Southampton Partner with Contactless Payment Provider Barclaycard

Global payment business Barclaycard have signed an agreement with Southampton Football Club to distribute Barclaycard’s bPay bands to fans and expand the band’s functionality beyond contactless payments.

Following successful summer trials of the bPay band – a wearable contactless payment device – Barclaycard recently announced its intention to develop and offer an integrated wearables proposition for the sports and leisure industry.  Southampton Football Club supporters will become the first fans in the world to experience the pioneering technology after the club signed an agreement with Barclaycard to offer them an exclusive bPay band in the club’s colours.

bPay band by Barclaycard is a new way to pay. Worn on the wrist, it contains a contactless payment chip that is topped up with money from any UK debit or credit card and that is used to make quick, easy and secure payments for purchases of £20 and under wherever displays the contactless symbol. This includes across St Mary’s Stadium and at over 300,000 payment terminals across the UK.

Mike Saunders, Managing Director for Digital Consumer Payments at Barclaycard, said: “Barclaycard is at the forefront of contactless technology across the UK and our partnership with Southampton Football Club is an important next step in evolving our bPay technology into an integrated wearable proposition that does more than simply make payments effortless.

“Southampton FC’s loyal fans will be the first to wear an exclusive bPay band in their club’s colours, which will allow them to make fast, easy and secure contactless payments, and benefit from exclusive loyalty offers.

“We are really excited to be working with Southampton FC as they have shown a clear vision for incorporating technology across the fan experience and a passion for growing their understanding of what’s important for Saints supporters. By working with them we plan to develop an ‘all-in-one’ match day experience and enhance the way the club engages with its fans.

“We hope this partnership is the first of many opportunities in creating an integrated wearable device with benefits for both businesses and customers.”

Jochen Hartmann, Director of Commercial Operations at Southampton FC said: “Southampton Football club is very excited to be the first football club to partner with Barclaycard’s bPay band.

“This partnership hopefully clearly demonstrates our commitment both to driving innovation through every part of our football club, but also to providing the best experience for our fans, on match days and beyond.

“Southampton Football Club is constantly looking into ways of improving the experience of every football fan that comes to St Mary’s.”