Blue Label Telecoms and Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced plan to introduce new near-field communication (NFC) technology into the ticketing system for cricket fans in South Africa.
While making this announcement, Cricket South Africa (CSA) disclosed that CSA will be the first national sports federation in South Africa to introduce the NFC technology already in use by various sporting codes in Europe and the USA.
The Group disclosed that the new innovative ticketing system enable supporters to buy tickets, parking, food and beverages on their smart phone.
Blue Label CTO, Dr David Fraser, said “the solution deployed for CSA uses NFC technology which means that tickets, vouchers, coupons, value and other information can be securely exchanged between the Love Cricket NFC card and an NFC reader/writer by simply bringing them near to each other. This means that the same card and same technology can be used for all aspects of the fan’s experience, both within and outside the stadium. This is an industry first.”
“By linking a Love Cricket NFC card with a fan’s mobile phone we bring the best of the real world and the Internet world together in a form with which people are familiar. Over time, as the number of NFC phones in circulation increases, we will allow virtual cards to be used on our fan’s phones eliminating the need to carry a separate card,” Fraser added.
He stated that for the 2014 season, the benefits of the Love Cricket NFC card would be offered exclusively to Love Cricket Silver and Gold members.
CSA chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, “We are very excited and, of course, proud to launch NFC technology in cricket. From the extensive research we have done over the past few seasons, fans have consistently raised the stadium experience as a focal issue for them,” says Lorgat.
“With partners like Blue Label Telecoms, we can now work towards enhancing the stadium experience for fans so that they can enjoy convenience and actively support the Proteas and the franchise teams live at stadiums,” Lorgat added.
CSA fans will be able to buy match tickets online from anywhere at any time by using a smart phone or PC.
