Data from ETA member Visa Shows 1 in 5 Purchases at 2018 FIFA World Cup Use Contactless Tech

Foreign travelers at the 2018 FIFA World Cup are opting for contactless payments technology, especially while they are in the stadiums, a new analysis from ETA member and World Cup partner Visa has found.

Across the 11 Russian host cities, about 1 in 5 purchases with Visa used contactless payments technology like smartphones, wearables like bracelets, watches and rings, and contactless cards. In the stadiums themselves, where the speed and convenience of contactless payments can insure spectators don’t miss the game waiting to pay for their concessions, contactless use was 54 percent.

“Many of the international visitors attending this summer’s tournament have never been to Russia before and we’re excited to be providing them with the ultimate tournament experience, powered by the speed and ease of Visa’s digital payments, which are increasingly happening on contactless cards, devices and wearables,” said Ekaterina Petelina, country manager, Visa Russia, in a release. “In the stadiums particularly, fans are using contactless payment technology to speed through the lines and quickly get back to the action on the pitch.”

According to the release from Visa, fans in the World Cup stadiums can pay with contactless visa credit and debit cards, mobile payment services, and wearable devices at more than 3,500 POS devices and 1,000 mobile concessionaires.

Visa cardholders spent 3,575 rubles – or approximately $56.65 – per transaction on average, with fans from the United States spending the most, the release said. In Moscow, tourist spending topped 1.7 billion rubles, or $26.8 million, on the Visa network, the release said.