The New York Red Bulls are implementing several new enhancements ahead of the 2019 MLS season, as part of a multi-year initiative to improve the fan experience at Red Bull Arena. New video boards have been installed and the team is putting a greater emphasis on mobile ticketing and cashless payment options.

Daktronics is installing two new LED video boards on the north and south ends of the arena. They will measure 24 feet high by 55 feet wide, twice as large as the previous screens at Red Bull Arena. They’ll also provide wide-angle visibility and have the ability to show instant replays, graphics, and statistics, as well as live video. The boards will also be capable of being divided into multiple zones to show a combination of content during a match.

“Our club’s ongoing commitment toward the loyal fans and partners continues to be our highest priority,” said Marc de Grandpre, New York Red Bulls GM, in a press release. “We strive to create a convenient, safe and memorable experience for everyone who steps foot into Red Bull Arena.”

Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., opened in 2010 and currently seats 25,000 fans. That number will be lower for the 2019 season, as certain sections at the stadium will be closed due to construction. Access to Red Bull Arena will be via mobile ticketing-only beginning in 2019, meaning fans arriving at the gate must upload and present their tickets on their smartphones to enter the arena. Fans can access their tickets by downloading the free Red Bulls mobile app. Season ticket holders will receive a digital Member Card that can be accessed via the Red Bulls mobile app in the coming weeks, according to the team.

“Mobile ticketing will provide guests of Red Bull Arena a safe and convenient ticketing experience while increasing protection against fraud,” the Red Bulls’ press release states.

While select stands at Red Bull Arena will accept cash in 2019, most of the venue’s concession stands, food portables, merchandise stands, and the official team store will only accept electronic forms of payment. The new digital transactional units at Red Bull Arena will accept credit cards, mobile phone payments, and all other stored payments in an effort to decrease checkout time. The first 2019 Red Bulls home game will be an exhibition match played Feb. 27 against Atletico Pantoja, from the Dominican Republic, while the club’s home-MLS opener comes Mar. 16 against the San Jose Earthquakes.

SportTechie Takeaway

Mobile-only ticketing to enter stadiums excludes those that do not own smartphones, but those devices have become almost ubiquitous, and the Red Bulls are not the first MLS team to make the switch. Sporting Kansas City has also moved to mobile-entry only for 2019 home matches, while the Detroit Tigers will do the same during the upcoming MLB season. The Red Bulls are not going entirely cash-free in 2019, unlike the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, but a 100 percent cashless payment system may be introduced at Red Bull Arena soon. Visa and the NFL also anticipate a cashless Super Bowl in the near future.