UEFA using a blockchain-based ticketing system for Euro 2020

UEFA Euro 2020, one of the biggest European football events has announced it’s ground-breaking new blockchain-based mobile ticketing system aimed to enhance the fan experience.  The new system will make entry into the stadium smooth, safe and secure by preventing the replication and duplication of tickets, with QR codes only being activated by Bluetooth once fans are in close proximity to the stadium. The association has been testing blockchain tickets for more than 18 months. It says 110,000 tickets (more than 80%) were issued using the system for the UEFA Nations League finals in June 2019.

Fans can transfer tickets to guests using the app but as per video, shown below, launched by UEFA  shows that the recipient’s identity is required. UEFA also says it contributes to its sustainability goals by reducing the use of paper.

Fans who purchased UEFA Euro 2020 tickets during the December 2019 sales phase and later sales phases closer to the tournament will receive their tickets as mobile tickets via the UEFA Euro 2020 mobile tickets app. The app will be available for download towards the end of May 2020 for Android and iOS phones. Mobile tickets will be delivered to the app no later than seven days before the match. In total, UEFA expects to deliver over one million mobile tickets to fans across all 51 matches.

There have already been a number of football teams who have adopted  blockchain technology.  The Portuguese football club SL Benfica announced in 2019 a partnership with the cryptocurrency company, UTrustto enable crypto payment options for fans.  Similarly, the European football club AS Roma reportedly partnered blockchain-based voting platform Socios to launch a fan token and provide fans with voting rights concerning club-delegated decisions. More recently, Spanish giants FC Barcelona signed a partnership with Chiliz to create a crypto token for the football club.