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Major League Baseball teams have been in a precarious situation since the start of the pandemic.
While the 2020 season has been shortened to just 60 games, parts of 2021 have also been marred by waves of different viruses, mask mandates and other policies. Attendance numbers have obviously taken a hit as a result.
For nationalsand for the rest of the league, the 2022 campaign offers a fresh start – a potential post-pandemic world for major league ballparks. As Washington prepares for the season scheduled to kick off against the New York Mets on Thursday, the club is pushing for Nationals Park to be one of the most technologically advanced venues in the sport.
“The fan experience here is very important to us and we take an approach of using technology and innovation to empower that,” said Mike Carney. nationals‘ vice president of business strategy and operations.
nationals It unveiled its new offerings during a ballpark tour on Wednesday, showcasing everything from the new BetMGM Sportsbook to club grounds, food offerings, and stylish cherry blossom-themed apparel at the team store. But a theme spread throughout the tour – nationals technology is involved in everything.
Gone are the days of withdrawing money to buy dogs and beer. Heck, you may not even have to get up from your seat to buy merchandise.
nationals Since last season, it has been improving mobile orders as well as increasing its cashless payment options. Fans can even order jerseys or hats and have merchandise delivered to their seats using the MLB Ballpark App.
Carney said the focus on technology is aimed at solving the ballpark’s “long line problem,” a problem at many MLB stadiums. With a maximum occupancy of more than 40,000, lines are inevitable. But with mobile ordering and new concession kiosks, the team hopes fans can use the seventh hit range to get some ice cream without missing the subframe.
“We have 40,000 fans here for a full house like opening day and we want to deliver to all 40,000 fans,” Carney said. “Many times, if you’ve been to a ballpark, even in the National Park there are long queues – for ice cream, beer. We’re really trying to solve the long line problem. The best way to solve this is technology.”
Jonathan Stahl, the team’s vice president of experience and hospitality, said 40% of food orders were placed over the phone last season, with Nationals Park ranking first in MLB for mobile ordering.
But what about former fans of the team, especially those who are not adept at using technology?
“You can’t distribute technology just for the sake of technology. The best way to adopt for your fans is to meet them where they are,” Carney said. “We have a great staff here to help people understand tech, if they have tangible points.”
More evidence of the team’s over-focus on high-tech can be found in two new club grounds for the wealthiest Nationals fans. Both areas are supported by companies that describe themselves as futuristic. One is a sponsor of The Terra Club, an expensive, upscale space that has replaced cryptocurrency exchange Terra. nationals The Club that hopes the cryptocurrency can be used as payment in the park from 2023. The other is technology payments provider FIS, which hosts the 18,000-square-foot FIS Champions Club dedicated to the team’s 2019 championship team.
Another thing Nationals fans can do from their phones in the park is to place bets on the BetMGM Sportsbook app. The BetMGM location next to the midfield gate is the first active retail sportsbook attached to an MLB stadium. While fans cannot leave the park to place bets inside the venue during the game, they can stop before entering the stadium or place bets on their phones.
“We are happy to make history here at Nationals Park,” said Chris Gumiela, BetMGM’s vice president of marketing. “We’re really excited to be a part of this.”
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