New PopID Partner Can Bring Face-based Payments and Ticketing to International Arenas

PopID’s face-based payment technology will soon be appearing in large public venues all over the world thanks to a new partnership with ASM Global. ASM Global’s portfolio includes more than 300 convention centers, arenas, stadiums, and theaters, and it is planning to deploy PopID’s tech to provide visitors with a more seamless fan experience.

The rollout began at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego on April 20, and will continue with installations at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, and Toyota Arena and the Save Mart Center in Ontario and Fresno, California, respectively. PopID is based in Southern California (and first gained traction with restaurants in the area), and recently partnered with Visa and Dubai Holding to bring its technology to the Middle East. Dubai Holding indicated that the PopPay payments platform would be heading to Coca-Cola Arena when the deal was announced.

ASM Global, meanwhile, is positioning the move as part of a broader transformation effort. PopID’s platform allows registered users to link payment information to their facial biometrics, which in turn allows people to pay for goods with a facial recognition scan at participating vendors. However, facial recognition can also be used for ticketing purposes, or to provide more personalized services for VIP patrons. ASM Global believes that faster and frictionless interactions will make fans feel more comfortable as they return during the pandemic.

“When customers opt to enroll in our platform, they’ll be able to enter the venue by requesting facial verification at the gate – instead of having to rely on a QR code on their phone,” explained PopID CEO John Miller.

“The deployment of this technology in our venues represents the beginning of a revolutionary change in the entertainment world,” added ASM Global President and CEO Ron Bension. “The PopID platform will allow us to eliminate the dependence on cards and phones at our events and ensure that every guest interaction is secure, speedy, and seamless.”

The PopID tech debuted during an AHL game between the San Diego Gulls and the Abottsford Canucks. The company started moving forward with a national expansion in the US in September of 2021.

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April 21, 2022 – by Eric Weiss