How are smart payments helping major events thrive?

Picture 80,000 fans flooding through the Allianz Stadium, or hundreds of thousands of Glastonbury attendees making over a million transactions in a weekend. The UK’s major events sector is thriving. Live music generated a record £6.1bn in 2024 and sporting events have contributed billions more.

However, these high-footfall venues face a key challenge: efficiently processing massive transaction volumes while meeting the lofty expectations of customers.

What’s more, the shift to cashless operations has intensified this challenge. Major events now operate as fully cashless spaces, removing cash-handling risks but placing enormous demands on payment infrastructure during peak periods. With attendees at these events having a high-spend per head, every processing delay represents significant lost revenue potential.

For venue operators, implementing sophisticated payment solutions is essential for capturing the full revenue potential these crowds represent. Smart payment solutions are now transforming how major events manage operations, enhance the fan experience, and maximise revenue. 

Thriving with smart payments 

For high-footfall events, modern smart solutions deliver measurable benefits designed specifically for high-capacity environments, enabling: 

• Transaction Speed Optimisation: Systems engineered to process payments faster than traditional methods, enabling venues to handle 100,000+ attendees without creating bottlenecks during key periods.
• All-inclusive Package Management: RFID/QR technology integration for tracking pre-paid entitlements while maintaining inventory control across multiple concession points.
• Dynamic Data Utilisation: Real-time transaction analytics enabling instant operational adjustments during events and strategic planning for future pricing.
• Revenue Loss Protection: Payment solutions with offline processing capabilities to ensure no transaction fails due to network disruption.

Smart payments deliver real results for major venues

We’ve already seen that these systems lead to transformative outcomes in venues across the country. After all, at major events, efficiency and convenience are everything.

With self-service kiosks, fans can quickly grab a drink and pay instantly via contactless or mobile payments, keeping crowds moving and reducing the need for extra staff. This frictionless approach leads to happier customers and reduced operational costs.

Beyond just speed, smart payment systems generate invaluable data. Every single transaction becomes actionable, helping event organisers understand peak demand, popular items, and attendee spending patterns. This means vendors can create personalised promotions, optimise inventory, and take their future events to the next level.

And as technology evolves, so do smart payment options. AI-driven pricing, VR shopping experiences, and mobile payment solutions are already changing the game, making transactions faster and more seamless than ever.

Of course, making all this work takes the right tools and expertise. Secure payment systems, reliable tech infrastructure, and seamless integration are all key. With the right approach, smart payments don’t just process transactions, they create a better experience for everyone.

Partnering for the future

The future of high-footfall events demands payment infrastructure that delivers under pressure and solutions that are built to process thousands of transactions per minute.

This is precisely where FEP PAY’s expertise becomes invaluable. From Silverstone to Lord’s, our team has developed and deployed payment systems that consistently deliver when it matters most. Our proven track record of implementing cashless solutions and supporting all-inclusive ticketing models makes FEP PAY the trusted payment partner for venues where performance at scale is essential.

Smart payments aren’t just about technology, they’re about understanding the specific demands of each venue and event. With FEP PAY, you gain more than a payment provider; you secure a partner committed to maximising every revenue opportunity your venue creates.

Get in contact with one of our payment specialists today.