SF 49ers' Levi's Stadium Goes Cashless Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

SANTA CLARA, CA — When fans are able to return to stands at Levi's Stadium to watch the the San Francisco 49ers, they can leave their cash at home. The 49ers announced Monday that future events at the venue would only allow card or mobile payments going forward.

The shift will enable concessions staff and fans to minimize interactions amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But team officials said they had been edging toward a cashless system beforehand.

"While the move to fully cashless transactions in venue has advanced more quickly due to the ongoing health emergency, this is a direction we have been heading for several years and we know it's one that will further improve the fan experience at Levi's Stadium," said Al Guido, 49ers President in a statement.

While examining six years of operational data, Guido said that mobile payments steadily increased while cash payments were on the decline each year.

"And through our friends at Visa, we know contactless payments reduce transaction times, concessions lines, and some costs," Guido added.

But fans without any other payment options will be able to use an on-site cash-to-card kiosk that will allow attendees to exchange cash for a Visa-branded prepaid card for up to $100 with no transaction fee.

These kiosks will be accessible for Spanish speakers as well.

The Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons have already offered cashless payments, according to Fox Business.