How a national second division could use mobile-only ticketing

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While mobile ticketing has been around for over a decade, its presence is only increasing with some sporting events starting to move to mobile-only ticketing.

In 2019, U.S. Soccer extended a deal with its official ticketing provider Ticketmaster. The deal included plans to use Ticketmaster Presence a platform which replaces paper tickets with digital passes.

Most MLS clubs have been moving to mobile ticketing over the last few years with the Seattle Sounders in 2016 becoming the first MLS team to go fully mobile.

The MLS offers mobile ticketing via the league’s official app and MLS club apps.

There are now many ticketing platforms which offer mobile ticketing.

Australian soccer could use a platform such as TicketCo.

TicketCo was launched in 2013 with an aim to create a user-friendly ticketing solution.

“By providing a frictionless payment journey for the public and a single point of administration for the event organiser, TicketCo is creating the best value for both users and organisers. Through TicketCo organisers can sell both tickets, food and beverages, merchandise and accommodation,” TicketCo said on their website.

Here are the major reasons why Australian soccer should consider a move to mobile only ticketing.

COVID safe

The contactless aspect to mobile ticketing makes the technology extremely important as the FFA will be looking into how to get as many fans into stadiums safely during the pandemic.

TicketCo UK Country Manager David Kenny told fc business of the tracking and tracing ability of the TicketCo platform.

“Our traceability feature can enable football clubs to accurately record the details of everyone who enters the stadium. It works by scanning the ID of the supporter, or colleague when they enter the stadium, via a smartphone or tablet,” Kenny said.

“The information would then be stored accordance with GDPR regulation for the period required by the government for tracing. Once the time frame expires the data would automatically be deleted via an automated process.”

Self-scanning technology for mobile tickets is already in place at the major stadiums in Australia. While it may be expensive for NPL clubs to put this technology in place, it can be integrated quickly.

TicketCo can be integrated into a stadium within two weeks.

David Kenny also believes that the technology is “accessible and affordable to all clubs”.

Convenience and flexibility

Some US colleges have also decided to use mobile only ticketing for their sporting events based on the convenience and flexibility mobile ticketing offers. For the 2020/21 seasons the University of Arkansas and Florida Atlantic University have opted to move to digital ticketing systems.

Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at the University of Arkansas, Hunter Yurachek said that mobile ticketing options had been successful in previous seasons.

“Whether it is transferring tickets to family or friends, getting the latest update on gameday changes or self-scanning themselves into the event, our fans now can manage their tickets, at their convenience, by utilizing their smart phones,” he said

“No longer do fans need to worry about forgetting tickets at home or in the car. With mobile ticketing, our fans literally have all of the gameday options they need right in the palm of their hand.”

Florida Atlantic University shared a similar sentiment when announcing their move to mobile only ticketing.

“(A) new and convenient way for fans to access tickets to FAU home games directly on their smartphone. Ease and flexibility to transfer tickets to friends and family,” they said.

Live-streaming

The TicketCo platform can also be used to live-stream matches with both pay-per-view and video on demand options for TicketCo TV.

David Kenny said that the live streams can be viewed on Apple TV and Android TV.

“If stadiums remain closed live streaming will become a key issue. And once physical crowds are welcomed back clubs can simply host ‘hybrid events’ by selling tickets to the stadium alongside virtual tickets,” he said.

“Introducing a robust live streaming solution now will be a sound long term investment for football clubs.”

Either by using the TicketCo platform or adapting similar technology into its own My Football Live app the FFA could create a single area where fans would be able to access both live-streams and tickets.

This would make it very straightforward for fans to have their tickets or view live-streams for Socceroos, Matildas, A-League, W-League, NPL and the new National second division matches.

Data

The data from mobile ticketing, can tell organisers who bought tickets, who tickets were transferred to and who actually attended the event. This would be useful to help market the game.

The demographics of attendees could be analysed to give the FFA an specific idea of who their audience is.

With several benefits to mobile only ticketing, digital only tickets could soon become a reality for Australian soccer.

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Immersiv.io: Redefining Live Sports Viewing with AR

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Image credit: Immersiv.io

Founded in 2016 in Paris by Emmanuelle Roger (CEO) and Stéphane Guerin (CTO), Immersiv.io has become a global leader in Augmented Reality (AR) sports technology.

With a vision to revolutionise fan engagement, the company combines computer vision, machine learning, and AR to create immersive, interactive experiences for sports audiences worldwide.

Now operating on an international scale, the company collaborates with major leagues and sports brands like the Bundesliga, redefining the way audiences interact with the game.

Immersiv.io Revolutionises Live Sports Viewing with AR Technology

A New Era of Sports entertainment

Immersiv.io is transforming how fans experience live sports, bringing a new level of interactivity through Spatial Computing and augmented reality (AR).

By integrating ultra-live data and immersive visuals, their AR-powered solution, Arise, enhances engagement and offers personalised experiences like never before.

Immersiv.io’s award-winning platform, Arise, is one of many new-age sports technologies that are destined to completely transform the viewing experience and shift away from the traditional TV viewing experience.

With a 75% engagement rate, Immersiv.io’s technology is redefining fan participation, letting audiences take control of the live action in ways that were previously unimaginable.

Interactive Sports Viewing with AR

The Arise system provides real-time insights and contextual overlays, ensuring fans are more connected to the game than ever before. Key features include:

  • On-Top Video Insights – Interactive statistics and insights displayed directly on the live video feed.
  • 3D Companion Experience – In-depth game analysis through a dynamic 3D representation of key plays.
  • In-Arena Overlays – Real-time game data overlaid onto the actual pitch for an enhanced live stadium experience.

This innovative approach allows fans to access and interact with crucial match data in real-time, providing a more immersive and engaging experience whether watching at home, in a stadium, or on the go.

Proven Success Across Multiple Sports

Immersiv.io’s AR technology has already been deployed across various sporting leagues and competitions, enhancing the way fans consume live sports. Partnering with major AR tech providers, the system is compatible with leading devices, including Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, Magic Leap, and Snapchat AR.

Industry Leaders Praise ARISE

Sports executives have recognised the impact of Immersiv.io’s technology:

“We want to give fans the possibility to gain knowledge and better experience the football game.”
— Andreas Heyden, ex-CEO DFL Digital Sports GmbH

“Our customers were impressed with the app—it gave them a new dimension and more engaging way to watch football. This data-driven viewing approach allows them to better understand the game than ever before.”
— Andy Kwong, VP Sports Content Dev, PCCW Media Limited

Maximising Digital ROI for Clubs & Broadcasters

Beyond fan engagement, Arise offers significant commercial benefits for teams, leagues, and broadcasters:

Strengthening Audience Growth – Boost sign-ups and subscriptions with personalised content and data-driven analytics.
Expanding Revenue Streams – Unlock new sponsorship and advertising opportunities with interactive brand placements.
White-Label Integration – Fully customisable to fit a brand’s identity, with seamless SDK-based integration into existing platforms or as a standalone app.

How this would transform Australian football viewing experiences

Immersiv.io’s AR technology could transform Australian football’s viewing experience, making matches more engaging and interactive.

At the moment on Paramount+, viewers are subject to a broadcast with very limited graphics, statistics and technology which can potentially lure in a more engaged audience.

This innovation could attract younger audiences, boost broadcast value, and create new revenue streams through sponsorships and premium fan experiences.

By modernising how football is consumed, AR technology could help grow the sport’s popularity and increase its commercial appeal in Australia.

Conclusion

As AR technology continues to evolve, Immersiv.io is at the forefront of revolutionising the way sports are watched, experienced, and monetised. By merging live data with immersive technology, they are paving the way for the next generation of sports entertainment.

A-League Transfer Revenue Soars as Youth Development Takes Centre Stage

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Image credit: Imago

The A-League reported last week that Australia’s international transfer revenue has increased by a staggering 1344% over the past three years.

With 2023/24 recording transfer revenue of $16.5 million and 2024/25 reaching $16.9 million, these figures represent a significant improvement compared to the 2022 season, which recorded just $4.17 million in revenue.

This growth coincides with recent data from the A-League showing that the 2024/25 season has seen 39% of A-League minutes played by under-23 players, compared to just 18% in the 2023/24 season and 13% in the 2022/23 season.

This indicates that this season alone has seen a 26% increase in overall minutes played by young players since 2022.

The result of this rise in youth talent is evident with Australia qualifying for the Under-20 Men’s World Cup for the first time in more than a decade and, just last week, lifting the trophy at the Under-20 Asian Cup.

The A-League’s recent success in youth playing time is directly intertwined with the rise in transfer revenue.

This increase in youth participation has emerged as a silver lining from tough times in the league.

In the most recent “Off the Pitch” podcast from Soccerscene, guest speaker Gary Cole, current president of Football Coaches Australia, provided his professional insight into one of these situations.

He explained that the COVID-19 crisis and the financial constraints placed on A-League clubs forced them to look inwards for talent.

Another recent catalyst has been the reduction in funding from the Australian Professional Leagues.

With funding decreasing from $2 million to $500,000 in 2024, clubs have faced difficult financial decisions regarding their budgets.

Players from club academies or even NPL clubs are far more cost-effective for club budgets than more expensive signings.

Additionally, their selling and transfer value provides a huge boost to club revenues.

These events are not coincidental but are catalysts for the rise in homegrown talent testing their skills and showcasing their quality on the big stage.

It demonstrates how, during tough times for the league, supporting youth development has become a key part of the league’s success and represents a profitable and dynamic opportunity for the future.

This opportunity to produce and showcase players to increase Australian youth football standards and therefore transfer value is a proven strategy in football.

Ajax’s Academy is renowned for developing class players and has for many years been a funnel for building their academy graduates and selling players for a profit.

In South America, Brazilian and Argentinian clubs such as River Plate, Boca Juniors, Fluminense and Flamengo have been persistent sources of footballing talent.

Selling stars like Vinicius and Julian Alvarez to Europe for significant financial benefits while still maintaining a healthy domestic talent structure and international success.

Importantly, the common factor in these successful systems is regular first-team minutes at their clubs and even on the international stage.

The evidence from A-League transfer revenues is fitting this pattern.

One must point out that, though this is a great revenue source and a way to place Australian football on the map, this focus can have an adverse effect on the domestic scene.

Football fans are passionate about their clubs, and nothing brings out more pride than watching one of their own prospects grow and play for them.

To use academy players primarily as revenue-building prospects can undermine the important place they have at the club and the overall goal of academies.

This could potentially alienate fan bases, impacting popularity and therefore the quality and financial interests of the league.

Transfer revenue should not be the central response to the league’s current financial burdens.

Being realistic about the position of the A-League in the international football hierarchy is crucial, though ambitions for the league to climb cannot be sidelined.

The rise in player transfer revenue presents an enticing prospect for investment and brings increased popularity.

Players themselves also have their own dreams and aspirations that must be taken into account, which can also encourage transfers and revenue.

Currently, the A-League has the unique opportunity to give its promising young players the chance to play top-level football while producing significant revenue and attracting sponsorship.

Australians playing overseas and at home, puts Australia on the map and solidifies our rise in the footballing scene.

If the focus on homegrown talent is managed well, Australian football will reap huge rewards.

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