Mastercard works with sports clubs to bring together two passions 

Thursday's press conference was marked by a unique technological experience marking the first exclusive look at the chatbot created by Mastercard and FC Maribor, FC Bravo and HC Celje. It will enable fans to interact with their favourite club before and after matches, to order and pay for tickets for the much-anticipated derby quickly and simply, and to order and pay for the food and drinks they want from the comfort of their seat by avoiding the stadium crowds so they do not miss a single moment of the action on the pitch. 

"As a technology company with a great passion for sports, we constantly strive to create innovations that enhance the user experience. In cooperation with FC Maribor, FC Bravo and HC Celje, we have set out to develop a chatbot that combines two of Mastercard's most important passions - the desire for continuous technological advancement and the cultivation of a passion for sports and connecting with local clubs. We are delighted to have the opportunity to help local communities go digital and offer fans a brand new advanced service,"  said Aleš Petejan, Head of marketing, Mastercard Slovenija at the chatbot launch. 

From fun and entertainment for the user to improved efficiency for the company

Globally, chatbots are becoming increasingly popular digital companions for businesses. Integrated into websites or deployed as standalone applications, they automate many processes that used to require many man-hours, making businesses more efficient and competitive. Their availability and responsiveness are an advantage in attracting potential customers and they also deliver a more transparent and effective search experience on companies' websites. Also, in the current uncertain times when contacts have become very limited, they offer users an entertaining user experience and a sense of belonging to a community that we, as a society, should not neglect. 

The chatbot for Slovenian sports clubs has been developed by 2Mobile and will be available to users across three different channels: Apple Business Chat, Facebook Messenger and Viber. It is the world's first chatbot to promote contactless payments, resulting in shorter queues for snacks during matches and tickets. It personalises sports clubs by turning them into a "chat" friend who helps fans’ wishes come true. 

"At a time when society is accelerating its digital transformation and the low-contact economy is gaining ground, conversational marketing offers immense opportunities for communication between brands and consumers. I am extremely pleased that this opportunity was also recognized by Mastercard in connection with engagement in sports marketing. Sports chatbots, which enable communication, online purchases and payments, as well as community building between sports fans and sports clubs, represent another innovation on a global scale, where Mastercard as the initiator, 2Mobile as the developer and LivePerson technology platform as the technology solution provider have joined forces and expertise. I am convinced that the new business model not only simplifies the user experience but also opens up the opportunity for other brands as well as sports clubs to open continuous direct communication with their fans," said Matjaž Možina, CEO of 2Mobile 

Rok Plankelj, HC Celje CEO, emphasized: "As a successful regional handball club, we have a long tradition of developing strategic partnerships with our sponsors. At the same time, we are always open to innovations that bring more value to our fans. In the past, we have worked with Mastercard to develop communication tools and solutions that benefit our fans and partners, including making Zlatorog the first cashless arena in Slovenia. We are now taking one step further, using a virtual assistant to bring the club closer to all stakeholders and provide quick information that is relevant to our fans. The ability to order drinks and snacks from your seat in the arena is just icing on the cake. We thank Mastercard and everyone involved for making this project a reality today.”

Bojan Ban, director of FC Maribor, said: "We are proud that our shared story continues and evolves. Mastercard is now a constant and indispensable factor in the role of FC Maribor’s technology partner. The emotional bonds between the fans and the club are intertwined. Because we are aware of the importance of the Slovenian team with the most trophies in the public eye, we are working hard to constantly grow the brand of FC Maribor. We are doing this through various projects that are growing month by month. The new project will reflect our time and will utilize modern approaches to realize the desire to combine pleasure with utility. We cannot escape modern trends and technology is advancing so we are introducing the next in a series of innovations. In the meantime, Ljudski vrt has become the first cashless stadium in Slovenia, we have launched the family-friendly stadium initiative, and the official mobile app. Now, we are expanding our partnership with Mastercard with a virtual assistant. Digitalization is not the future, it is the present and we are well aware of that. With the new West Stand, the comfort of visiting Ljudski vrt is at an unprecedented level and the introduction of new technology will deliver additional benefits." 

Matjaž Polanič, business director of FC Bravo, explained: “We are suspended between the physical and digital worlds, which complement and extend each other. Playing sports and watching games from your living room can never evoke the same emotions as watching a live game with friends and other fans from the stands. However, clubs should not be afraid of the digital world and should embrace it instead. Looking around the world, we can see that sport is already making good use of the digital environment to enable interactive communication with fans, followers, members, partners and other stakeholders. And we are taking the chatbot we implemented in partnership with Mastercard to extend this communication and take it into a new era. Additionally, the chatbot will greatly improve fans’ experience at the match. At half-time, we all used to rushed to the sales booth for drinks and food. Now we'll be able to use the chatbot to order food and drinks from the stands and use the half-time for socialising with friends and other activities instead of standing in the queue."

FC Maribor and FC Mura will be the first to test out the sports clubs’ chatbot at the match in Ljudski vrt in Maribor on Sunday, 19 September 2021. In parallel with the football spectacle, a match between the fans of FC Maribor and FC Mura will take place in the Ljudski vrt sports stands. Fans will have the chance to try out the chatbot in a very unique way, as they will compete in ordering their sports clubs' hamburgers alongside an exciting match.