Dijon FCO to replace season tickets with NFC-chip scarves, a French first

Published Aug 16, 04:40 PM UTC

Dijon FCO, a second-tier French soccer club, has launched an innovative initiative for the 2026-27 season: replacing traditional season ticket cards with club scarves embedded with near-field communication (NFC) chips. Fans can enter the Stade Gaston Gerard by scanning a small embroidered owl patch on the scarf at turnstiles. The scarves also function as a cashless payment wallet for concessions. The initiative, developed with ticketing company Weezevent (whose CEO is also Dijon's club president), aims to modernize the fan experience and strengthen the club's visual identity. While a first in France, similar systems have been trialed by FC Koln and permanently adopted by FC St Gallen. The article notes other NFC-based fan innovations, such as Mexico's 'Jersey Pay' and Atletico Mineiro's chip-enabled shirts.