Sports Fans to Catch More Action when Making Purchases with MasterCard PayPass

Sports Fans to Catch More Action when Making Purchases with MasterCard PayPass

Several Arenas Join Football and Baseball Stadiums by Accepting Contactless Payments to Improve the Fan Experience

Purchase, NY, April 16, 2007–MasterCard Worldwide today announced that three arenas, home to three National Hockey League (NHL), two National Basketball Association (NBA) teams and an array of special events are accepting MasterCard® PayPass™, a contactless payment option. Now fans can pay for concessions using MasterCard PayPass, which delivers speed and convenience at the register when making purchases. American Airlines Center, United Center and XCel Energy Center, homes of the Dallas Stars and Mavericks, Chicago Blackhawks and Bulls, and Minnesota Wild respectively, will accept PayPass at in-stadium concession stands just in time for the playoffs.

Fans will now be able to catch more of their team’s action during the season’s home stretch and crucial playoff run. Consumers purchasing concessions need only tap their PayPass-enabled card or device on specially-equipped terminals. In addition, no signature or PIN is required to complete the transaction for purchases under $25. Sports fans in Chicago who also attend baseball or football games will already be familiar with the technology, as it was deployed at Soldier Field, U.S. Cellular Field and Wrigley Field prior to the 2006 seasons (in addition to thousands of other merchants throughout the U.S.).

“Every second counts when you’re a fan of games as fast as hockey or basketball, and you certainly do not want to miss a song when you’re at a concert,” said T.J. Sharkey, Group Head, National Accounts, U.S. Commerce Development, MasterCard Worldwide. “With the NBA and NHL playoff races in full force, momentum can shift in the blink of an eye, and PayPass will help ensure that fans of these teams don’t miss the action stuck in long lines.”

“MasterCard PayPass will drastically speed up the payment process at our concession stands so that our guests quickly get back to their seats to enjoy the game or event,” said Lori Glasser-Seinera, Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Sales, American Airlines Center. “American Airlines Center will be able to serve more customers faster, which will create a better fan experience, while also helping to drive our concession sales.”

Ten football and 12 baseball stadiums have already adopted MasterCard PayPass, and it was accepted at 14 PGA Tour events during the 2006 season. “Sporting events are an obvious fit for the benefits of contactless payments because every attendee has somewhere they would rather be than standing in line,” added Sharkey. “We’re pleased with how the category has overwhelmingly embraced PayPass.”

Baseball stadiums equipped with MasterCard PayPass are Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals), Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies), Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles Dodgers), Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox), Great American Ballpark (Cincinnati Reds), Jacobs Field (Cleveland Indians), PETCO Park (San Diego Padres), Shea Stadium (New York Mets), Turner Field (Atlanta Braves), U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox), Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs) and Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees).

Football stadiums equipped with MasterCard PayPass are Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City), Dolphin Stadium (Miami), FedEx Field (Washington D.C.), Ford Field (Detroit), Giants Stadium (New York/New Jersey), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore), Qwest Field (Seattle), Soldier Field (Chicago) and University of Phoenix Stadium (Arizona).

How MasterCard PayPass Works

MasterCard PayPass uses radio frequency technology to transmit payment details wirelessly between the PayPass device and the merchant’s terminal. The transaction is then processed through the MasterCard network for clearing and settlement. PayPass cards include magnetic stripe technology, so the cards can also be used in the traditional manner anywhere MasterCard is accepted around the world. PayPass technology can also be used in a number of non-card devices, such as a convenient payment tag that fits on a key chain for easy access.

About MasterCard PayPass

MasterCard PayPass is ideal for traditional cash-heavy environments where speed is essential, and has led the way in bringing contactless technology to consumer categories such as quick serve restaurants, drug stores, gas stations, vending machines, convenience stores, sports arenas, movie theaters, transit systems and parking garages. There are currently nearly 13 million PayPass cards and devices in the market, and PayPass is currently accepted globally at 46,000 merchant locations, including participating 7-Eleven, CVS, McDonald’s, Regal Entertainment Group theaters and many others. PayPass is also accepted at numerous football and baseball stadiums. For more information about MasterCard PayPass and a full list of participating merchants, visit http://www.mastercard.com/PayPass.

About MasterCard Worldwide

MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 16 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to http://www.mastercard.com.

Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

With the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein described, including but not limited to, the ability of the Company to increase revenues in the future due to the developing and unpredictable markets for its products, the ability to achieve a positive cash flow from operations, the ability to obtain operating profit, the ability to obtain orders for its energy management products, the ability to obtain new customers and the ability to commercialize its products, which could cause actual results or revenues to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements.