Ajax supporters visiting the Johan Cruijff ArenA can now pick up food and drinks without standing in line at a traditional checkout.
The stadium is launching a trial of automated kiosks that allow visitors to walk in, grab their items, and leave while the payment processes automatically in the background.
To access the self-service bars, fans scan their phone using payment services like Apple Pay or Google Pay at an entry gate.
How the tracking technology works
Once inside, a network of intelligent cameras and tracking technology detects which products a visitor takes off the shelves.
When the guest exits through the gate, the system tallies the selected items and charges the connected account directly.
Stadium management confirmed that the system operates without facial recognition or biometric data collection to protect visitor privacy.
The system tracks individual shoppers anonymously throughout the space, identifying items moved from the shelves rather than personal features.
Debuting during upcoming matches
The new setup opens to the public during the upcoming friendly match between Ajax and English club Burnley.
Fans attending the European qualifiers later in the week will also get the chance to use the updated kiosk layout.
If successful, the system could help reduce the long queues that routinely form during halftime breaks and before kickoff.
Part of a broader push for automation
The stadium initiative is part of a growing trend toward check-out-free technology across Amsterdam.
Local transport operator GVB recently completed tests at Amsterdam Centraal Station involving hands-free ticket gates that allow metro passengers to pass through without tapping a card.
If these automated trials prove reliable, similar friction-free payment setups could gradually become more common across public venues in the city.
