PITTSBURGH — There’s a lot of new changes and innovations fans will experience when they head to a Penguins game this season. From the way fans buy food and drinks to safety protocols, there are many differences, including how fans can order gear right from their phones, and pick it up minutes later.
“The Penguins have always been about innovation,” said Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse, who led today’s behind-the scenes tour.
From contactless food kiosks, to reverse ATMs for a completely cash free experience, the Penguins have been planning these updates at PPG Paints arena even before the pandemic began.
“It just so happened as Covid hit, this also plays well into keeping people socially distanced,” said Morehouse.
“There’s a lot of new safety measures,” the Pens president and CEO described. “Everything is touchless, there’s 250 hand sanitizing stations around the arena, people are wearing masks except when they’re eating in their seats. And their seats are socially distanced.”
The experience is now entirely digital and cashless. Fans will scan their mobile tickets to enter the arena, and can even have their favorite food order ready for pickup minutes after they walk in. They can also order from the team store during the game, and pick up their order from their own designated locker.
Across the arena, there are grab-and-go stations where fans can grab a drink or a hot food item, walk over to self check out, scan, pay and be on their way.
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“Innovation is part of who we are,” said Morehouse. “We’re happy to be at the forefront of it and be able to tell some of these new products out.”
But fans shouldn’t be worried about using the new technology.
“Anywhere you have to use technology where you may not have had to use it in the past they’ll be people there to help you through it,” said Morehouse.
The Penguins are one of the only professional venues using this technology, and they’re excited about what the future holds. The organization hopes that next year fans will be able to pick up their food order from a designated locker like they can with the gear from the team store.
The Penguins’ next home game is Thursday, March 4th at 7 p.m. vs. the Flyers.
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