Whilst it is not a new system, with smaller events making use of the technology, Download Festival are the first major UK festival to make the leap and go completely cashless. This move to cashless is just another example of Download Festival keeping ahead of the game. The system will be in place across the site with the festival promising a reduction in queues and heightened personal security over your money - not bad then!
With it being the first year there will naturally be concerns over it, but the festival have done very well to quash these providing five clear points on how it's all going to work:
- We’ll exchange your physical ticket for your personal Dog Tag (exactly in the same way as you normally would).
- The Dog Tag will be pre-loaded with the funds you’ve added in advance.
- Throughout the weekend, you’ll pay for food, merch and drinks with Dog Tag and your balance will automatically update (receipts will be issued as normal).
- If you run out of credit, there will be loads of top up points on-site which you can top up using your debit or credit card, or via the website or Download app (did we mention free wi-fi this year?).
- And if you’ve got credit leftover, you’ll automatically be refunded to your profile after Download’s finished. Which is rubbish and awesome at the same time.
Upon receiving your ticket visit downloadfestival.co.uk/rfid-dog-tags and register your profile and link your ticket. At this point you will be able to start loading money on to the dog tag!
For more extensive explanations on how it is all going to work please visit the Download Festival Info page - downloadfestival.co.uk/info
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