Mercari Stadium: "Completely Cashless" Information


watch games with more freedom and comfort.
 
mercari stadium is evolving into a "smart stadium." 

 


a more free and comfortable game viewing experience.
 
mercari stadium
is evolving into a "smart stadium." 

 

Starting from the 2026/27 season, all payments at Mercari Stadium during home games will become completely cashless (with some exceptions, such as permanent stores).

 

This initiative aims to reduce congestion and waiting times at food, beverage, and merchandise stands, creating a smoother and more comfortable spectating environment.

Overview

Cashless Payment Participating Stores

Payment methods

For those without cashless payment options

Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Overview of "Completely Cashless"

As a general rule, we do not accept cash payments.

■Background of Introduction

In addition to improving hygiene through contactless solutions and streamlining payments, we aim to achieve a safer, more secure, and advanced smart stadium by leveraging payment data to enhance services and optimize store operations.

For its implementation, we are working on environmental improvements such as "establishing dedicated lines for payment terminals" and "increasing the number of payment terminals in each concession stand."

■Implementation Period
From the home opener of the 2026/27 season [August 15 (Saturday), Matchday 2 vs. Nagoya Grampus]

■Target Matches
・2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League

・2026/27 J.League YBC Levain Cup

・Emperor's Cup JFA 106th Japan Football Championship


*For operations during other matches with different organizers (e.g., AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27), we will make an announcement once details are decided.

  • Applicable stores

All shops inside Mercari Stadium and some shops outside the stadium

・In-stadium and outdoor food and beverage vendors
・Special booths by partner companies (food and beverage, merchandise sales, events, etc.)
・Merchandise store
・Kids' Park
・Kids' House
・Kashima Soccer Museum
・Same-day ticket sales counter

*Stores not subject to complete cashless payment:

・Special booths organized by the government (food and drink, merchandise sales, events, etc.)

・Toso Meat Center

・Vending machines on the premises

・Permanently operating stadium stores (Antlers Sports Clinic, Antlers Sports Dock, Antlers Sports Trainers, Antlers Skincare, Mineral Spa Arashi)

*During the Emperor's Cup, only cash will be accepted at the ticket counter.

  • Available Payment Methods

Shops other than the merchandise store and Kashima Soccer Museum

Credit Card

QR Code

E-money

*Payment methods may differ at partner company booths. In such cases, we will inform you via the spectator guide or similar means.

*Payment methods differ for the "Peryton Furfur," "Fisherman's Hut," and "Antlers Hometown DMO Booth" gourmet stalls outside the stadium. Please check at each store.

Title

ANTLERS OFFICIAL STORE STADIUM (Merchandise Store)

Title

Kashima Soccer Museum

  • For those without cashless payment options

You can purchase and top up your WAON card with cash at the stadium!

To ensure that all customers can visit us with peace of mind, we have set up a support system for customers who do not have cashless payment methods or whose charged balance is insufficient.

■WAON Card Selling Price

300 yen (tax included)

■Notes

・WAON chargers only accept banknotes.

・Please note that the machine does not dispense change, and the entire amount inserted will be charged.

・The installation location may change. In such cases, we will announce it on our official website.

WAON Card Sales &

WAON Charging Station Locations

  • Normal

  • Emperor's Cup

  • "WAON Card" Sales Locations

Out of Bounds

・Same-day ticket sales counter

On-site

・Main Stand Fan Club Booth

・Back Stand Fan Club Booth

・2F Visitor Concourse (Visitor Seating)

  • WAON Charger (Cash Charge Machine) Locations

Out of bounds

・Next to the ticket booth on the day

・Kashima Sports Center, 1F, in front of the Administration Office

On-site

・Main Stand Fan Club Booth

・Back Stand Fan Club Booth

・2F Visitor Concourse (Visitor Seats)

  • Where to buy WAON cards

  • WAON Charger Locations

  • Where to buy a WAON card

  • WAON Charger Locations

This will not be available at the当日券販売所・メインスタンド側ファンクラブブース (Same-Day Ticket Sales Booth / Main Stand Side Fan Club Booth).

  • "WAON Card" Sales Locations

Out-of-bounds

・Kashima Sports Center, 1st Floor, in front of the Management Office

On-site

・Fan Club booth on the back stand side

・2F Visitor Concourse (Visitor-exclusive seats)

  • "WAON Charger (Cash Top-up Machine)" Locations

Outside the Venue

・Kashima Sports Center 1F, in front of the management office

On-site

・Fan Club Booth on the Back Stand side

・2F Visitor Concourse (Visitor Seating Only)

  • WAON Card Sales Locations

  • WAON Charger Locations

  • WAON Card Sales Locations

  • WAON Charger Locations

  • Notes on Visiting

To ensure you have a comfortable shopping experience at the stadium, please read the following important notes before your visit.

You can charge your transportation IC card at the simple charging machine located at "Kashima Soccer Stadium Station," the closest station to the stadium.

There are no cash top-up machines for electronic money other than WAON inside the stadium, so please top up your electronic money in advance before coming to the venue.

Please note that WAON chargers only accept banknotes and do not provide change.

  • Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Overview of Cashless Payments

Why are you going completely cashless?

This initiative aims to create a stadium that supporters will enjoy even more by eliminating cash transactions to prioritize hygiene, and by using purchasing data to alleviate congestion and improve product lineups. We will operate this as a challenge to create a more convenient and comfortable viewing experience together with all of you.

Will cash become completely unusable?

As a general rule, cash will not be accepted. All stores and counters, including food and beverage stalls, merchandise stores, and same-day ticket counters inside the stadium, will only accept cashless payments. Please prepare your credit card, e-money, or QR code payment in advance. *Some exceptions, such as vending machines, may apply. Please refer to the next question for details.

2. Available Payment Methods

What payment methods are available?

The following payment methods are accepted:
・Credit Cards: Visa / Mastercard / JCB / American Express / Diners Club 
・E-money: Transportation IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.) / WAON / iD / QUICPay
・QR Code Payment: Merpay / d払い / PayPay / 楽天ペイ / au PAY / AEON Pay

 Can I pay the remaining balance with cash or another payment method?

Please note that combining different payment methods (e.g., Suica balance + cash, e-money + credit card) is not allowed. Please check your balance in advance and use a payment method with sufficient balance, or top up your card beforehand.

What should I do if my child goes to the shop alone, for example, and I can't let them carry cash?

We recommend that your children bring pre-charged "transportation IC cards" or "WAON cards." Additionally, "WAON cards" can be purchased and cash-charged at the support desk within the venue.

3. Charges and emergency support

What should I do if I only have cash (and no cashless payment options)?

WAON cards can be purchased at 4 locations, both inside and outside the stadium. By charging your card at the attached cash charging machines, you can use it at all stores inside the stadium.

Can I top up my cash inside the stadium?

You can add money to your WAON card at the "WAON Charger" (cash charging machine) located inside the stadium. *Please note that you cannot add money at the cash registers of individual stores.

Can I use coins when adding cash?

The "WAON Charger" (cash charging machine) installed inside the stadium only accepts bills.

Do I get change when I top up my card with cash?

No change will be given. Please note that the full amount deposited will be charged to your card.

Can I top up my transportation IC card (Suica/PASMO, etc.) with cash?

There are no IC card charging machines inside the stadium. Please use the simple charging machine installed at Kashima Soccer Stadium Station, the nearest station, or charge your card with a sufficient amount before coming to the stadium.

What should I do if my balance runs out during a match?

If you have a WAON card, you can charge it at a WAON charger on-site. If you use other e-money or code payment services, please charge them via their respective apps from your smartphone or credit card.

What should I do if my phone battery dies?

There are no charging stations available inside the stadium. We recommend bringing a portable charger.