The KFC Yum! Center is now the first arena to allow visitors to pay with their mobile phone at all hospitality and merchandise stands thanks to hospitality partner Centerplate, which has tapped mobile payments leader LevelUp to provide the KFC Yum! Center's mobile payment experience at 200 merchandise and hospitality stands.

Continuing its commitment to finding cutting edge digital solutions to improve the fan experience, Centerplate has installed LevelUp's innovative and cost-effective interchange zero network (with zero credit card processing fees) at every register. On the heels of its recent announcement integrating with popular point-of-sale (POS) system MICROS, LevelUp has worked with Centerplate to tie into the KFC Yum! Center's own MICROS system, making it completely seamless for the arena to process LevelUp's mobile transactions.

"New technology that improves the fan experience is something we're always looking for at Centerplate," says Greg Lesperance, Chief Information Officer at Centerplate. "This partnership with LevelUp is a perfect example of our fan-focused approach: hospitality powered by technology."

Shorter lines and awesome rewards for loyal fans are the name of the game with LevelUp. KFC Yum! Center visitors can zip through lines much faster and redeem concession and merchandise credits the more they pay with LevelUp. For fans, using LevelUp is dead simple: Download the app, link a credit card to your account, and start paying with your phone right away -- whether you're really hungry or just need that new Cards jersey ASAP.

"The KFC Yum! Center is at the forefront of the mobile payment revolution by adopting LevelUp at massive scale throughout the arena," said LevelUp Chief Ninja Seth Priebatsch. "Now anyone visiting the KFC Yum! Center can have a dead-simple way to pay and get rewarded for their loyalty. We're excited to be a part of such an innovative approach from Lousiville's largest venue."

KFC Yum! Center's General Manager Dennis Petrullo is eager to provide technical advancements that will improve visitors' overall experience at the arena.

"Centerplate's decision to incorporate LevelUp at each of the arena's concession and merchandise stands coincides with AEG's vision to make the KFC Yum! Center one of the most desirable and efficient venues in the nation. Our ultimate goal is to give every person in attendance an enjoyable experience, and this service will help us ensure we succeed in meeting that goal," Petrullo said.

"The KFC Yum! Center is all about delighting our fans, and accepting LevelUp at every register gives them new opportunities to use their mobile phones to pay and save money," said Centerplate General Manager Zach Hensley. "Centerplate's selection of LevelUp lets us create a fast and easy experience for our guests, while encouraging loyalty through rewards over time."