Basketball fans in Atlanta can now use their cellular phones to pay for their drinks and popcorn. Cingular Wireless and Visa are teaming up with Philips Arena to provide Atlanta Thrashers and Hawks season ticket holders with contactless payment systems. Using Near Field Communication (NFC) members of this trial group can purchase food, drinks and other items by waving their phones within one to three inches of NFC terminals.

There will be 150 NFC terminals around the arena. In addition to purchasing food and drinks, people will be able to buy music and videos by waving their phone near posters of their favorite basketball stars. Game attendees often must rushed to the concession stands during half-time or a short timeout to buy food. This will help speed people through by eliminating the need for cashiers to count out change or print receipts. For NFC payments of less than $25 VISA does not require a signature.