As international football fans travel to Germany for UEFA EURO 2024, Alipay+ announced that transactions in the country have increased by over two-thirds (67%) during the opening week of the tournament (Thursday 13th June 2024 – Wednesday 19th June 2024).

Alipay+, an official sponsor of UEFA EURO 2024™, is a suite of cross-border mobile payments and digitalization technology solutions that now supports 30 global e-wallets and banking apps. 

The number of customers paying with Alipay+ partner wallets in the opening week increased by 59% (WoW). Total value per transaction increased by 56%, benefiting local SMEs across food & beverage, retail, travel and other segments.

Beyond Germany, as fans congregated in pubs, bars and hotels across the continent to watch the opening matches, overall European Alipay+ transactions rose by 13% during the opening week (WoW).

Over a quarter (29%) more tourists to Europe are paying with Alipay+ than in 2023, and 11% more compared with the previous week, given an increase in international tourism from China and other Asian countries, as well as the growing popularity of Europe as a travel destination since the pandemic.

Cologne’s Farina Duftmuseum was established in 1709, making it the oldest perfume house in the world and a popular attraction for international tourists. Ninth-generation owner, Louise Farina, commented on her experience trading during the tournament, “It’s so exciting to experience the electric energy of Cologne as football fans congregate from all around the world and visit our museum. Offering Alipay+ as a payment solution is a great convenience for tourists from Asia, which are an important demographic for us, when purchasing our renowned fragrances”. 

In Düsseldorf, Zhang Liang Malatang Spicy Hot Pot hosts international guests for lunch and dinner service daily, offering hot pot and a wide selection of Asian cuisine. Muxin Guo, owner of the restaurant, commented “Every day we host guests from China and many other countries in Asia, who enjoy being able to pay with their preferred home e-wallet. Being located in a city recognised for its excellent Asian dining, offering a range of international payment methods via Alipay+ makes us stand-out as an attractive destination for visitors”.  

Alipay+ has now enabled over 400,000 merchants in Europe, with over 120,000 in the DACH region alone. Among the 15 Alipay+ mobile partners in Germany are Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), MPay (Macao SAR, China), Touch ’n Go eWallet and MyPB by Public Bank Berhad (Malaysia), Hipay (Mongolia), GCash (The Philippines), OCBC Digital and Changi Pay (Singapore), TrueMoney (Thailand), Tinaba (Italy), Bluecode (Germany and Austria) and Kakao Pay, Naver Pay and Toss Pay (South Korea).

Ilaria Limelli, a 22-year-old creative from Italy who uses the Tinaba app to make payments via Alipay+, added: “It’s been amazing to support the Italian team as they compete in the EUROs – but what’s a match without drinks and snacks? Paying with my Tinaba e-wallet via Alipay+ was simple and convenient at the stadium, and I was also able to pay for local souvenirs at nearby stores effortlessly”.

Pietro Candela, General Manager of Europe at Alipay+, commented: “The EUROs is just one testimonial to the rising interest in more immersive, experience-based travel from young Asian mobile app users.  We will step up collaboration with partners, including Asia’s e-wallet and mobile banking leaders, to innovate more flexible, SME-ready digital tools on Alipay+ which support German and European businesses to effectively engage the new digitally-native traveller.”