We created our own currency for all payments inside of the VELTINS-Arena: Knappe. Cash is no longer accepted exchanged at any of the stadium kiosks. Instead, the only payment method that is accepted is via a Knappen card. Knappen cards can be topped up in 5 Euro increments, with one Euro equaling one Knappe. The maximum top-up at any one time is 150 Euros.
Payment card
VELTINS-Arena payment card
Advantages
Electronic currency helps to make all transactions inside the VELTINS-Arena quick and easy.
Fancy a cold Veltins beer or tasty Bratwurst at half time? No worries. You can be served quickly at one of our 32 food and drink stalls. Just go directly to the payment desk, where funds will be deducted immediately from your Knappen card. No longer will you need to worry about having the right change.
Aside from making use of improved RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, the new chip found in the Knappen cards and the sleeves of Schalke kits opens up a world of new possibilities for S04 fans – it enables them to be topped up with credit wherever you are. All you need to do is download the official Schalke 04 app, which can be found on the App Store and on the Google Play Store, depending on which device you use.
You can add credit to your Knappen card or kit by clicking on “Bezahlen auf Schalke” in the app’s menu. The accepted payment methods are via credit card or a PayPal account.
Knappen cards and kits can be topped up in 04 possible increments on your mobile device: 10, 20, 50 or 100 Euros. Remaining credit can be viewed at all times in the app (maximum credit is 150 Euros).
This is how paying with the Knappen card works
1. you buy a Knappen card at one of the stationary or mobile sales stands.
2. you go to the kiosk, order and hand out your Knappen card to the staff, which is placed on a terminal.
3. you will get your order back from the kiosk staff as well as your Knappen card with a reduced value.
4. if the credit on the Knappen card is scarce, it can be reloaded at the numerous issuing points in the arena, or with the help of the Schalke 04 app.
5. for many special events there are also “mobile” sellers who sell preloaded tickets with a credit of €20.00.
Essential information
Knappen cards can be obtained at special fixed and mobile issuing stations within the VELTINS-Arena promenade. All questions and problems can be resolved here. Fans also have the chance to acquire a Knappen card before an event at the S04 Service Center in the club’s grounds.
Customers do not have to worry about their money when leaving the VELTINS-Arena after events. Visitors to the stadium can exchange remaining Knappen for Euros at return stations. For those who are not in a rush or who visit the stadium frequently, it is also possible to exchange the card during the S04 Service Center opening hours.
All Knappen cards remain the property of FC Schalke 04 Arena Management GmbH. Once all credit has been returned to the customer, the card will be reclaimed. If the card is misplaced or lost, the remaining credit will only be paid out if the card number and proof of purchase can be provided. If any Knappen card is misused or tampered with, that particular card will be immediately disabled.
If a Knappen card is runs out of credit, or is close to doing so, then it can be topped up at any of the top-up points in the stadium on matchdays, or at any time at the FC Schalke 04 Service Center.
Knappen cards can be used at all events held in the VELTINS-Arena, not just at Schalke games, but also at concerts and other events. However, season tickets can no longer be used as a payment method, with all remaining credit being transferred to a new Knappen card.
All available motives available at the VELTINS-Arena
Good news for all collectors of Knappen cards:
At the ticket office west in front of the VELTINS-Arena there will be a point of contact at every home game, where all fans can get all currently available Knappen card motifs. The Knappen card counter opens 04 hours before the kick-off. All fans have the possibility to load and unload their Knappen cards. The minimum charge is 5 Euro.
