Athlone Town FC 'cashless' system: UPDATE

Kevin O'Neill

Athlone Town FC has partly reversed a decision to no longer accept any form of cash payments at its home stadium.

Yesterday (Wednesday, February 11) the club announced a decision to reject cash payments at the stadium, saying this was taken "in order to improve operational efficiency and financial governance".

The decision, the club said, would apply to all match ticketing, the on-site food truck, shop and merchandise sales at the stadium on matchdays, where card and mobile payments would be accepted.

However, the club has slightly changed its stance after much public feedback on the issue, particularly through various online forums.

In an update issued on the matter, the club stated that "following feedback and an internal review, we have made the decision to accept cash at the club shop".

It added: "We will continue to operate card and mobile payments at the gate, which was successfully practiced at our European games last summer. These decisions have no impact on the operation of the drive-in bingo. We thank you for your support and hope Friday’s game and the 2026 season will be enjoyable both on and off the pitch".

Athlone Town's senior men's team kick-off their League of Ireland First Division season at home against Finn Harps on Friday evening (7.45pm), while the senior women's side return to competitive action when they face Shelbourne in the 2026 President's Cup at the Athlone Town Stadium on Sunday, March 8 (2pm).