Cashless convenience is coming to the Oktoberfest 2025, as visitors to Munich’s famed festival will now enjoy expanded digital payment options. While card payments have been available for some time, this year marks the first introduction of Google Pay and Apple Pay in one of the major festival tents. In a test phase, these payment methods will be rolled out in the popular Armbrustschützenzelt, offering a glimpse into the future of transactions on the Theresienwiese.
The introduction of Google Pay and Apple Pay allows attendees to make payments via their smartphones or smartwatches. By utilizing either a linked credit or debit card, visitors can simply hold their device against a compatible reader to complete their transaction. In the Armbrustschützenzelt, payment will initially be facilitated through two methods. Patrons may scan a QR code provided by the server to input their payment amount via an online portal or use a SumUp card terminal, a compact device often seen in retail and food establishments. The rollout is being handled cautiously, noted Otmar Mutzenbach, the celebrated tent’s managing director.
While this test phase is limited to specific servers in the Armbrustschützenzelt, other Oktoberfest vendors are moving ahead more quickly. According to Peter Bausch, spokesperson for the festival's showmen, the majority of smaller vendors and stalls already support card payments, including Google Pay and Apple Pay. In total, over 160 stalls, tents, and operations are expected to provide cashless payment services this year—a significant jump that caters to modern visitor expectations.
This shift signifies a modernization of the festival, which historically adhered to the motto, "Cash is king." Coupled with other innovations, these new payment options aim to enhance the guest experience amid rising costs, such as the price of the iconic Maß beer. Though part of the Wiesn charm lies in its traditions, these seamless payment integrations demonstrate a willingness to adapt without losing the festival’s unique character. International and local visitors alike will benefit from the added convenience as Oktoberfest continues its journey into the digital age.
Cashless convenience is coming to the Oktoberfest 2025, as visitors to Munich’s famed festival will now enjoy expanded digital payment options. While card payments have been available for some time, this year marks the first introduction of Google Pay and Apple Pay in one of the major festival tents. In a test phase, these payment methods will be rolled out in the popular Armbrustschützenzelt, offering a glimpse into the future of transactions on the Theresienwiese.
The introduction of Google Pay and Apple Pay allows attendees to make payments via their smartphones or smartwatches. By utilizing either a linked credit or debit card, visitors can simply hold their device against a compatible reader to complete their transaction. In the Armbrustschützenzelt, payment will initially be facilitated through two methods. Patrons may scan a QR code provided by the server to input their payment amount via an online portal or use a SumUp card terminal, a compact device often seen in retail and food establishments. The rollout is being handled cautiously, noted Otmar Mutzenbach, the celebrated tent’s managing director.
While this test phase is limited to specific servers in the Armbrustschützenzelt, other Oktoberfest vendors are moving ahead more quickly. According to Peter Bausch, spokesperson for the festival's showmen, the majority of smaller vendors and stalls already support card payments, including Google Pay and Apple Pay. In total, over 160 stalls, tents, and operations are expected to provide cashless payment services this year—a significant jump that caters to modern visitor expectations.
This shift signifies a modernization of the festival, which historically adhered to the motto, "Cash is king." Coupled with other innovations, these new payment options aim to enhance the guest experience amid rising costs, such as the price of the iconic Maß beer. Though part of the Wiesn charm lies in its traditions, these seamless payment integrations demonstrate a willingness to adapt without losing the festival’s unique character. International and local visitors alike will benefit from the added convenience as Oktoberfest continues its journey into the digital age.
