Using the Fortress-developed mobile platform hosted on the official NHL app, fans can check in to an official bar using a unique code, allowing them to accumulate points for each check-in.
Fans can earn additional points by engaging in the program’s real-time “fantasy questions” component.
These points can be redeemed for prizes including signed memorabilia, premium tickets to a Blackhawks home game, or even the chance to participate in the team photo.
In 2009 the program launched with 100 official bars; as of February, it now has a roster of 345 bars, including 13 bars outside of Illinois.
More than 8,000 new fans have registered to join the program, recording more than 23,000 check-ins since the rollout of the new rewards system in November.
Developing Deeper Relationships
The Official Blackhawks Bar program’s evolution signals a new era of fan engagement for the team. After more than 400 consecutive sellouts and intensified fervor, the team recognized the need to foster and maintain deeper relationships with fans unable to attend games in-person.
The solution required both innovative technology and old-fashioned hospitality to create a uniquely integrated experience.
Since its launch, the enhanced program has become a cyclical relationship-building system, connecting the team with its fans, fans with each other, fans with official bars, and official bars with the team.
About Fortress
Since 2006, Fortress has been first to the field with some of the leading innovations in sports technology - digital ticketing, automated venue access, digital applications for loyalty, rewards, stored value (payments), and customer scoring and analytics. Today, the Fortress application platform powers the match day and engagement activities of more than 130 sports teams around the globe. With clients representing major national sports leagues (MLB, NHL, NFL, MLS, in addition to 90% of EPL), teams trust Fortress to deliver best-in-class technology and service. Fortress helps teams transform their game day experience, deliver value across their wider customer base, and use focused intelligence to drive valuable engagement and participation. For more information visit fortressgb.com