MLB partners with MasterCard to accept Apple Pay during All-Star Game, fan events

People attending Major League Baseball's All-Star Game in Cincinnati will be able to use Apple Pay to buy food and other goods, both during the game and at facilities set up for All-Star Week and the All-Star FanFest, which begins on Friday, according to an official announcement.

The FanFest runs from today through July 14 at the Duke Energy Convention Center. The game itself will be held on the 14th at the Great American Ball Park.

MasterCard, which along with MLB is helping to enable the Apple Pay services, will be offering bonuses to some people who use one of its cards with Apple Pay. These will include things like prepaid cards, branded All-Star products, or autographed merchandise.

Sporting venues have been some of the earliest supporters of Apple Pay. Some examples include stadiums for the NBA's Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns.

Apple Pay is now offered by over 300 banks in the United States. Retail support has grown far slower, still limited to a few dozen national and regional chains. The service is set to expand to the U.K. later this month, but there's no clear indication of when it might come to other important markets such as China, Japan, or mainland Europe.