The cashless bracelet

Date Published on

No more tokens during Defqon.1!

Since 2025, the days of collecting plastic, the stress of consuming tokens 5 by 5, and the need to keep a token for a final shower before leaving have all come to an end. Now it's time for the wristband, which enables contactless payments to be made on the spot.

This leather bracelet, fitted with an NFC chip, will become your best ally, not only for making purchases, but also for getting around.

Wristband registration

Prior to the festival, each festival-goer will receive a leather wristband by post or via their travel company. Similar to a watch, it will have a serial number and a secret code. These two numbers appear on the back of the bracelet.

The first step in registering it is to go to the Defqon.1 mobile application. A form will allow you to enter the serial number and secret code. Once you've done this, you'll be able to manage your wristband from the mobile application.

This isn't necessarily a compulsory step, as you'll be able to use it on site without any problem without registering it in your name, but I strongly advise you to do so so that you can act on it if you lose it during the 4 days, or if you want to recharge it without going to the kiosks.

Also take a photo of the wristband's serial number. This can also be useful for proving that you've bought your ticket (and can therefore get in) if you lose it.

Reloading

Is the wristband registered? That's great! Now's a good time to top it up.

Via the application

You can top up your wristband directly from the mobile app. 20€, 40€, 50€... Several payment methods are available, including credit card, Google pay, Apple pay and Paypal.

Via the terminals

A second option is to load the wristband directly on site. Instead of the token dispensers that used to exist, there are now machines that allow you to put money on the wristband.

Nothing special to say, you place your wristband in front of the machine, select the amount you want to put on it, pay, and replace the wristband a second time to have your wristband credited.

Via ATMs

For those who prefer cash, you can go to dedicated cash machines. This time an operator will take your tickets and put the balance on your wristband. Note that you can put any amount you like, as you can get it back later, after the festival.

Use

It's so easy! If you have enough credit, you go to the places that interest you (bars or food trucks), and hold out your hand to the waiters. They're all equipped with a device similar to a mobile phone, which they affix to the wristband to count the amount you've consumed.

Checking your balance

On site, the top-up terminals allow you to check your balance by passing the wristband in front of them.

But you can also check your balance via the mobile application. Better still, you can check the details of your various transactions. This is always useful if you want to be sure that you haven't made a mistake, as I did at Dystopia.

Recovery of funds

The money placed on the wristband is not lost. Once the festival has passed, you can ask for the balance to be reclaimed, again from the mobile application, or via the website.

Note that you will be charged €2 for this operation.

You can also choose to donate all or part of your balance to a charity. Allow a few more days for your money to be returned to your bank account once the process is complete, and your wristband emptied of its balance.

Now you're ready to pull out your wrist for the 4 days!

What about you?

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