Basketball in Brazil has more than 100 years of history and tradition, and Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil, stands out as a city that truly lives the sport. Basketball União Corinthians, with roots dating back to the late 1930s, has collected local and state titles, highlighted by winning the National Basketball League in 1994. In 11 national championship appearances, the club earned one title, two runner-up finishes, and a third place. In 2021, União Corinthians won the Brazilian Basketball Club Championship and, since then, has competed in the NBB, Brazil’s top professional basketball league, which brings together the best clubs in the country and drives the sport’s professionalization. The club continues to grow each season, expanding its off-court management and strengthening its national presence.
In 2022, União Corinthians implemented the Imply® ElevenTickets platform, a complete ecosystem integrating ticket sales, access control, membership management, and concessions. In just three seasons, the club achieved remarkable results: from the 22/23 to 24/25 seasons, revenue from tickets and memberships grew by 168%. Last season set an attendance record and boosted ticket revenue by 156%, with an average of 4,000 fans per game, the highest in the 2024/2025 NBB. The number of members skyrocketed, making the club the leader in membership among National League (LNB) basketball clubs, with growth surpassing 1,500%.
According to Diego Puntel, Basketball Director of Ceisc União Corinthians: “Technology has allowed us to strengthen our connection with fans, offering speed, convenience, and a complete experience inside and outside the gym. We are proud to see our nearly century-long tradition combined with innovation, strengthening our brand and creating a sustainable path for the future of the club.”
Innovation also reached the court
Imply® LED Panels were installed in the gym, enhancing the fan experience and sponsor visibility. In 24/25, the club launched its Cashless system with NFC technology, enabling fans to use the chip embedded in the team’s crest for stadium access and food and beverage payments. The initiative extends to local businesses, taking the technology beyond the gym. Sales of NFC-enabled jerseys increased 50% in the 24/25 season compared to 23/24, offering perks such as exclusive lines, discounts, and convenient in-stand purchases. Additionally, food and beverage sales during games rose by 26% in the 24/25 season.
The impact of NFC technology put União Corinthians in the spotlight in both local and national media, cementing the club’s image as an innovator. Preloaded seasonal credits encouraged consumption and transformed the fan experience, even on away game days, with sponsor incentives and discounts offered at partner locations. Credit reloading for consumption can be done in advance via the web, at partner points, or at mobile cashiers on game days at the gym.
Imply® ElevenTickets solutions bring fans closer to the club, offering agility, convenience, and new revenue opportunities, while providing real-time dashboards and reports that optimize management, strengthen operations, and expand brand presence.
“Seeing tangible results, such as attendance records and significant membership growth, reinforces our commitment to delivering technology that transforms management and brings brands closer to their audiences in an innovative and efficient way. Our vast experience in operating large-scale events inspires us to continually innovate. Our commitment is to provide solutions that elevate convenience, combining safety and innovation,” says Tironi Paz Ortiz, Founder and CEO of Imply®.
About Imply® ElevenTickets
With more than 20 years of experience and presence in over 125 countries, Imply® is a reference in customized solutions for innovative brands. A leader in Latin America in ticket sales, membership management, and access control for sporting events, Imply® ElevenTickets offers a complete platform that integrates tools and services to manage events and attractions in one place. Learn more at: https://imply.com/engb/access-systems/
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