FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Fredericksburg Nationals are becoming the first Minor League Baseball team in the country to accept Virginia Mobile ID, giving fans another way to verify their age when purchasing alcoholic beverages at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.
Beginning Friday, July 17, fans can use the digital credential on their smartphones instead of presenting a physical driver's license or state-issued ID card at concession stands, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
The announcement comes as the FredNats prepare for the postseason after clinching a Carolina League playoff berth. The team recently began selling playoff ticket packages for potential home games in September, giving fans another opportunity to use the digital identification system during one of the season's busiest stretches.
The Fredericksburg stadium is the latest location to begin accepting Virginia Mobile ID, but it marks a first for Minor League Baseball.
"It is the first minor league baseball park in the country to accept Virginia Mobile ID," DMV Public Relations and Media Liaison Camila Barco told Patch during an interview on Thursday.
Virginia launched Mobile ID in 2025, and Barco said more than 300,000 Virginians have since downloaded the app. Since its rollout, the number of businesses and government agencies accepting the digital credential has continued to grow.
As Patch previously reported, Virginia Mobile ID was initially introduced in Northern Virginia as a secure digital version of a driver's license or identification card that residents can store on their smartphones.
The program has since expanded across the commonwealth and is now accepted by Virginia State Police, all DMV customer service centers, TSA security checkpoints at participating airports, pilot Virginia ABC stores and a growing number of restaurants, breweries, wineries and other businesses.
Fans who want to purchase alcoholic beverages at Virginia Credit Union Stadium can open the Virginia Mobile ID app and display a QR code for concession workers to scan.
Rather than handing over a physical license, users keep their phones in their possession while the QR code is scanned. For age verification, the system only confirms whether the customer is old enough to make the purchase rather than displaying their full date of birth, according to the DMV.
Barco said the process is designed to be both convenient and privacy-focused.
"So instead of looking through your purse, trying to find your wallet, taking it all out, most of us already have our phone in our hands," she said. "You never have to hand your phone over."
The DMV says Mobile ID includes multiple security measures to protect users' personal information.
To enroll, Virginians scan the barcode on the back of their driver's license or state-issued ID card and complete a facial verification process. After setup, facial recognition is required each time the app is opened, helping ensure only the enrolled user can access the credential.
The app is available for both Virginia driver's licenses and state identification cards.
To enroll, residents can download the Virginia Mobile ID app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, scan their state-issued credential, complete facial verification and begin using the digital ID.
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