Verizon is launching a new loyalty program with exclusive benefits and experiences like VIP access to sporting events.
10-year-old Bailey DeWitt wins the Verizon match and attends the historic World Cup match between Spain and Cabo Verde in Atlanta.
Thanks to Verizon’s “No One Gets You Closer” promise, Bailey’s family can experience the game from an unparalleled perspective.
It was still early Monday morning when fans began flooding downtown Atlanta for one of the most anticipated FIFA World Cup matches organized in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Due to expected traffic, attendees were advised to arrive early. By the time I arrived, the city was already buzzing. Helicopters hovered overhead as crowds of supporters poured into the streets. Cars crawled through busy roads as fans wearing team flags and jerseys made their way to the stadium.
Source: Lauryn Bass / @itslaurynbass
This year’s tournament marks the first FIFA World Cup to be held in Atlanta, making the atmosphere even more exciting. The match between Cape Verde and Spain had its own significance. While Spain was expected to dominate as World Cup veterans, Cabo Verde made history with its first-ever appearance on football’s biggest stage.
That contrast created an atmosphere full of pride, culture and excitement.
Source: Verizon / FIFA World Cup with Verizon
Everywhere I looked I saw FIFA banners and logos, tailgates packed with families and friends, food trucks serving hungry fans, souvenir stands selling memorabilia and fans waving flags from all over the world. The weather was almost perfect and the cheers echoed through the city blocks surrounding the stadium.
Among the thousands of fans who witnessed this historic moment was 10-year-old Bailey DeWitt, a Georgia soccer player from Macon whose World Cup experience was made even more memorable thanks to a surprise opportunity through Verizon’s loyalty program.
Source: Verizon / FIFA World Cup with Verizon
For Bailey, a surprise video call turned into a once-in-a-lifetime FIFA World Cup experience. Her story is also part of a larger initiative that Verizon says is designed to reward customer loyalty through exclusive experiences, giveaways and VIP access.
In conversation with BOSSIP’s Lauryn Bass ahead of the FIFA World Cup match between Spain and Cabo Verde in Atlanta. The young footballer reflected on the journey that took her to one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
“I was like three,” Bailey said when asked when she first became interested in football.
Source: Lauryn Bass / @itslaurynbass
Bailey credits her father for introducing her to the sport.
“My dad introduced it to me,” she said.
When asked what first got her excited about soccer, Bailey pointed to the friendships and freedom she found on the field.
“Probably because of running and being able to make new friends,” she said.
A ‘golden call’ changed everything
Bailey’s World Cup journey began with a surprise ‘Golden Call’ from US women’s national team player Gisele Thompson.
Source: Verizon / FIFA World Cup with Verizon
The unforgettable moment came after Bailey’s mother entered a Verizon contest through the My Verizon app. Bailey recalled the phone call and recalled Thompson asking if the family had ever attended a World Cup match.
“She said, ‘Have you ever been to a World Cup?’ And we said no,” Bailey recalls. “Then she said, ‘Is that what you all want?’ And we said yes.”
What happened next left the family stunned.
“She gave us the tickets and said, ‘You’re going to the FIFA World Cup, Spain versus Cabo Verde.’”
Bailey said the opportunity still feels surreal.
“It means a lot to me. Much more than just a lot.”
The young football fan already knew the team she would be cheering for.
“Spain,” she said with a smile when asked who she was rooting for during the match.
Reshaping customer loyalty
Bailey’s World Cup experience comes as Verizon launches a major overhaul of its customer rewards offering.
Source: Verizon / FIFA World Cup with Verizon
According to the company, Verizon recently introduced a loyalty program available to all customers, regardless of plan. The initiative includes Verizon Dollars, a rewards program that gives customers 3% back every month simply for being a Verizon customer, along with Verizon Shine, a new platform designed to provide exclusive benefits, daily giveaways and unique experiences.
Verizon executives say the effort is part of a broader push to simplify the customer experience while creating more meaningful rewards.
“We are fundamentally reshaping Verizon inside and out to put the customer at the center of everything we do,” Verizon CEO Dan Schulman said in a statement announcing the program. “We listen, design for them and move faster than ever before.”
Experiences available through Verizon Shine include VIP sporting events, concerts, celebrity meet-and-greets, travel opportunities and exclusive FIFA World Cup experiences. The company announced future features including a VIP FIFA World Cup 2026 Final experience with David Beckham, access to music festivals, international travel experiences and access to major entertainment events.
In addition to the launch of Verizon Dollars and Verizon Shine, the company also announced the elimination of activation and upgrade fees for customers enrolled in the loyalty program. Verizon says the changes are intended to create a simpler and more rewarding customer experience.
Source: Verizon / FIFA World Cup with Verizon
For Bailey and her family, these initiatives translated into something much more memorable than traditional reward points: the opportunity to stand just feet away from world-class athletes competing on football’s biggest stage.
“No one gets you closer” with Verizon
Verizon’s slogan, “No One Gets You Closer,” took on new meaning when the DeWitt family arrived at the stadium. Bailey’s mother, Susanna DeWitt, said she was overwhelmed by how close the family was able to get to the action.
Source: Verizon / FIFA World Cup with Verizon
“I’m just really humbled that we can be so close to the field,” DeWitt said.
The family was given club level seating and special access, putting them just meters away from players competing on one of football’s biggest stages.
“To be able to be on the field for part of the game, and probably just feet away from the players at some point,” she said. “Literally, no one brings you closer except your eyes.”
For a young athlete who has spent years watching the sport from the sidelines, the occasion provided more than just a memorable day for her family. It also provided inspiration.
A match you will never forget
When asked what she hoped to gain from the experience, Bailey’s response focused on personal growth.
“I hope I can gain a little more confidence,” she said. “To see the players so I’m not so scared.”
While the World Cup experience may be a dream come true, Bailey hopes other young athletes remember that their goals are also achievable.
Her advice was simple: “Never give up.”
Bailey’s experience served as a real-time example of Verizon’s “No One Gets You Closer” promise. While many loyalty programs focus on discounts or promotional offers, the company’s Verizon Shine initiative emphasizes access, creating opportunities for customers to attend events, meet talent and experience key cultural moments from a perspective that few people ever get to see.
Source: Verizon / FIFA World Cup with Verizon
That mentality helped take Bailey from the local soccer fields of central Georgia to the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup.
As for the match itself, the action on the pitch proved to be just as memorable as the atmosphere surrounding it. Despite expectations that Spain would overpower the tournament newcomer, Cabo Verde held on in a hard-fought 0-0 draw, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Source: Lauryn Bass / @itslaurynbass
Between the historic meeting, passionate fans, vibrant cultural displays and Verizon hospitality, it was a memorable day of coverage from Atlanta’s sports media and a first-hand look at how the FIFA World Cup continues to unite people and cultures from around the world.
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