Features

RFEF launches virtual stadium venture for Copa del Rey final

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has teamed up with Book Your Stadium to offer 20 fans a virtual stadium experience during this weekend’s Copa del Rey final between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad.

Insurance firm Pelayo, a sponsor of the RFEF, will support the initiative, which will look to recreate the atmosphere of a stadium in an innovative way.

The project will be carried out through the ‘Watch Game Together’ initiative, an experience designed by Book Your Stadium. The experience will include pre-match games and contests.

Once the match is underway, fans will be able to watch the action on television while also accessing statistics and other ‘surprises’. A Spanish football legend will then join the virtual room at half-time for a live interview, and fans will be given an exclusive keepsake once the match has finished.

The experience will be free and fans have been invited to enter a raffle before tomorrow (Tuesday) to be in with a chance of taking part. The 20 winners will then be selected the following day.

Emma Ruiz de Azcárate, marketing director at Pelayo, said: “Being close to people is part of Pelayo’s DNA. Commitment and closeness are key concepts of our brand and we believe that this project is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate this closeness with the fans and that we are committed to giving them the opportunity to relive the football festival after a very difficult year.”

The RFEF confirmed earlier this month that no fans will be in attendance for Saturday’s match amid ongoing risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The match will serve as the final of the 2019-20 season and it had been postponed in the hope that fans would be able to attend, but this will not be the case.

The match will take place at the 60,000-seat Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville.

In January, Book Your Stadium partnered with augmented reality company ImagineAR to deliver unique AR experiences featuring LaLiga clubs.

Image: RFEF