US telecommunications company AT&T has unveiled new 5G-based experiences for Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls fans at the United Center.
AT&T, the official 5G innovation partner of the NHL’s Blackhawks and NBA’s Bulls, has made United Center the first shared NBA/NHL arena to implement ‘Pose with the Pros’.
First rolled out at AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, this allows fans to choose their favourite Blackhawks or Bulls players and mascots to join them on screen for a selfie brought to life through augmented reality.
Users will be able to control the two, six-foot AT&T 5G-powered interactive kiosks, installed in the arena’s East Atrium and Madhouse Team Store, through their smartphones. This creates a touchless and safe experience that will leave fans with a unique video or photo to take home. Through the AT&T 5G+ network at the United Center, fans can also share their memorable moments on social media.
For those watching at home, Pose with the Pros is making its way to the Blackhawks app on December 20 and Bulls app on December 22. Fans will get the same augmented reality photo-op like they do at the United Center, but from the comfort of their own homes.
In addition to launching Pose with the Pros, an enhanced AT&T StatsZone will be available in both teams’ official mobile apps beginning early January 2022. With a successful launch in the Bulls app in May, and as 5G and AR technology become more prevalent in sports, AT&T is also introducing StatsZone to the Blackhawks app, expanding the platform’s capabilities and fan experience across both teams.
StatsZone will give fans the ability to see immersive 3D stats immediately, view player and team stats of past games using a customised AR view on their smartphones and share clips of their favourite stats and milestones from the game on social media.
“On the heels of the launch of our new, official Blackhawks mobile app earlier this season, AT&T’s StatsZone integration brings additional value to the digital fan experience for our users,” said Steve Waight, vice-president of corporate partnerships for the Chicago Blackhawks.
“Add to that the exciting launch of Pose with the Pros at the United Center on Blackhawks gameday, and this expanded AT&T collaboration is elevating opportunities for our fans to get to know our team and players whether enjoying a game in person or following along at home.”
Jay Cary, vice-president of 5G product and innovation at AT&T, added: “We’re fuelling these moments to bring fans closer to the action.
“Our network is packed with speed and capacity to deliver these custom experiences to a stadium near you and to the screen in your pocket. It’s all about creating new, immersive ways to connect you to the teams and players you love while making it all look seamless to you.”
Image: Jordano53/CC BY-SA 4.0/Edited for size
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