Pakistan Super League cricket franchise Islamabad United has claimed a first with a metaverse experience that includes a built-to-scale virtual stadium.
The stadium will be built in the Decentraland metaverse and run alongside a twin stadium that will be available on Android devices. The experience will include a series of interactive initiatives and challenges for fans.
Supporters will be able to interact with player avatars and explore and interact with areas of the stadium such as the locker room, players’ lounge and fans’ conference room. Islamabad United has partnered with VegasCity to build U-Meta Stadium, which it claims is the world’s first built-to-scale digital cricket stadium.
The stadium will feature shopping and interactive gaming areas along with spectator stands. Islamabad United will also be launching a series of digital collectible cards, which will use blockchain and NFT technology to ensure authenticity and scarcity.
German Bundesliga football club Bayern Munich has signed a multi-year partnership with global financial technology platform Adyen.
As Bayern’s exclusive payment solution partner, Adyen will handle the club’s payment processing on all sales channels. The technology will be used in merchandising and stores, KidsClubs, memberships, FCB TV, ticketing and at the Allianz Arena.
It is hoped the partnership will lead to shorter queues at store checkouts, with payments able to be made flexibly from anywhere in the store.
Verizon has expanded its relationship with the NFL after being named as the league’s official private wireless network for coach-to-coach communications.
Verizon Business’ five-year deal with the NFL will deliver a managed private wireless solution across each of the league’s 30 stadiums. The solution includes full support for coach-to-coach communications on the field.
Verizon will showcase the solution during a 30-second commercial spot immediately following the Super Bowl on Sunday. The solution was piloted during the NFL’s recent international games in the UK, Germany and Mexico, which included deployment and management of the private wireless technology, testing and coordination and in-game operational support.
The NFL signed a 10-year extension to its partnership with Verizon back in September 2021. The deal focuses on the use of 5G to support innovation and technology adoption throughout the league and its venues.
Mobile payment platform Cheq has expanded its Major League Soccer portfolio by partnering with the Philadelphia Union.
The multi-year deal names Cheq as the exclusive in-stadium mobile ordering and social gifting partner at Subaru Park. Cheq will provide a brand-new mobile ordering and social gifting platform to Union fans this season, which will be highlighted by mobile pick-up points and innovative express kiosks to increase ordering efficiencies and decrease line wait times.
Cheq will also introduce its unique social gifting marketplace functionality, allowing Union fans to send food and beverages to friends in real time. Cheq recently signed its first partnership in MLS with Inter Miami CF.
Conversational chat platform GameOn Technology has partnered with NBA basketball team the Detroit Pistons.
The partnership has a primary focus on game logistics, ticketing and fans’ experience at Little Caesars Arena. Fans will be able to make ticketing enquiries, ask questions on merchandise purchases and more.
Head to our sister site TheTicketingBusiness.com for full details.
Elsewhere in the NBA, the Orlando Magic has launched a new custom-built loyalty initiative within its app.
The Fan Achievement and Rewards programme will award digital badges and mementos to fans for attendance streaks, the number of overall games they have attended, being at the Amway Center arena on specific theme nights, concessions purchases, shopping for merchandise, app marketplace experiences, seat upgrades, and participation with the team’s second-screen experience, Magicvision Mobile.
