Major League Baseball’s new interactive virtual ballpark streamed its first regular-season game yesterday (Wednesday) as the Tampa Bay Rays hosted the Los Angeles Angels live from Tropicana Field.
The game was synced with Gameday 3D technology, allowing fans from around the world who were logged into the virtual ballpark to watch a three-dimensional representation of the action and interact with each other as it played out.
Fans were able to talk with each other using spatial audio, explore the virtual ballpark to play trivia games and participate in a scavenger hunt. Additionally, supporters could watch the traditional broadcast on the digital videoboards of the virtual ballpark.
Kenny Gersh, executive vice-president of media and business development at MLB, said: “With the virtual ballpark, we want to continue to give our fans options to experience the game they love in unique ways and test the boundaries of baseball content delivery.
“Gameday 3D allows us to experiment even more within the virtual ballpark and should allow our fans to further immerse themselves into the experience of a game. Thanks to the Rays and Angels supporting this initiative, we can watch Major League Baseball in a format unlike any other.”
Elsewhere in MLB, live event ticketing platform TicketRev has announced its first professional sports partnership with the Miami Marlins, enabling fans of the team to choose their preferred price for tickets.
TicketRev’s partnership with the Marlins will streamline and enhance the ticket-buying experience and provide the team with newly sourced fan data. Fans will be able to select their desired seating preference for a game and make their pitch on a preferred price, with TicketRev technology to then offer a fair offer range to help guide supporters.
Check out our sister site TheTicketingBusiness.com for full details.
In other news, Delaware North has announced that a new store powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out and Amazon One technology will open at EverBank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
Guests can enter the DUUUVAL Express store by using their credit card or hovering their palm over an Amazon One device at the entry gate. The Just Walk Out technology then detects what shoppers take from or return to the shelves and creates a virtual shopping session.
Satisfi Labs, a leading provider of conversational AI solutions, has launched a new AI service for live events with global ticketing platform AXS.
The solution is designed to give fans access to more accurate and timely information as they prepare to attend an event. The chat feature will answer questions on ticket sales and transfers.
Video solutions companies Accedo and Ateme have teamed up to deliver next-generation in-stadium and venue experiences for live sporting events using Amazon Web Services technology.
The solution, deployed on AWS Wavelength, combines Ateme’s 5G media streaming solution and Accedo Xtend to deliver immersive experiences for fans. Ateme said the solution will allow fans to interact with a uniquely branded XR fan interface overlaying virtual live statistics, gamification elements and social experiences.
US telco Verizon has entered into a partnership with Major League Soccer team Houston Dynamo and National Women’s Soccer League franchise Houston Dash.
Both teams will work with Verizon on enhancing the fan experience at Shell Energy Stadium, with Verizon to serve as the presenting sponsor for Fan Appreciation Week, which begins on September 30. The partnership also includes sponsorship of the Dynamo and Dash training top for the remainder of the season.
