New research from Boldyn Networks has revealed that advanced connectivity will transform the fan experience of the future.
Boldyn’s study, entitled ‘Sports, Gaming and Rock & Roll: Connectivity and the fan experience’, found that 93% of eventgoers still prefer the experience and atmosphere of live events over staying at home.
Additionally, 77% of respondents said that they hate when there is no mobile/cell coverage at the venue during an event; 81% would spend more if there were more convenient foods, beverages or merchandise ordering options; 57% would spend more if they could order food and beverages from their seat; 73% would download an app that meant they could pre-order things at the venue; and 85% would like to be notified of ticket availability and upgrade their tickets to the event through a mobile app.
You can read the full report here.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Verizon Business have announced the opening of two ‘On the Fly’ Express Shops at the NFL team’s Lincoln Financial Field stadium.
The stores, powered by Verizon 5G, will be located on the main concourse and in the Pepsi Plaza. They will use AI-powered computer vision technology to provide fans with a cashierless way to purchase food and drinks. Customers can walk into the store, check in with their app or credit card, grab their items and head back to their seat.
National Women’s Soccer League team Kansas City Current has signed a multi-year partnership with Samsung, which will serve as the official display partner for technology utilised throughout CPKC Stadium.
Samsung will provide the video scoreboard and other display technology at the stadium, which will be the world’s first venue purpose-built for a women’s soccer team. Samsung will also receive use of marks, in-game signage, hospitality, and social media promotions.
Cricket South Africa has announced a partnership with sports technology platform LootMogul.
The partnership will result in the creation of digital twins of South African stadiums, which will provide fans with a “virtual yet realistic” experience of being at a venue.
English Premier League club Liverpool has signed a multi-year deal with Orion Innovation, which becomes its official digital transformation partner.
Orion will work with Liverpool to help the club further connect with its fan base.
The Orlando Magic NBA franchise will host the third annual Magic Innovation Challenge from January 19-21 at Amway Center and the team’s offices.
The weekend will offer developers, students, marketers, startup enthusiasts, graphic artists and sports business professionals the chance to pitch ideas. Participants will be given a general business challenge and then be tasked with forming a team to create solutions.
Elsewhere in the NBA, the Washington Wizards have partnered with Confirmed360, which becomes the team’s official entertainment concierge partner.
The partnership is designed to redefine the premium member experience. Courtside and suite ticket holders will have access to Confirmed360’s exclusive live entertainment opportunities such as on-court shooting competitions.
Real-time data experience platform LAVA has partnered with facial authentication platform provider Wicket to create a touchless experience for fans at sports and entertainment events.
The partnership includes technical and go-to-market collaborations that connect Wicket’s biometric identification capabilities with the LAVA RealTimeAI platform to streamline a range of experiences within the stadium. The technology has already enhanced the experience for fans at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Major League Soccer team Philadelphia Union has selected BrainLit to fit lighting technology at Subaru Park.
The collaboration aims to enhance the well-being and performance of players, coaches and staff, with BrainLit’s lighting platform designed to mimic the natural spectrum of sunlight, promoting circadian alignment and optimising the biological rhythms of players.
The Union has also expanded its partnership with engagement marketing solutions firm KORE.
The two parties have previously worked on leveraging sponsorship activation and the new deal will place a focus on enhancing fan engagement. KORE’S Fan Engagement + Helix platform and Data Warehouse & Analytics ecosystem will help optimise the club’s capacities and enhance overall understanding of fan dynamics.
