Technology

Tech Stack: ICC, Vindico and more

Featured image credit: ICC

The International Cricket Council has launched ICC Immersive, a new app developed in collaboration with sports technology company Quidich that is designed to enhance the fan experience at the ongoing Men’s T20 World Cup.

The app is available through Apple Vision Pro and will virtually transport fans onto the cricket pitch, where they will be surrounded by a roaring crowd and interactive data overlays.

Users will be able to relive exciting moments from the World Cup in an accurately rendered virtual stadium, which utilises various data sources including player and ball tracking. The app will include the six host venues in the West Indies, as well as the 34,000-seat temporary Nassau County International Cricket Stadium that was built in New York.

Welsh technology firm Vindico announced the soft-launch of its latest innovation, SWAPP 3.0, at TheStadiumBusiness Summit earlier this week.

The technology builds on the success of Vindico’s original SWAPP platform, which has been used by the likes of Principality Stadium, Arms Park, Sophia Gardens, Vindico Arena and Parc y Scarlets. It has been developed by Vindico’s in-house development teams in Cardiff and Llanelli.

Vindico said that SWAPP 3.0 will enable management teams to streamline operations, drive efficiencies and enhance knowledge transfer and upskilling.

ASM Global, Heineken and EBar have completed the installation of a dual Beerwall unit at the AO Arena in Manchester.

The Beerwall is located beside Block 121 on the main concourse of the arena and gives guests the chance to grab a drink and return to the show in a matter of seconds. The outlet will supplement an existing kiosk at the arena.

Earlier this week, it was announced that self-serve bars powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology would be fitted at The O2 as part of plans to enhance the guest experience at the London arena.

It is hoped the technology will reduce queues, ensuring there will be less time waiting and more time for guests to enjoy the show. The bars will be rolled out this summer.

Integrated payments and commerce technology provider Shift4 has been selected by San Diego FC to power ticketing transactions for the Major League Soccer team.

Shift4’s solutions are used by every major professional sports league in the US, as well as colleges, entertainment venues and other business verticals.

San Diego was awarded an MLS franchise in May 2023. The team will begin play in 2025 at Snapdragon Stadium.

Satisfi Labs, an AI-powered conversation experience platform, has acquired Factoreal, an omnichannel marketing automation platform.

Satisfi Labs said the acquisition will accelerate its vision of building a “comprehensive” conversational experience platform, bringing together inbound and outbound messaging capabilities.

Factoreal works with brands such as the United Soccer League, Mumbai City FC and the Warrington Wolves. Over the next year, it will be integrated into the Satisfi Labs platform.