Featured image credit: Estadio Azteca / BeFootball
Estadio Azteca’s VR experience
Fans can experience Mexico’s iconic Azteca Stadium like never before through a new virtual reality experience.
Estadio Azteca and BeFootball have announced a strategic alliance that will allow fans to enter and explore the Mexico City venue that will become the first venue to host three FIFA World Cups in 2026.
Via a VR headset, fans will be able to “step” on the grass and even enter the locker rooms of the Azteca Stadium.
The alliance also introduces a new sponsorship category that will allow activations in fan zones, inside and outside the stadium, as well as at future events.
Felix Aguirre, general manager of Estadio Azteca, said: “This partnership with BeFootball allows us to take Estadio Azteca to every corner of the world. Fans will be able to feel like they are inside the Azteca, experiencing a unique mix of sport and entertainment (sportainment) on the ground where Maradona and Pelé lived glorious moments, experiencing first-hand their greatness and legacy.”
NHL’s fan XP focus
The National Hockey League (NHL) has deepened its partnership with cloud networking specialist Extreme Networks in a bid to prioritise improving fan experiences through technology and leveraging fan data.
As a result, several NHL clubs, including the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators, have deployed Extreme solutions to enhance in-arena Wi-Fi connectivity, deliver immersive fan experiences and create a backbone for a host of new digital services.
Among the initiatives, OCVIBE has selected Extreme to deploy a Wi-Fi network as part of the Honda Center district that is home to the Anaheim Ducks. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames have deployed Universal hardware from Extreme to create a secure wired network across Scotiabank Saddledome, improving connectivity for fan services like concessions stands and retail spaces.
Norman Rice, chief commercial officer at Extreme, said: “The NHL has been at the forefront of leaning into Wi-Fi business insights to ensure that they’re always reimagining and redesigning fan experiences when fans come to the arena.”
Tottenham’s network security partnership
Premier League club Tottenham Hostpur is to put a focus on network security after signing a two-year partnership with ExpressVPN.
The deal is ExpressVPN’s first global sponsorship in football and sees the brand become the club’s first official digital privacy partner. Tottenham will work with ExpressVPN to integrate its security products to provide digital privacy across its networks.
Ryan Norys, Tottenham’s chief revenue officer, said: “We are excited to be partnering with ExpressVPN with the aim of enhancing the overall digital experience for our staff and supporters.”
London Stadium targets net zero gains
London Stadium is using a new partnership to address the measurement, control, and management of energy consumption from small power devices as it drives towards its net zero target.
Lightwave has installed over 600 devices to control television screens, drinks refrigerators, water, and space heaters throughout the home of Premier League club West Ham United. Using its monitoring software and live data to identify savings opportunities, energy usage has been reduced by over 60% for the Lightwave controlled devices in just one month.
Alan Skewis, head of capital projects at London Stadium, said: “Lightwave has delivered very well against its obligations, we look forward to partnering with them in the coming months and years to deliver more energy efficiency initiatives for London Stadium.”
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