Sports viewership has been flipped on its head.
This generation of sports fans is less engaged, more isolated, and spends on average 7.2 hours in front of screens.
It’s getting harder to capture the attention of fans with so many distractions and content out there.
But I still think there is still hope.
Especially when it comes to in-person sports.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen several advancements in technology that have the potential to improve the way we watch sports in person.
Leagues and organizations are now investing millions of dollars into their venues to build new experiences all to bring more fans to games.
Let’s dive into some of the ways technology will change in-person sports over the next few years.
Here are 5 technological advancements that will transform the way fans watch in-person sports
Virtual & Augmented Reality
If virtual and augmented reality has a use case anywhere, it’s definitely within sports.
Whether that’s the ability for fans to experience an athlete’s POV or have the opportunity to simulate courtside seats to watch their favorite team, this technology will create state-of-the-art fan experiences across all sports.
Over the next several years, virtual and augmented reality will not only be something fans can use from the comfort of their homes, but they’ll also have these interactive experiences at games.
Several teams have already started implementing virtual merchandise stores, in-arena mini-games, and trivia contests where fans can virtually compete with other fans.
Internet of Things (IoT) & Advanced Fan Analytics
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other items that are embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity, allowing them to collect and exchange data.
Smart sensors throughout a venue or stadium can collect real-time information and data from both fans and operations teams.
From this data, organizations can better manage crowd flow, manage parking, and build an overall better experience for fans.
Personalized fan experiences will also take shape with this tech as well.
Soon, teams are going to have so much intricate data on their fanbase that they’ll be able to know your food preferences, who your favorite players are, and where you like to shop, among other details.
Blockchain Technology
Blockchain technology has made its way into sports over the past couple of years for good reason.
Blockchain technology is a decentralized, distributed ledger that stores the record of ownership of digital assets.
It’s also very secure and unchangeable.
Organizations have been looking at blockchain technology mainly as a reward and loyalty mechanism.
By leveraging this technology, teams can build out programs for their most committed fans and dish out fan tokens, authenticate memorabilia, digital collectibles, and more.
They can also give out exclusive access to meet and greets with players, invite-only events, etc…
Facial Recognition Technology
Many teams across the top leagues have been experimenting with facial recognition technology as an entry point for allowing fans access to arenas and stadiums.
This technology can help decrease the wait times to enter and also remove the need for fans to take out their phones or wallets for tickets.
However, a point of contention could be how facial recognition can be considered unsafe and discriminatory.
Several incidents have already occurred in which facial recognition software has mistaken identities or misused fan data.
Teams and front offices want frictionless entry and increased security, but where is the line drawn for fans and attendees who want protection and privacy?
Interactive Stadium Experiences
Stadiums are leveraging technology to create more interactive and engaging experiences for fans.
This includes features like high-definition video screens, digital scoreboards, and integrated mobile apps that provide instant replays, concessions ordering, and seat upgrades.
Some venues are exploring innovations like connected seating that vibrates or lights up in response to game events.
They could also implement real-time analytics for sports betting throughout the arena as well.
This will become more prevalent over time as organizations try to create more unique touchpoints for fans.
