Millions of people watch sporting events, especially the NFL. It is reported that in 2016, viewership averaged 16.5 million people watching each game. NFL stadiums have a seating capacity for a fraction of their fan base, for example, the Minnesota Vikings new stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium, can seat exactly 66,655 spectators. A big number, but it is only a fraction of their fan base. Teams understand this and are always looking for innovative ways to make the in-stadium experience more enjoyable. The Minnesota Vikings have come up with a new marketing tool to bringing fans “inside” the stadium, as they will become the first NFL team to launch a virtual reality (VR) application for Oculus.
The virtual reality app is available in the Oculus store and titled, ‘Vikings VR’. I previously wrote how tourism organizations, such as, convention and visitor bureaus can utilize virtual reality to attract visitors and meeting planners to their destination. Virtual Reality has grown in recent years and will continue to increase in popularity and now the NFL is using it to bring fans closer to the game. The Vikings VR app is going to take fans directly inside of U.S. Bank Stadium to view 360 videos and photos from Vikings games and events.
Virtual reality and 360 content is extremely important in today’s marketing. Not only do brands but NFL teams want to brings even more experiences to their fans, and through this type of immersive technology, Minnesota Viking fans can get up close and personal with their favorite team. They will be seeing different angles, behind the scene footage, and game action that they are not currently seeing if they are at the game live or watching it from home.
The variety of different angles provides a real-time perspective of the plays and game action. It also allows fans a new way to experience the game, whether it will be from the field, the owner’s box or from 30 rows up on the 50-yard line, fans will feel as though they are actually at the game. With so many fans cheering for a certain time and so few seats available in the stadium, fans can now get that game-day in-stadium experience no matter where they are.
This isn’t the Vikings first program with virtual reality. They have used virtual reality to help get quarterback Teddy Bridgewater up to speed during his recovery from a horrendous injury. A main component to his recovery and getting the mental reps in during the process was the use of virtual reality. With the use of 360-degree video to capture practice and game experiences, athletes can put on a headset and go over first-person film as if they are actually doing it.
The Vikings may be the first NFL team to utilize virtual reality to create immersive content for their fans to get closer to the team and the action. But this technology will continue to increase in popularity and more teams and brands are going to find ways to deliver these types of experiences to their fans.
