Each week we bring you some insight from the rapidly changing world of the Sports tech sector.
Today we look at innovation in ticketing and the metaverse from the upcoming Superbowl, an Audio enhancement from the Australian Open and the eight companies vying to win big at this year’s Arsenal Innovation Lab
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LISTENING TO THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Rafa Nadal’s historic 21st Grand Slam at the Australian Open came after a 5 hour and 24-minute final that went all the way to the full five sets.
One of the technical innovations we liked to come out of the tournament was a new way that visually impaired tennis fans could follow the action.
Using data from HawkEye’s ball monitoring it delivered a series of different sounds depending on the action that was taking place. Shot by shot.
There was a sound when the ball was struck and different pitches depending on if it was a forehand or backhand.
The location the ball was struck to was delivered to the left or right speaker and the proximity to the line was indicated by more or fewer beeps.
The system was trialled at last year’s event and developed to enough of a degree that every match was streamed this year with listeners / viewers tuning in from more than 70 countries around the world.
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THE ULTIMATE COLLECTIBLE FROM CREASED PAPER TO NFT
Fans who buy their cashless, paperless ticket for the Superbowl in two weeks time will also get a complimentary NFT with the seat number and stadium location that will be unique to them.
Just like the watermark tickets we keep in a draw as a reminder of the great sporting occasions we have been to, this was an easy switch to the digital world.
So now you have the ease and security of a completely digital ticketing experience but also the indefinable magic of something that you will be able to pass down through the generations.
So long as you don’t forget your password.
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ARSENAL INNOVATION LAB
The Arsenal Innovation Lab powered by Yolo Group has selected eight teams to participate in the 2022 edition of the initiative.
The selected teams will now take part in a 7-week programme with Arsenal to determine how they can bring innovative ideas that create new opportunities for our fans around the world.
“The applicant pool and the pitches we reviewed for this year’s Innovation Lab were impressive. We’re looking forward to working with the eight selected startups as they progress through the programme. We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to engage with our hundreds of millions of fans around the world and we’re excited to see how our fans will benefit from the ideas coming out of this initiative,” said Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal.
The Arsenal Innovation Lab powered by Yolo Group is aimed at tech startups focusing on the fan experience and embodies the club’s ambition to remain at the forefront of the game, on and off the pitch.
“We’re thrilled to have put together a programme that pushes the participants to truly redefine the fan experience for current and future Arsenal fans. On top of that, these ideas can lead to an ongoing collaboration with the club as well as an opportunity for investment and prize pool,” said Tim Heath, GP at Yolo Investments.
The eight teams selected for the programme are all focused on enhancing the Arsenal fan experience, whether at the Emirates Stadium or around the globe. They are:
• Endava Berlin GmbH – Combining video and data to provide a more insightful viewing experience for fans
• Forza Insider – Providing more opportunities for fans to interact with Arsenal digital channels through online games and virtual experiences
• Live Tech Games – Creating an online gaming community, Arsenal fans can supplement the gameday experience with their own prize-yielding mobile games.
• Moonberries – An online craft drink-making experience enabling Arsenal fans to create their own Arsenal inspired drinks.
• Salsa Sound Ltd. – Enhancing the fan experience through sound. Whether a fan is watching a game at home in Islington or half-way around the world, it will sound like they’re at the Emirates Stadium.
• Sodyo Ltd. – Using scanning technology to provide Arsenal fans with new digital experiences and information
• Valorafutbol – Creating a one-stop-shop for online Arsenal engagement through offerings such as streaming, games, statistics, and rankings
• Versus Africa – Will provide unique insights into the African market, helping Arsenal improve it’s digital offering to fans in the region
We’ll follow up with a closer look at one or two of these ideas in the coming weeks.
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META WATCH
The Superbowl is coming to Meta with a range of digital clothing being made available for fans of the Cincinnati Bengals and the LA Rams. Well, for their avatars at least.
More general sports fans who want to be around the biggest sports event of the year can also dress their virtual likeness in virtual sweatshirts with the logo of the event.
The gear can be put on Avatars that can be extended beyond Meta and might be appearing in Facebook, Instagram or whats app feeds.
“This represents real momentum on the road to the metaverse,” said Rob Shaw, Meta’s Director of Sports Partnerships. “It enables the NFL to drive engagement with its next generation of fans in a unified way across our technologies, which is a step toward an interconnected digital world.”
“And while we don’t have anything to share on monetization opportunities yet, we’re also moving closer to our ultimate vision of a future where fans can buy digital merchandise for their avatars – which will only increase the business opportunity for us and our partners.”
You know that’s coming with the certainty of the dawn.
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