Manchester City “push the boundaries” with VR tech trial

Manchester City are exploring innovative new ways of improving the matchday experience for international fans after partnering with tech firm LiveLike.

In their final Premier League home game of the 2015/16 season, City teamed up with Sky Sports and virtual reality company LiveLike to give select groups of fans in London, Melbourne and New York an immersive view of highlights, game stats and archive footage during the clash against Arsenal.

Diego Gigliani, the senior vice president of media and innovation at MCFC owner City Football Group, commented: “At Manchester City, we’re constantly exploring new ways to connect with our fans.

“In doing so, we proactively look for and embrace innovative technologies that can help complement our physical touch points and strengthen our relationship with our fans. Virtual Reality is one of them.”

He added: “There’s still a lot to be done until the technology matures and we find the right content offering, but the fans’ reactions to this test prove how incredibly engaging and transformational virtual reality can be.”

LiveLike’s chief business officer, Miheer Walavalkar, believes that in the near future, advances in the field of virtual reality will allow fans to enjoy an immersive matchday experience, regardless of where in the world they live.

Miheer explained: “Partnering with Manchester City FC has given us the opportunity to showcase the powerful immersive experience virtual reality brings.

“Together we will continue to push the boundaries of enhancing fan engagement.”

In a post published on the MCFC blog, Steve Smith, the director of production with Sky Sports, said the latest trial marks the “next step” in the broadcaster’s VR story.

He added: “Through our dedicated Sky VR Studio we will continue to explore opportunities across all genres of content in the Sky offering.”

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