Unleashing techno-spectacles: smart stadiums as urban pulse Part 3
Key Takeaways
- The importance of the Chief Technology Officer and partnership with stadium construction, planning and commercialisation is critical from the outset to avoid costly mistakes after the build and future proof the stadium.
- Context matters– the stadium needs to reflect and embed the local brand and personality. Big in Texas, glitter in Las Vegas and sustainability in Seattle.
- Tech enables authenticity by augmenting community, business and sport values.
- Monetising everything from concrete pillars to L screens, three-part, segmented screens for targeted sponsorship activations and suites and lounges, pre, half time and post entertainment.
- More screens for more interactivity and engagement- AI filters, quizzes, games and lottos.
- Tech-enabled frictionless experience for fans- no lines for security, ticketing or food and beverage, driven by digital menus, pay and go stations, palm recognition technology and smart interactive digital signage combined with wide concourses.
- Everyone is a VIP– choice of seats, lounges, clubs, suites, and experience is maximised in addition to concession choice. Field seats and bunkers are now the premium VIP option.
- Sports teams owning their own broadcasting within the stadium.
- Next gens are livestreaming stadium experiences, with significant implications for stadium WiFi capacity– 17 Terabytes of data were accessed in just ten minutes during the recent BTS K-Pop sensation act in the US.
- There is a stadiums arms race of the central digital screen, which is bigger, double sided, architecturally designed and is a key activation for engagement and commercialisation. Even the naming of this technological essential feature is competitive, with “Halo” and “Oculus” to name a couple.
- Away team amenities are as good as the home team amenities, as a player attraction strategy.
- The future of entertainment is multisensory– The Sphere in Las Vegas is the the state of the art in this respect.
- Sustainable stadiums and entertainment– aesthetically appealing environments including gardens and wall forests, local supply chains, battery power, and sustainable fabrication.
About the Author
Professor Sarah Kelly, renowned for her global academic, leadership and governance expertise across education and sports management, drives forward-thinking initiatives to the world stage. A distinguished ‘prac-academic’, commercial lawyer and champion for inclusivity, Sarah leads with innovation and insight. For exclusive updates on the latest in sport, management, leadership, education, innovation, and research, subscribe at DrSarahKelly.com.au