The World Cup is enjoying unprecedented attention this year, particularly in the United States. The interest of a generation of Americans who grew up playing soccer – plus the U.S. national team’s good play – has led to big television ratings.
There also are thousands of Americans and fans from around the world who have made the trip to Brazil, smartphones in hand. They’ve enjoyed the games, the beaches, the music and the local cuisine, but there’s one thing they haven’t enjoyed: the benefits of the iBeacon at the stadium.
Retailers and some sports teams – primarily in Major League Baseball – have started to utilize iBeacon technology to enhance the experience for customers. The technology allows an iBeacon to detect the precise location of a customer’s phone and send them information about special offers and discounts, among other services.
It’s all very new, which may explain why the technology was not in use in Brazil, where some of the 12 stadiums were not completed until just before the games started.
However, there are many ways iBeacons could have made attending World Cup games better for fans. Hopefully, organizers in Russia – home of the 2018 World Cup – will look into using the technology.
Here are three ways iBeacon that would enhance the experience for fans, based on similar services already available at stadiums using iBeacon technology in the United States. These ideas are especially geared for World Cup fans, many who have traveled a great distance from many different countries to enjoy the event – but may feel completely lost in an unfamiliar country.
Where’s my seat?
Or, perhaps more importantly, where are the bathrooms? Much like Google Maps can help people navigate when they visit new cities, an iBeacon at a sports stadium can provide precise directions to your seat, the concession stands or the bathrooms. Such an app would keep you from wasting time wandering in and out of the wrong areas or walking all the way around a stadium to find the food you want.
What events are going on?
The game itself is only one part of the World Cup experience. Visitors also want to spend time in the host country, enjoying local restaurants, beaches and clubs, as well as World Cup-related events. But finding such events can be frustrating in a strange city. An iBeacon could let fans arriving early know about any pre-game events as well as let them know during the game what nearby events will happen once the games ends – all with specific directions and detailed information.
Did I Really Just See That?
Another potential application would be one that allowed iBeacons to relay information to fans in the stands during the game itself, including game statistics and highlight videos so you can watch that great save by the keeper over and over – and share it with those around you.
How iBeacons Work
For those unfamiliar with the technology, the iBeacon essentially extends location services for the iOS. With an iBeacon in place, your iOS can notify apps when you approach or leave a location and also pinpoint your exact location – within just a few inches – using a low energy signal designed by Bluetooth.
In a sports stadium, iBeacons are placed around the interior of the stadium – there are 65 in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, for example – allowing them to communicate with fans who have the proper app turned on. Users must also have iOS 7 or later and have Bluetooth enabled.
Those who frequent certain retailers already know how iBeacon works. In some Macy stores in San Francisco and New York City, for example, the iBeacon is already being used so that stores can communicate better with consumers. Through iBeacon, they can offer shoppers discounts or information on sales.
Enthusiasm for the technology is reaching a fever pitch in the media. A recent Washington Postarticle predicted the technology could “change the world” by vastly improving how Smartphone users interact with their environment, far beyond what has been available with services such as Google Maps and FourSquare. ABI Research projects that 60 million iBeacon units will be in the market by 2019.
And while there were none in this year’s World Cup stadiums, expect soccer – as well as major retailers and a bevy of sports teams – to embrace the technology in the near future.
iFame Media provided this article on behalf of AirFun Games, a company dedicated to providing top notch event rentals and party solutions Tampa, FL.