Technology used to be a convenient addition to our lives; today, it’s an essential component. It’s impossible to think about what our lives would be like without the internet-connected devices that have had a transformative impact on virtually every facet of existence. While the sporting world was slower to adopt tech than others, today it’s an industry that has infused technology at practically every turn.
As spectators, we see this most directly in the fan experience, which has benefited significantly from technological advancement. Let’s take a look at just some of the ways that today’s sports fans are using technology to elevate their enjoyment of the sports they love.
Connecting With Others
Sports fandom has always been about connecting with like-minded people. Historically, this has not always been possible. Unless you were lucky enough to live close to the home stadium or followed a widely-supported team, fandom could be a relatively individual endeavor. The internet makes connecting with fellow fans a breeze — all you need to do is follow the right social media accounts and subscribe to relevant subreddits, and you’ll instantly be a member of a large fanbase with whom you can celebrate wins, commiserate losses, talk tactics, and so forth.
Diving Into Stats
Data analysis has long been commonplace in the sporting world, but only at a professional level. Teams would recruit data analysts to work behind the scenes, while the average fan had little access to all those numbers that outline what is working and what isn’t.
Now, fans have access to large quantities of data that they can use to argue their position, pick their fantasy football teams, or just simply indulge in the nerdier side of their passion. Accessing these sites offers something beyond what fans will find on the pitch, helping them to understand their chosen sport at a much deeper level.
Online Betting, Fantasy Teams, and Gameday Podcasts
Technology has allowed sports fans to embrace a wider variety of activities on gameday, via methods that are much more straightforward than they were in the past. The internet has made it much easier for far-flung fans to see their preferred teams in person, since they can buy stadium tickets and make travel plans online.
On the day, fans can then engage in traditional gameday activities, such as backing their team for victory right from their device. People have been betting on sporting outcomes for hundreds — if not thousands — of years, but rarely in a time- or cost- efficient way; today, they can place bets with a daily fantasy sports brand right from their smartphone on their way to the stadium. Bookmakers like FanDuel also offer promotions for new and returning customers that can be used to enhance odds and get used to the site with less risk.
Fans may also adjust their fantasy team before the action gets underway, or listen to a free podcast that raises excitement for the game. All of those things sound relatively commonplace, but none of them would be possible if the sports fan didn’t have access to an internet-connected device.
Following Action Across the World
Fans have been supporting teams on the other side of the planet for decades, but when you hear of their experience, you have to wonder why they bothered — in an era before the internet, international fans had to make do with only occasional written and video updates. It was far from an engaging experience.
In the modern era, technology has allowed fans to follow international teams in much the same way as fans support their local teams. International broadcasts allow fans to watch games in real-time, while the 24/7 nature of social media means that fans are never out of the loop regardless of where they’re located. This has had a positive impact on fans, who can feel closer to the action than ever before, as well as on sports teams, who are more readily able to tap into the revenue possibilities of distant fans.
What’s Next For The Fan Experience?
The fan experience has changed dramatically over the past few decades. In fact, it’s changed dramatically over the past few years. The sports industry has fully embraced technology and that looks set to continue moving forward.
With augmented and virtual reality improving all the time, it’s likely that sports stadiums and teams will find new and exciting ways to utilize these emerging technologies to engage fans. If this turns out to be anything close to the success that technology has brought so far, then the future of sports fandom is bright.
