Manchester City FC recently unveiled a new mobile app for Android and iOS users called “CityMatchday.” The new, free application is designed to enhance the fans’ experience by providing them with information and video content from the match in real-time.
There are several live video feeds of the match, constantly updated stats, video highlights, and even games to judge the referees. Within the app, users can vote on the referee’s judgement to give a player a yellow card in the “Be the Ref” polls.
The video aspect of the app is only useful for those inside Etihad Stadium; because due to legal issues, Manchester City can only stream video to those connected the the stadium’s Wi-Fi and are physically present at the game. However, fans not attending the match can still watch the pre-match show, CityTV Live, and keep updated on stats.
The match-day crew for this app is actually quite small, consisting of seven or eight people. Diego Gigliani, Manchester City’s Director of Media and Fan Relationship Management, utilizes fixed cameras that can be panned 360 degrees, so that no camera crew is necessary, just operators. Another aspect of the app that Gigliani hopes to one day add is a refreshments service in order to cut down wait times in line. This service is becoming more popular in stadiums worldwide, including the NFL’s 49ers Levi’s Stadium.
While the app provides a plethora of information and entertainment, some think that it will distract fans from the actual match. One reporter went behind-the-scenes at Etihad Stadium and experienced this app firsthand, noting that viewing a replay immediately after may be useful, but with a sport like soccer, one could miss the next goal if they were looking down at their phone.
Depending on feedback from fans about CityMatchday, more match-day apps could be coming for affiliated clubs on Manchester City, including recently added NYCFC and the Yokohama F. Marinos. If another club were to get a match-day app, it seems that NYCFC would be the first to get it. Playing at a new Yankee Stadium and being a very young club, it wouldn’t be difficult to add the necessary components to get the app ready for fan use. But regardless of who the next adopters are of the match-day app, it is a bold app that aims to offer fans a plethora of great content. More teams should look to follow suit.