Copa90 will launch its own virtual reality channel through the NextVR app next month. The channel will debut with a behind-the-scenes profile of U.S. men’s national team star Christian Pulisic recorded during the International Champions Cup.
NextVR broadcasted A.C. Milan’s clash with Manchester United live in high-resolution VR on Wednesday—the English team won on penalty kicks after the two played to a 1-1 tie—and will also show FC Barcelona against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Another eight games will be available through on-demand highlights. Copa90 is the presenting sponsor in advance of the Aug. 14 launch date for its VR channel.
Copa90 is a global soccer media company that counts Liberty Global and Turner among its investors. Its U.S. YouTube channel was known as Kick until a rebranding as Copa90 US last summer.
Pulisic’s Borussia Dortmund club is part of the ICC, and his VR footage was shot prior to a match against Manchester City at Chicago’s Solider Field. NextVR and Copa90 collaborated on a three-part feature series related to the ICC.
“NextVR’s technology is mind-blowing, and for the first time ever, fans can watch COPA90 in high resolution VR, providing them with a unparalleled viewing experience,” Copa90 CEO Tom Thirlwall said in a statement. “COPA90 wants to unite the world through soccer and this partnership and technology will only bring fans around the world closer together.”
LIVE #VR SOCCER ALERT
TONIGHT: Experience @acmilan vs @ManUtd at the @IntChampionsCup LIVE in the NextVR app at 8:00pm PT – presented by @COPA90US!
https://t.co/vhpiOYM1dC pic.twitter.com/xWUbYE9goG
— NextVR (@nextvr) July 25, 2018
SportTechie Takeaway
NextVR carried 27 NBA League Pass games this past season and conducted a test of an NFL game last winter, so branching into soccer is a logical next step. Partnering with Copa90 ensures broad distribution. Copa90’s World Cup coverage tallied 500 million views, the Copa90 US Twitter account has nearly a half-million followers, and the global Copa90 Facebook page has 3.2 million.