The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced a strategic partnership with VOKE (who the Sacramento Kings invested in earlier this year), a virtual reality (VR) company. The goal is to use VOKE’s VR tech to provide fans with an immersive game day experience that coincides with the release of the official Jags Gameday app.
In addition to providing the in-app VR instant replay technology during games, the Jags also plan to have the app serve as a must use resource for fans to consume information that will make their attendance of a game more engaging.
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VOKE’s VR platform is considered multi-dimensional as it utilizes a synchronized multi-pod, 180-degree camera system – which for an NFL game will have one pod on each sideline and one in each end zone. The VR content was put to the test last Sunday at EverBank Field with fans using the new Gameday app to view and control instant replay that could be seen from multiple camera angles.
“The Jags Gameday app provides football fans at EverBank Field with unprecedented access to the most modern technology designed to enhance their experience,” said Jaguars Vice President of Marketing & Digital Media Steven Ziff. “VOKE’s in-app VR technology allows fans at EverBank Field the ability to immediately watch VR instant replays of every play from multiple angles around the stadium, while controlling their own zoom, tilt and pan from each camera angle.”
Jacksonville’s Gameday app will also give fans a resource that is designed to anticipate their desires on Sundays. The app’s home screen automatically filters content based on the status of the game: pre-game, during game or post game. For example, team news, ticket info, weather reports and directions to the stadium are presented early on game day. Then as the time of game nears fans will then be transitioned to see parking and seat maps as well as roster and concession updates (a good opportunity for the Jags to use their new partnership with Uber). Then once the game has kicked off, the home screen of the game day app will feature the VR instant replay capabilities. 
“We’ve worked with the Jaguars to develop a unique and robust platform in the virtual reality space that other stadium environments simply don’t have,” said S. Jay Jayaram, VOKE’s co-founder and CEO. “We are pleased to provide the first in-stadium VR experience that every fan can enjoy from their seat in the stadium. A fan in any seat in the house can get immersive views from on-field locations. In essence, fans get to enjoy virtual field passes while attending the game.”
The Jaguars and VOKE are also working beyond the game day app to bring new tech to the organization for both fans and coaches. For example, when the Jags played in London this season, they worked with VOKE to use Oculus Rift VR headsets to create live streams to EverBank Field in Jacksonville through real-time VR feeds. Additionally, the Jaguars announced that VOKE is also developing proprietary software for Jacksonville coaches to potentially use as teaching and practice tools for players. Which is certainly a trend we are seeing with VR tech in football.
“The Jaguars are using innovative technology to provide our fans with a first rate experience. We chose to partner with VOKE because they are leaders in live-event VR technology,” said Senior Vice President of International Development Hussain Naqi. “Together, we’ve already brought VR technology to our International Series game as part of NFL on Regent Street. We intend to continue using VOKE’s VR technology to enhance our efforts at home and abroad.”
Jags fans can now get the Gameday app on mobile devices and tablets at the iTunes and Android stores.