The UAE Pro League announced on Tuesday that it plans to broadcast full, live soccer matches in virtual reality to fans around the world via an iOS and Android mobile app.
The virtual broadcasts, called the AGLeague VR Seat Experience project, will be produced in partnership with UAE mobile wireless giant Etisalat and communications company Media Pro. As part of the deal, E-Vision and Media Pro will hold the exclusive VR broadcast rights while Etisalat, a sponsor of the Arabian Gulf League, will be able to use the content and broadcast it through VR technology.
The Pro League’s virtual reality app will enable soccer fans to follow all the action on the pitch via a handful of virtual reality angles, with cameras placed on the sides of the field and behind the two goals. The app is also equipped with a replay function and statistics about players and league standings.
Get The Latest Sports Tech News In Your Inbox!
“This is the first time anywhere in the world that a full football match is broadcast using this technology,” Pro League Committee CEO Waleed Al Hosani said at a press conference announcing the partnership. “There have been experiments with highlights and recording, but live broadcast of a full football match has never been done.”
The new experience is part of the league’s 2017-2020 strategic plan to boost sports innovation and increase adoption of technology and apps for soccer fans, according to Al Hosani.
SportTechie Takeaway
Leagues and tech companies around the world have been experimenting with how to broadcast sporting events to fans at home in virtual reality. Last season, the NBA partnered with NextVR to stream virtual reality programming through NBA League Pass and virtual reality highlights of the NBA Finals. This season through the TNT VR app, certain weekly games of NBA playoff contenders are being broadcast in virtual reality using Intel True VR technology. The broadcast features live games available in four camera angles, as well as replays, highlights and exclusive VR cast play-by-play commentary. This year’s Winter Olympics also showcased Intel True VR technology with 18 live events and pre-produced segments.
Soccer games have been broadcast in virtual reality in the past, including in 2016 when Livelike streamed a game between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC that similar to the UAE Pro League included the live broadcast, replays, stats and highlights. In 2017, FOX Sports offered the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus live in virtual reality, while The EAFF E-1 Football Championship, a men’s soccer competition among nations in the East Asian Football Federation, offered fans mobile virtual reality broadcasts whether the team was playing at home or on the road through a partnership with rights holder Fuji TV and LiveLike.