Time was, sports fans would get a bonus refrigerator magnet with their season tickets. But that’s so last century. Now, season ticket holders for one NFL team are getting a much more high-tech perk through augmented reality.
The Philadelphia Eagles unveiled this week a new addition to their team app that will add a host of supplementary content for season ticket holders who hover their smartphones over game passes. Each game will feature a different combination of highlights, previews, messages from players and analysis, according to the team. Videos will be able to be played with the tickets in the actual background for an augmented reality effect, or fans can opt to simply watch on fullscreen.
The Eagles say its the first time such technology has been used for NFL tickets, and developed the feature in partnership with the augmented reality company Aurasma.
“We are always trying to provide new features and experiences for our fans,” Eagles president Don Smolenski said in a press release. “We think there’s a real wow factor when season ticket holders hold their smartphones over these tickets and watch them come to life, launching videos that showcase some of our fans’ favorite players.”
Augmented reality features have become a mini sports marketing trend over the past few months. The New York Giants gave fans virtual Super Bowl rings and trophies in May after winning the NFL championship last season. More recently, a virtual version of French soccer’s Trophee des Champions was released to help promote a July 28 match in New York City between French clubs Montpellier and Olympique Lyonnais.
The Eagles also took another step into the digital space this offseason. In June, the team announced a partnership with Angry Birds to produce a spinoff version of the mega-hit mobile game.
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