Vodafone 5G network brings fans closer to the action at the Ricoh Arena
Vodafone and Wasps transform the spectator experience at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, deploying a 5G network to provide immersive 360° content.
#5Gamechanger stadium seats offer fans the opportunity to livestream footage from different angles, see in-play statistics and peek behind the scenes in VR using Vodafone’s 5G network
With the help of low latency and high bandwidth, 5G transforms the fan experience to a whole new level of engagement
Vodafone 5G also helps Wasps reach new fans beyond the stadium, develop new business partnerships and enhance players’ training programmes
#5Gamechanger seats located in the Ricoh Arena bring fans video from 360° cameras placed around the pitch – including in the players’ tunnel, dug out and south stand – streamed over 5G to give fans a real-time perspective on the game, getting them closer to the action than ever before.Those fans lucky enough to be located in the #5Gamechanger seats can livestream footage from different angles on the Samsung Galaxy 5G smartphone, watch HD replays and view in-play statistics in real time. They can also wander behind the scenes and immerse themselves in AR entertainment at half-time.
“The sky’s the limit. 5G is going to revolutionise what we do here. Not only for our fans and partners but also for our playing department – it’s a really key facet for our business going forward.”
A high-performance network
If you want to give everyone ‘the best seat in the house’ and the kind of frame-by-frame analysis that only pundits usually enjoy, you need ultra-low latency and high bandwidth.
Vodafone’s 5G network is up to the challenge, as they demonstrated with the world’s first haptic rugby tackle – Wasps player Juan De Jongh instantly feeling the impact of teammate Will Rowlands, who was more than 100 miles away.
“The sky’s the limit,” says Stephen Vaughan, CEO of Wasps Sport. “5G is going to revolutionise what we do here. Not only for our fans and partners but also for our playing department – it’s a really key facet for our business going forward.”
With data and technology now a crucial part of a professional sports team and its players, 5G allows player performance information to be collected in real-time – how far they’ve run, the tackles they’ve made, and the G-force of collisions they’re involved in, enabling the coaching team to personalise training programmes for the players.
5G takes Wasps beyond the stadium
Vodafone’s 5G network is also game-changing for supporters at home as additional streaming content can be captured and shared, so they feel like they’re in the stadium itself.
“The Ricoh will be a great showcase for new technology to grow fan engagement,” adds Vaughan, “whether it’s about match days, food and drink or retail, there are so many exciting new things we will be able to do.”