Fox Sports Presents MLS Cup Final in VR for the First Time
- Thursday, December 8th, 2016
- Share this article:
Fox Sports and Major League Soccer (MLS) have teamed up with virtual reality company LiveLike to broadcast Saturday’s MLS Cup Final in VR for the first time, with Audi as presenting sponsor.
During the match, viewers will be able to choose from five different camera angles – with or without a headset – and can also enter a ‘virtual suite’ with access to line-ups and live statistics.
The VR experience will be available to those on Android, iOS or using Samsung Gear VR when coverage begins 10 December at 7:30pm ET on Fox. Fans can access the game by downloading the Fox Sports VR app and signing in with their television provider credentials.
Exclusive to iOS users will be a VR replay feature, allowing viewers to rewind the game in 30-second increments going as far back as 30 minutes – as well as the ability to control replays from different camera angles.
Audi’s presenting sponsorship gives it in-suite branding, an in-suite Audi car and real time delivery of each player’s performance based number, calculated by combining in-game metrics, through Audi Player Index.
“We partnered with MLS to support the continued growth of soccer in America,” said Loren Angelo, VP of Marketing, Audi of America. “The Audi Player Index has allowed us to bring technology to the sport and to elevate fan engagement. Through VR, fans will have the opportunity to interact with the sport in a way they never have before.”
Like many automotive brands, Audi has been very keen to be involved in the VR revolution. Since as far back as 2014, it has been using the technology to put potential customers in the driving seat, and earlier this year outfitted some of its dealerships with an immersive VR experience.