US soccer team Tampa Bay Rowdies has partnered with Piing to host match-day interactive games on its big screens. Piing is an in-stadium gaming platform that enables spectators at sporting events to play games on stadium screens using their phone as a controller.

The Rowdies deal builds on Piing’s presence in the US market following a deal with the Rowdies’ sister club, Major League baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal also follows a number of successful soccer partnerships for the Manchester-based ‘games for crowds’ company in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Eredivisie and Euroleague Basketball, all using their mass-participation crowd games, which can be played by anyone with a phone.

Rowdies supporters can play Piing’s Penalty Shootout game, in which thousands of players attempt to shoot the ball into a virtual big screen goal, and Quiiz, which as the name suggests, tests the knowledge of every fan in the stadium. The Quiiz game will also be available to supporters watching at home. 

“Our partnership with the Tampa Bay Rowdies marks a huge milestone in the Piing journey,” said Piing CEO, Gareth Langley. “For the first time, soccer fans in the US will be able to take part in our interactive games and enjoy some half-time fun and perhaps even win a prize. For partners and sponsors, Piing provides an exceptional opportunity to engage with fans on a more personal level or to collect data.

“It’s also an exciting time for us as a company, as we see the US as a key market going forward, given the widespread sports culture and the suitability of our product in giving fans something exciting to do during downtime in play.”