The spread of coronavirus around the world has significantly affected the global sports industry. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the most significant disruption to the worldwide sporting calendar since World War II. As the shutdown continues, sports brands are looking for innovative ways to increase fan engagement in the age of COVID-19.
1. Stadiums filled with cardboard fans
Bundesliga was the first top European league to resume playing. Borussia Mönchengladbach supporters have been invited to upload photos of themselves and purchase a cardboard figure for €19 to be placed in the stands for their first home fixture against Bayer Leverkusen. In total, more than 20,000 cardboard cutouts have been ordered so far.
Other leagues around the world are discussing similar plans. Turkish football clubs are trying a model with two price tiers: €16 for season ticket holders and €19 for regular fans.
2. Using sex dolls to fill the stands
For sports teams trying to recoup ticket revenue, cardboard fans aren’t the only idea in the mix. South Korean FC Seoul filled its fan seats with actual sex dolls to add to the atmosphere during a closed match. The club has been handed a 100 million KRW (€72,000) fine and widespread criticism.
3. Drive-in stadium experiences
Danish side FC Midtjylland have turned their stadium into a drive-through so fans can still watch games on large screens. More than 2,000 parking spaces were made available for the return game against AC Horsens.
4. Fans watching the games from virtual stands
Fans of the Danish Superliga side AGF Aarhus were able to watch their team play Randers from a ‘virtual stand’ they connected to using Zoom videoconferencing software.
Several giant screens were set up along one side of Ceres Park in Aarhus and filled with the images of locals connecting from home. Around 10,000 fans were able to join in and watch the match live.
Ready for tonight ??? #ksdh #agfrfc pic.twitter.com/vZKcENlysk
— AGF_English (@AgfEnglish) May 28, 2020
Sydney Swans have partnered with Zoom Video Communications to remotely engage their fans. During the returning game, Swans’ supporters were displayed on the LED screens.
Our members with us via @zoom_us as the boys head out onto the ground to warm up! #Bloods2020 pic.twitter.com/RPWji7I7yB
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) June 14, 2020
5. Virtual forums
Blackburn Rovers organized their first virtual Fans Forum.
? Last night saw the first virtual Fans Forum.
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) June 11, 2020
Minutes from the meeting will be uploaded onto the website in due course. pic.twitter.com/cOntlrWBSd
6. Quiz time with club legends
Former Premier League Champions, Leicester City is engaging remotely with the fans by organizing LCFC Legends Quiz. Every week, a Fox legend is heading up a quiz on club’s social media channels. Each question is being centred around the player’s individual career at the club.
7. Boca Juniors virtually celebrated the 80th birthday of their stadium
On May 25th, Boca Juniors celebrated the 80 years of its stadium: the legendary Bombonera. Technological solutions were applied to bring fans from Argentina and the world closer to the stadium. A virtual tour was the way to visit La Bombonera on the day of its 80 years.
Boca used Pixellot technology to display the empty stadium in real-time. The broadcast could be followed on YouTube which allowed fans to interact on the channel during the 24-hour celebration.
How Boca Juniors in Argentina celebrated the 80th birthday of their stadium with Pixellot. #bombonera #ai #automaticproduction pic.twitter.com/5DMsuy2Sl9
— Pixellot LTD. (@Pixellotltd) June 1, 2020
8. Bayern Munich face masks
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich sold face masks for fans in need of extra protection during the coronavirus pandemic. All incomes made from the sale of masks went to the ‘WeKickCorona’ campaign set up by Bayern pair Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich.
The donation initiative has already raised more than 5 million Euros for social and charitable institutions.
9. Free tickets in return for reading books
The New York Red Bulls has launched a program designed to reward students for their hard work as they are staying home. In return for reading 3 books, young fans can earn a free ticket to a Red Bulls game.
What are you reading?
— Red Bull New York (@NewYorkRedBulls) June 17, 2020
Join the Reading Goals Program, pres. by @SNHU, and earn a free ticket when you read three books!
?➡️ https://t.co/U67BNa7bqc#RedRunsDeep | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/TqqfOrYv0F
