In a pioneering move, Burnley Football Club (FC) is set to broadcast its pre-season friendly against Lazio on August 9th in immersive virtual reality (VR). This groundbreaking initiative will allow fans to watch the match live from virtual stands in Premier League Player VR, the officially licensed VR game for the English Premier League.
The Premier League Player VR is available on Meta Quest and has been developed by Rezzil. Burnley FC has confirmed an ongoing partnership with this innovative tech company. By streaming the friendly match on this platform, Burnley FC aims to deliver a first-of-its-kind immersive virtual reality broadcast.
Experiencing Turf Moor in virtual reality
This unique initiative offers fans an unprecedented opportunity to experience Turf Moor - home of Burnley FC - in a whole new way: through virtual reality. The club believes that this move marks "a major step forward in how fans experience football".
Burnley chairman, Alan Pace, said:
“This partnership with Rezzil and Premier League Player allows us to share the magic of Turf Moor in a truly immersive way. It reflects our forward-thinking approach to fan engagement and our commitment to global supporters. Our mission is to provide the best experiences to fans, and by entering into the world of Virtual Reality, they can get closer to the game than ever before.”
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Burnley FC and the Premier League Player to bring fans a truly next-generation football experience,” said Andy Etches, co-founder of Rezzil. Our technology has long been trusted by elite athletes to sharpen performance, and now we’re using that same technology to bring it to supporters. It’s a new way to watch football; it’s like having a seat in the stands.”
The upcoming VR broadcast brings a host of exciting features to the table. Fans will be able to enjoy a full panoramic view of the pitch from their own personal virtual seat inside Turf Moor, providing an immersive experience like never before. In addition, they will have access to live match commentary and real-time visuals, including player kits and club branding, enhancing the authenticity of the virtual experience.
The platform also offers a single-user environment designed for focused, uninterrupted viewing. What's more impressive is that this unique viewing experience comes without any cost - it's free on the Meta Quest Store with no subscription or paywall involved.
Revolutionising fan experience
Burney FC's venture into broadcasting matches via virtual reality represents an innovative approach towards enhancing fan engagement and revolutionizing how sports are consumed globally. It not only brings fans closer to their favorite teams but also opens up new possibilities for sports broadcasting.
Burney FC's first-ever VR matchday broadcast is a significant stride towards the future of sports viewing. It offers an immersive and interactive experience that goes beyond traditional broadcasting methods, providing fans with a unique opportunity to feel closer to the action than ever before. This initiative could potentially set a new standard for how football clubs engage with their fans in the digital age.
