Rugby is a traditional sport that has been played in much the same way for almost two centuries. But over the past few years, we’ve seen the introduction of new types of technology that are changing the way we watch. Will the metaverse bring about the next big change?
Movement toward online entertainment
The massive increase in online entertainment options has been a key aspect of the 21st century. Streaming platforms like Spotify, Netflix, and Apple TV+ attract huge audiences who enjoy the flexibility of choosing what to watch and listen to at any time. You can find many types of online entertainment, including live theater shows, artwork, blogs, and more. The effectiveness of the online approach can be seen in gambling when playing Starburst at Betfair Casino. The game is based on a classic slot machine with reels that spin to reveal different symbols. This shift to online slots has led to the emergence of features like wilds and respin expansions, adding variety to the genre without losing the basic gameplay.
Sports, including rugby, have been a big part of the shift to online entertainment. If you look for an upcoming game online, you’ll see offers to watch it on platforms like TNT Sports, Discovery+, and NZR+. Some of these services are free to use, while others require you to pay for a monthly subscription. This allows fans to easily watch local games and discover exciting contests from around the world. Rugby fans are already used to watching matches online, so the move to the metaverse will not be dramatic.
Internet use in the stadium
Imagine being in the stadium, but using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to get a more complete experience. If you can get online while watching a game, you can check game stats and see how other fans reacted to the action to decide whether you want to dig deeper. Another option is to follow other games online at the same time, which can be very tempting for following future rivals in the league standings or cup competitions. This in-depth study from Vodafone looks at the economic benefits of rolling out 5G in rugby stadiums. The report cites benefits such as an improved fan experience and a more efficient approach to food and beverage sales. It’s all part of the move towards personalized experiences, where each spectator can choose their own avatar and choose how they want to enjoy the game in the stadium, adding to the metaverse.
VR and the future of rugby in the metaverse
While VR is by far the most common use in gaming, the Scotland and France national teams are among the teams that have used VR to give fans a closer look at tours and training sessions. Some attempts have already been made to take the lead and enter the metaverse, with Leinster Rugby teaming up with BearingPoint to create one of the first rugby metaverse entries. As we have seen, sports can move further in this direction as they follow trends in online entertainment.
All of these entertainment options help us understand how rugby will become more accessible and adaptable to different tastes in more and more ways once it fully enters the metaverse.
