European sports fans want more tech, and mimosas apparently...
Sports technology industry insights, news, and analysis. Brought to you by STWS.
Welcome back to Sports Tech Feed! This week we spoke with Ridley Plummer (Senior Manager, Tennis Australia) about how the Australian Open is integrating NFTs and Web3 to better connect with its local and international fanbase. We also look at what sports are getting the “Drive to Survive” treatment with their own Box-to-Box Productions reality series and what European sports fans really want from their stadium experience.
Web3 In Sports (But Actually Useful)
Ridley Plummer has the coolest job title in sports (Senior Manager Metaverse, NFT's, Web3 & Cryptocurrency at Tennis Australia). And the job description matches the hype of the title. His job is to explore the present and future applications of new technology can be for Tennis Australia and the Australian Open. With the goal to find ways to use this technology as a tool to better the in-person consumer experience whilst connecting with a wider global audience.
NFTs are a key part of this. Since launching the AO Artball NFT collection last year, Ridley and the team at Tennis Australia have taken the initiative from a digital collectible into a digital membership that provides token holders with real-world benefits from tournament sponsors. Listen to the full discussion via your podcast platform of choice by searching “Sports Tech Feed”.
The “Drive to Survive” For….
A handy cheat sheet to stay up to date on what sports are getting the Formula 1: Drive to Survive reality show treatment from production company Box To Box Films.
What we’re reading: Anyone for Mimosas?
The Mastercard Sport Economy Index 2023, a survey of over 11,000 Europeans – published for the second year running – reveals that more people attended live sporting events (+12%) and regularly exercised (+10%) in 2022 than they did in 2021, as sport remains a powerful sector across the region, underpinned by a growing use of technology.
Over the past 12 months, the digital footprint of sport continued to rise, with more than six in ten (61%) Europeans stating that technology was a major lifeline in how they enjoyed their favourite events, teams, and competitors.
Respondents also said they’d like to see “Bottomless brunch before the match” and “Spa facilities with a pitch view”, so make of that what you will.
