The face of sports is ever-changing, and so are the fans. Especially for fans in the millennial generation. With this generation of sports fans, the impact of engagement is crucial to success in the sports world.
For our generation, getting fans in the door is not easy. Ticket sales may be lagging with some organizations, but TV viewership numbers show us that sports are still popular.
According to Statistica.com, 90% of fans are willing to pay for more sports programming.
So, if people are watching sports in record numbers, why can’t teams get fans in the stands?
The answer is simple.
It used to be that sports fans just wanted to watch the games.
Now sports fans want to be part of the games.
For our generation, it’s not just enough to watch the games. We want to feel a part of it. We want to be involved. We want to feel like we matter. From online commentary, memes, VR & in-game challenges, to livestreams; we want more than to simply just watch the game.
The obvious viewpoint is - if we wanted to watch the game, we could have saved money and watched from home. They’re still going to make that goal or get that basket whether we are on our couch home or in Section 106. The people we are watching the game with will still get excited for their team no matter where we watch it. So when we do pay to go to a game, we want an incredibly immersive, personalized experience.
Teams and leagues have caught on. They’ve come up with innovative and interactive elements that entice today's generation of sports fans. From players doing live stories on social platforms, to interactive cams in the stadiums, to VR elements and gaming challenges in the stadium. They are using technology to make us feel as though we are a part of the game. They’re aiming to please and get our generation in the stands, and experiencing success therein.
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At Knox Sports, we are on board with all the interactivity that is motivating our generation. We understand that people want to be involved in all aspects of sports. They want to feel a part of the game. Here are some recent examples where we combine in-arena activity with a sponsor payoff:
- Our client Vology sponsored the free Wifi in the Tampa Bay Lightning's area, Amalie Arena. That way everyone can use their phone, social platforms, and more during the game without having to use data. This tech company is hoping to make the right impression on potential clients all season long.
- Our clients Chicken Salad Chick and Texas Farm Bureau Insurance both sponsor interactive cams in the stadium. This ranges from dance cams, kiss cams, etc. It puts the fans in the spotlight and gives them a chance to shine on the big screen.
- Our client Polk’s Meat does a trivia game called “Meat the Player” where you have to guess trivia facts about the player and the player lets you know if you’re correct or not on the video board. What better way to let the fan feel connected by playing trivia games with a player through the big screen?
The way this generation views sports is clearly changing, but the teams and the sponsors that work with Knox Sports are already paving the way for this generation to fully enjoy sports!