By: Trent Sullivan (twitter: @trent3sullivan)
On
Sunday, September 14th, Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, home of the
49ers, made its grand opening. Although the 49ers fans might have walked away disappointed
from the 28-20 lose to the Chicago Bears, it was the first time many fans got
to experience the new “smart stadium.” The opening of Levi’s Stadium makes it
the most technically advanced stadium in the world. The 70,000 people plus capacity
stadium offers fans an experience unlike any other, which includes fans being able
to connect to Wi-Fi and 4G networks. There is a smartphone and tablet app
offered for fans and it really is what makes Levi’s Stadium different. The app
has the ability to tell fans where to park based on where their seats are and
the app can lead them to their seats once in the stadium. The app also allows fans to
watch replays of the game, look at stats, and order food and drinks from their
device and have it delivered to them or picked up in an express line. Another
function of the app, and probably the best is that is can tell the fans where
the nearest restroom is with the shortest lines. Al Guido, the 49es COO said,
“The 49ers wanted to transform the in-stadium fan experience and make it
possible to see the action live but still have the similar features that a fan
has at home while watching the game on TV.”
I think
this is a great example of how awesome and misused technology has become today.
The ability of the app being able to help fans with parking, finding their
seats, ordering food, and finding the nearest restroom is great, but isn’t the
point of going to the game to watch it live and get away from all of the technology?
Fans could be spending so much time worrying about everything included in
this experience that they will miss the live game right in front of them. Some
of my best memories growing up were being out at the ball park or stadium with
family and friends and now those memorable moments might be missed because of
the advancement of technology. Do you think that this much technology use is too much
for the fan experience and the simple enjoyment of watching a live professional sporting event?
I think this is a fabulous advancement! Even though you are not getting away from the technology I do not think it will impair your ability to watch the game! I think it will greatly improve it. When you have to go to the bathroom you miss valuable game time. When there is an app to tell you were the shortest lines our, you are actually saving time than what you would if you didn't have this app. Also by having the food delivered to you, you are saving drastically amount of time by staying in your seat and waiting for your food. You have more time watching the game and less time ordering, waiting, and going back to your seats. And for the instant replays and stats this can help the fans stay connected when they do have to miss the game for a short period of time.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree in some ways with how technology is getting "in the way" of enjoyment of sporting activities. There are definitely some really cool features that this new stadium offers. The parking, finding seats, and even ordering food is a helpful tool that helps in stadium efficiency to fans and those who work there. However, I agree that so many memories and opportunities can be missed if the focus is on how I can use my phone the entire time I am at a football game. Also, I wonder how the service and fast the internet service is with all the emphasis placed on the use of smart phones, does this slow down the speed of use?
ReplyDeleteI think that this is putting technology to awesome use. This is an example of technology automating for the better and I hope this kind of innovation carries over to every industry.
ReplyDelete