Molson Canadian and Sportsnet Bring Live, 360-Degree Virtual Reality Experience to NHL Fans

VR has come to professional hockey. Molson Canadian and Sportsnet have collaborated to bring “the next big thing in sports innovation” to the NHL: live, 360-degree virtual reality.

For six consecutive Saturday night hockey broadcasts, Canadian fans will be able to watch games live in 360 VR via the Sportsnet app by using special virtual reality viewfinders, which are currently available in select cases of Molson Canadian across Canada. Molson says three different 360 VR cameras will be used during the games and that there is also behind-the-scenes footage.

“We are bringing the front row to you, live during some key hockey matchups as we enter the playoff stretch of this season,” says Duncan Fraser, Marketing Manager, Molson Canadian. “We’re creating an experience for Canadians to celebrate their love of the game like never before.”

The first VR game, between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, took place on Saturday, February 18.

“We are continually pushing innovation across our Sportsnet channels to give sports fans the best and most immersive experience,” said Rob Corte, Vice President of Production, Sportsnet. “Together with Molson, we are at the forefront of another ‘first’ for hockey fans, and are excited to bring them this unique viewing experience.”

There are five more games left to experience in VR over the next five Saturdays, inducing the Montreal Canadiens versus the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 25 and the Detroit Red Wings versus the Edmonton Oilers on March 4.

The kit includes a VR headset and unique pin code to access all the VR content, and instructions to download the VR compatible mobile Sportsnet app available on the App Store and Google Play.

https://borndigital.com/2016/12/16/how-new-technology-gets-sports-fans-off-couches-and-into-stadium-seats