- April 12, 2017
- Posted by: SportsV
- Categories: Home News, Industry News, News
The Sacramento Kings and Xperiel announced the launch of a new fan experience and engagement innovation called ‘Photo in the Plaza’ for fans during the team’s Sixth Man Celebration at the final home game of the 2016-17 season at Golden 1 Center.
Using the Kings + Golden 1 Center app, fans can submit photos to be featured in real-time on the arena’s custom 25ft vertical LED video screens at the Grand Entrance.
Kings Chief Technology Officer, Ryan Montoya, said:
Technology allows us to create unique opportunities for our fans and make memorable experiences. By connecting fans to the arena’s advanced features through our app and providing a hyper-personalized way to welcome them to the arena, we’re changing the way teams look at technology, while leaving our fans with an enhanced experience – even before tip-off.
To participate in “Photo in the Plaza,” fans can take or upload a photo of their choice by visiting the “Fan Zone” section within the Kings + Golden 1 Center app. Submitted and approved photos will be placed in a live queue to be displayed on the Golden 1 Center external video screens. As fans arrive in the plaza near the Grand Entrance, their app will serve as a remote control to the arena and trigger advanced BLE beacons. The screens will continuously update with new photos as fans arrive at the arena, welcoming them to the game on Tuesday, April 11. Future Kings games and arena events, like concerts and family shows, can also feature Photo in the Plaza integration.
Alex Hertel, CEO of Xperiel, said:
There is a density of technology that you can only find in sports arenas and stadiums, like Golden 1 Center. We are moving away from the idea that an app should run only on a mobile device and instead embracing the fact that it can run throughout an entire arena. This thinking puts the Kings fan experience not only in their hands, but also up on the big screen, part of ticket sales, ticket scans, etc. With Xperiel, the whole arena becomes a device that provides experiences.
Recently ranked No.1 on both Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Company in Sports” and SportTechie’s “25 Most Tech Savvy Sports Teams,” the Kings have served as an industry leader with over a decade of innovation to redefine how fans interact with the team. Now, with Golden 1 Center, the world’s most technologically advanced arena, the Kings are utilising next-generation technology to enhance the fan experience through a first-of-its-kind app, an unmatched internet connection, the NBA’s only 4K video board, and many more innovations to create a seamless and frictionless environment.
Back in September, the Sacramento Kings and Golden 1 Center announced a first-of-its-kind dual application (app), available for free download in the App Store and Google Play. The app is a new platform to experience the technologically-enhanced features in Golden 1 Center, and to provide fans with a channel to receive team updates and information.
This original approach to a multifaceted app was created in partnership with industry-leading digital technology provider Built.io and designed by Webby Award-winning digital creative agency M&C Saatchi LA.
The new Kings app, powered by Xfinity, features focus on enhancing the guest experience by providing fans with unmatched customer service and access to real-time information, right at their fingertips. When guests utilise the app, their hyper-personalised arena experience will feature on-demand information regarding every aspect connected to their visit, including information about transportation and parking, arena line queuing, and access to advanced game metrics, exclusive video angles and more. The app will also feature an advanced gaming platform for fans to make predictions and compete against one another in real-time.
Kings Owner and Chairman, Vivek Ranadivé, said:
No other arena will provide fans and guests with real-time information and extreme customer service like Golden 1 Center. This new app will be the fans’ remote control for the world’s most advanced arena, allowing them to customize and take control of their experience, and engage with the team like never before.
Behind the scenes, Built.io’s advanced digital platform provides the Kings with the ability to add new features and evolve with the demands of Golden 1 Center and the fans. The app’s backend runs 1,500 automations per game across 10 unique application program interfaces, ranging from the NBA to Urban Airship to PubNub. This synchronises a real-time experience with up-to-the-moment scores, play-by-play info, shot-chart details, as well as team and player stats and more. All told, the combination of products is a backbone that accommodates an incredible 30-plus integrations.
Built.io Co-Founder and CEO, Neha Sampat, said:
No other app delivers as much real-time information and on-demand access like the Kings + Golden 1 Center App. It’s a great industry example of how best-of-breed technologies and services can be integrated to deliver an unprecedented user experience. We’re thrilled to partner with a team that prioritizes advanced technology and delivers unique solutions directly to their fans.
Fans can access real-time information about multiple transit and parking options.
The seamless experience begins when fans prepare to come to a game or an event. Kings Season Ticket Members can easily view and manage their tickets in the app through a Ticketmaster integration. Fans can also browse the Kings and Golden 1 Center schedules to purchase tickets for single games, concerts or shows at the touch of a button. Single game and event ticket holders can also enjoy a seamless experience of viewing and managing their tickets, making entry into the arena quick and easy.
As fans head downtown, they can access real-time information about multiple transit and parking options. UBER integration, a direct link to purchase parking in advance, as well as select public transportation information will all help fans plan their route downtown.
Once in the arena, high-quality maps will help fans navigate the concourse and get right to their seat. Real-time information will let fans know if the line is long at their favourite local eats or if there is a wait for a nearby restroom. From their seat, fans will be able to order delivery from the arena’s NBA-leading farm-to-court menu, featuring local favorites alongside arena classics. Seat and experience upgrades will also be available for purchase from the app, as well as team merchandise and memorabilia.
Kings fans in the arena can take advantage of special features only available in Golden 1 Center. During games, multi-angle replays and live streams will give guests in the arena the opportunity to catch the action from multiple perspectives. Fans will also have instant access to a new way of visualising a wide range of team and player data as the game progresses.
In a professional sports team first, KAI – Kings Artificial Intelligence, the team’s Facebook Messenger bot — will be featured in-app to answer questions about the team and venue.
The new Kings app also features an integration from LAVA, a cloud-based customer engagement platform that utilises machine learning to engage and fans with hyper-personalised experiences. By using the app and coming to games, fans will be eligible for these tailored offers and rewards based on their activity within the app and at the arena. For concerts and shows, guests can switch the app to Golden 1 Center mode at the press of a button. Here, app users can find set lists in anticipation of an upcoming concert, track show announcements and get up-to-date event details, in addition to features designed to enhance the arena experience.
