Which sport do you tune into most often over the weekends? For some of us it’s basketball. For others, it’s baseball. And for many of us, it’s going to be football with the FIFA World Cup 2018 just knocking on our doors. Yet, sports isn’t what it used to be before. No matter what sport you love, it has been witness to technological changes that has made it better – take the goal line technology in FIFA football event, for one.
Technology has been transforming everything that we know. It has influenced healthcare at one hand while made it possible for man to go to travel to space. Technology has also influenced the sports industry to a great level.
Almost every sport takes help of some form of technology in modern time to conduct the game efficiently. Today we will explore the current sports technology trends for the year 2018.
Personalized Offerings
The sports industry survives on the shoulders of its fans. Related to sports there are several businesses operating. The age of smartphones, apps, internet, big data, data collection and analysis has changed how fans interacted with sporting events.
With machine learning and increased demand for personalization, you may soon get personalized offerings. This could be your favorite seats based on previous reservations or discounts on food and beverages at the stadium- the possibilities are endless!
Improved Communication
Some games like cricket and football need continuous communication between umpires or referees. Earlier in games of cricket the umpire used have walkie-talkies through which they communicated with the third umpire or other second umpire.
But now with Bluetooth and calling devices, such clunky technology has gone out of use. Now umpires have small earpieces attached to their ears through which they can communicate with other decision makers.
Even players are given Bluetooth devices- they talk with the commentators when the game is going on live!
Wearable Technologies
The invention of wearable technologies like the Fitbit has changed the training scenario and even the games. The smart devices can be worn like watches and present real time information on crucial health aspects like heart rate, pressure and so on. The information can be used by both the player and the coach to determine fitness regimes and address areas of concern.
The Boom of eSports
eSports hasn’t been included in the mainstream arena though its popularity has spread worldwide. Generating revenues of $465 million in 2017, it has earned a huge spike compared to $130 million revenue in 2012. A major part of the revenue is derived from sale of tickets where fans compete to get a chance to watch the event live.
South Korea still remains the main center of eSports though gamers come from all around the world. Even UK has opened up its market for eSports. An event due for the 2018-2019 season London soccer club Tottenham Hotspur is predicted to earn $4.04 million. Surely eSports is a major game changer in the sports industry.