Manchester City, the current English Premier League winners, has begun to build the world’s first football stadium – A replica of Etihad Stadium in the metaverse, collaborating with Sony’s virtual reality (VR) experts. The English Premier League champions have entered into a three-year agreement with Sony.
While the project is still in its early stages, teams of the company’s specialists have already visited the Etihad Stadium to digitally map it and construct a virtual reality version, according to an exclusive report.
The Champions Are All Set to Build the World’s First Football Stadium in the Metaverse
Manchester City expects its fans to reap the benefits of having a virtual stadium. Although COVID limitations continue to limit some people’s travel choices; the opportunity to watch games in Metaverse environment might be a refreshing break for those who want to go back into a gaming setting.
By constructing the virtual Etihad Stadium; the team breaks down geographical barriers for fans who want to participate in live or recorded games.
Nuria Tarre, Manchester City Football Group’s chief marketing officer, told Inews on February 18:
“The whole point we could imagine of having a Metaverse is you can recreate a game, you could watch the game live, you’re part of the action in a different way through different angles and you can fill the stadium as much as you want because it’s unlimited, it’s completely virtual.”
Ideas for Meeting Other Metaverse Players Were Discussed
Other ideas that are in the process of investigation; it includes the prospect of fans meeting up with other metaverse gamers, chatting with one another; and purchasing items that are not available in the augmented reality.
Tarre further added:
“I think the traditional image of someone sitting on a sofa, watching a screen, is something we cannot imagine is going still be the reality not even in 10 years; maybe in five years’ time already. Things move much faster than we think.”
Football can potentially change the way broadcast rights are distributed if it becomes a hit in the metaverse. Currently, they are now deliver to broadcasters as part of a Premier League-wide package; although teams are considering selling them directly to fans in the future; maybe through their metaverses.