COPA LIBERTADORES’ CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE HITS THE BEACH


Located on Rio de Janeiro’s famous Copacabana Beach, the fan zone featured numerous activations to whet the appetite before the big match. In the week leading up to the game, the fan zone showcased the Copa Libertadores trophy, allowing fans to witness the ultimate prize.
SVNS TO OFFER RUGBY FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE


World Rugby will aim to take the sevens format of the sport into a new era next month when its revamped SVNS series launches in Dubai, promising to “bring the biggest party to town” for event hosts.
‘PARTY COURT’ PLANS IN EXTENDED AUSTRALIAN OPEN


The Australian Open enters a new era as a 15-day tournament for its 2024 edition, and organisers are looking to raise the bar for what is already acknowledged to be one of the best fan experiences in world sport.
NASCAR FEELS THE SPEED WITH MIXED REALITY


Motorsport fans will be able to experience an immersive race weekend from the comfort of their own home thanks to a new partnership between XTADIUM, a virtual reality (VR) sports hub, and US stock-car racing series NASCAR.
NFL AFRICA TOUCHES DOWN IN CAPE TOWN


The National Football League (NFL) made a touchdown in Cape Town, South Africa this month, featuring a weekend of fan events to celebrate the commencement of the new 2023 season in the US.
BASKETBALL WORLD CUP SETS NEW BENCHMARK FOR FANS


The 2023 Basketball World Cup has served as a landmark event for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
Taking place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, the tournament’s opening game on August 25 shattered the event’s attendance record as 38,115 fans took to the vast 50,000-seat Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria to watch co-hosts the Philippines fall to an 87-81 defeat against the Dominican Republic.
GOLF’S VR DRIVE ACCELERATES


Two of golf’s major organisations have ramped up virtual reality initiatives in an effort to bring fans closer to the action this summer.
Ahead of The Open 2023, the R&A and Golf 5 joined forces to bring the major at Royal Liverpool in the UK to the metaverse.
Just like The Open, there were qualifying rounds, starting in July, with the finals set to conclude this month. The overall medal winner of The 2023 VR Open will receive a trophy and tickets to The 152nd Open in 2024, and winners from the other categories will receive limited edition VR Open memorabilia.
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER’S (MLS) COLUMBUS CREW’S PLAZA ACTIVATION


Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Columbus Crew and financial services company JPMorgan Chase recently unveiled the Chase Plaza at Lower.com Field, with the newly named space set to feature multiple activations and opportunities for local businesses to connect with fans.
Before each MLS match, fans are now able to experience interactive elements such as music, games, giveaways, corporate partnership activations and more. There will also be a slate of ‘specials’ at The Pub, which is located at Lower.com Field.
MOTOGP BIDS TO BRING FANS CLOSER TO THE STARS


MotoGP, the premier motorcycle-racing world championship, is focusing on enhancing the spectator experience after sealing a new partnership that promises to “usher in a new era of fan events”.
Dorna Sports, which organises MotoGP races worldwide, has struck a three-year agreement with NSN (Never say Never) to stage a series of events designed to offer a fresh perspective to fans.
EUROPEAN GAMES FAN ZONES TO GALVANISE WIDESPREAD INTEREST


Organisers of the upcoming European Games in Kraków-Małopolska, Poland, are putting preparations in place to share the vivid experiences of the multi-sport event across the country.