5G to transform the fan experience at sporting events AR and VR fuelled by 5G set to take off in-stadium and at home, but eSports gets 5G caution By Heather McLean, Editor
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - 12:03
Print This Story
For most sports fans, their first experience of 5G is likely to be at a live sports event, according to the findings of a new study.
Based on research conducted by Ovum for Amdocs, a provider of software and services to communications and media companies, 5G will transform viewing both in stadiums and at home through the introduction of augmented and virtual reality experiences.
The research suggests that 76% of network operators in Europe plan to offer augmented reality (AR) services over 5G in support of sports events, bringing fans closer to the action.
Promising speeds up to tens of times faster and lower latency than 4G, 5G opens up the possibilities for new types of entertainment and in-stadium experiences. 5G will also transform the at-home viewing experience of sports events, with 88% of European operators planning to offer new multi-screen pay-TV services.
Catalyst for immersive experiences
On how 5G will transform the fan's experience of sports, live both in the stadium and remotely, Gary Miles, chief marketing officer at Amdocs, told SVG Europe: 5G is set to be the catalyst for a range of new immersive experiences for sports fans. Offering download speeds many times faster than 4G networks, and better response times too, 5G opens up possibilities for new digital services for fans, both in stadiums and at home.
In terms of stadia-based services, our research shows that 63% of network operators plan to offer virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) services to fans at stadiums. Using VR, fans could get closer to the action than ever, watching 4K, high definition replays and behind the scenes footage during a break in play, continued Miles. Augmented reality technology could give viewers a digital layer on top of the live sports action, which could for example provide a viewer with statistics and the names of the players they're watching. Fans will also be able to enjoy other new digital experiences, such as real time navigation tools, click-and-collect food and beverage ordering- all from their mobile devices.
He added: Audiences that are unable to attend a live sports event could still get a front row seat experience with 5G. 4K, high definition content can be streamed to a broader range of devices - from mobile phones, to VR headsets, live - something that is not possible with today's broadband networks. 5G also enables broadcasters to deploy more cameras in an arena, which could include drones, offering a wide range of camera angles and guaranteed high picture quality. This will give viewers a much richer experience than is possible today.
Meanwhile, Dom Tait, principal analyst at Ovum, noted: Perhaps the most exciting aspect of 5G from a sports fan's perspective will be a more personalised viewing experience, either in the stadium or at home. As one of our survey respondees commented, We will provide [the ability for fans] to watch their own games from their own perspectives as an athlete on the field . Imagine being at home with a VR device as 360-degree video of the 100m Olympic final plays out; you'll be immersed into the live experience while on your sofa. This is the promise that 5G offers.
Taking 5G forward through partnership
Broadcasters are now faced with decisions on how to take advantage of 5G through creating stronger relationships with mobile operators. Tait said: Teaming up with mobile operators is the most obvious choice as these operators are at the forefront of 5G testing and implementation. There have already been examples of this; in June 2018, Fox Sports used 5G to stream its US Open golf coverage in 4K, partnering with AT&T. In November 2018 at London's Wembley Stadium, EE and BT Sport used 5G for remote production and a 5G broadcast of an exhibition match between teams featuring YouTube personalities and retired soccer players.
Yet the research, which surveyed C-level executives from the world's 100 largest mobile operators, including operators in Europe, also showed a large number looking at a more proactive approach to sport and 5G. Altogether, 41% of those mobile operators stated that they intend to own a sports team going forward, to support their 5G agenda as they look to expand their involvement in the sports ecosystem. This is likely to result in growing investments in 5G connectivity and services at stadiums and large venues.
Audiences may not have to wait very long to enjoy enhanced sports fan experiences. More than two-thirds (65%) of European operators claim that upcoming major sports events, such as the 2020 European Championship, are influencing their 5G roll out timelines. The research also revealed that nearly a third (29%) of European operators plan commercial 5G launches in conjunction with top sports events. Also, 82% of European operators are targeting the Euro 2020 football tournament (June - July 2020) to kick off 5G experiences to the consumer market.
eSport caution for 5G usage
Meanwhile, 94% of European operators plan to trial 5G within sports and eSports venues by the end of 2020. All European operators taking part in the study plan to support eSports in the 5G era, either as technology partners to eSports event organisers (88%), broadcasters of the action (47%), or with far bolder plans, including eSports team ownership (12%).
ESports is growing rapidly in popularity with viewing metrics, prize money and sponsorship all increasing substantially year-on-year and is being considered for entry into the Olympics as a new discipline for Paris 2024.
However, Tait warned that combining mobile networks and eSports is an area that needs to be approach
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
19/08/2026
As the cost of IP nears price parity with traditional SDI, Reynolds argues that ...
19/08/2026
A private 5G bubble was chosen instead of traditional broadcast RF for the race ...
19/08/2026
(L-R) Rafael Manuel and Isabel Sicat attend the Filipi ana premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2026, in Park Cit...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
World Cup Games Generate 84 Billion Minutes Across FOX, Fox Sports 1 and NBCU...
19/08/2026
July brought typical peak-holiday drops in viewership, driven primarily by viewers stepping away from screens and a visible decline in reach across both traditi...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Henry joins BCE as the company accelerates its commercial strategy and expands its international presence across the media, broadcast and technology markets. He...
19/08/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced a major milestone in Android platform optimization with the successfu...
19/08/2026
NTP Technology announces that ST 2110-30 audio-over-IP connectivity with AES67 and RAVENNA capabilities is now available for the brand's world-class audio i...
19/08/2026
Net Insight has been selected to provide its Nimbra platform by the service provider Big Blue Marble, formerly ORS Group, as the core media transport solution f...
19/08/2026
LiveU has supported Coventry City FC and several other top-flight UK football clubs through one of their most demanding live production challenges of the year, ...
19/08/2026
Nature Seekers Documentary Shot with Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Filming endangered turtles required camera...
19/08/2026
Neyrinck Brings D-Control Consoles Back to Life on Apple Silicon with D-Control ...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Riedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure that brin...
19/08/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, will spotlight a major leap forward in remote guest con...
19/08/2026
Integrated platform melds media asset management, playout automation and newsroom workflows
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS have officially launched Nuvex, a conne...
19/08/2026
Screen Australia releases the Private Investment Toolkit to strengthen screen in...
19/08/2026
Do Aussies truly value local content? Unpacking Screen Currency 2026 with Deirdr...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
18/08/2026
SMT will provide race technology for FOX Sports' coverage of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. on August 23, when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES races ...
18/08/2026
The live, YouTube-native roundtables combine fan voices, credentialed reporters,...
18/08/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/08/2026
The industry legend sounds off on replacing the Heat's iconic Medusa score...
18/08/2026
William F. Rasmussen, the sports fan-turned broadcaster and entrepreneur whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network, ESPN, changed forever the ...
18/08/2026
DAZN Group has completed its acquisition of ViewLift, a provider of streaming and digital solutions for sports content owners. The acquisition was first announc...
18/08/2026
The American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) has added SI TV, Sports Illustrated's 24/7 streaming channel, as a broadcast partner for the remain...
18/08/2026
The Esports Foundation has announced that the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), originally scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, will be postponed to Novemb...
18/08/2026
Diversified has announced a new Global Managed Services Practice, consolidating the company's managed services capabilities into one organization. Rob Mello...
18/08/2026
Appear has completed a proof of concept with Thoroughbred Racing Productions (TRP), demonstrating multi-camera remote live production over bonded 5G cellular an...
5G to transform the fan experience at sporting events AR and VR fuelled by 5G set to take off in-stadium and at home, but eSports gets 5G caution By Heather McLean, Editor 
