Realife Tech, the platform specialising in venue app personalisation and commerce solutions for venues, today announced a five-year contract renewal with AEG Europe – owners and operators of landmark sports and music facilities and entertainment districts across the continent.

The companies, who have been working together since 2018, will see Realife Tech continue to power the white-labelled mobile apps for The O2, London; Barclaycard Arena, Hamburg; and Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin until 2026. 

The renewal will also see an expansion of The O2 and Mercedes-Benz Arena apps coverage in particular. The O2 will add smaller venue, indigo at The O2, to the app whilst the Mercedes-Benz Arena app will be renamed Mercedes-Platz, and incorporate the 4,350 capacity venue, Verti Music Hall and the district as a whole on to the app.

The renewal comes amid a clear shift in consumer behaviour driven by the pandemic - mobile experiences in entertainment venues were previously seen as a premium offering, whilst they are now a basic customer expectation. This consumer demand is driving the need for Realife Tech’s leading venue app functionality, with AEG Europe leading this shift in the industry.

A highly notable example of this is the roadmap The O2 has set out to deliver 100% of its tickets digitally via The O2 venue app, following the introduction of mobile tickets with official ticketing partner AXS, using AXS Mobile ID technology to prevent fraud and illegal resale. This level of adoption will enable the venue opportunities to drive increased revenue through upgrades and ancillary products, as well as distributing communications for both safety and experience-enhancing offers. 

Mobile ordering for food and beverage will be at the forefront of each venue’s reopening strategy and beyond, with app-only concessions and wider venue rollouts to become a permanent fixture in each venue’s strategy - reinforced by successful rollouts at similar Realife Tech deployments over the past six months. 

Alex Svensson, Director of Digital, AEG Europe said: ‘We are delighted to be extending our contract with Realife Tech. As our venues emerge from COVID-19, the need to move towards contactless customer experiences becomes ever clearer. With the rollout of the Mercedes-Platz app; the move towards a fully mobile ticketed The O2, and the continued focus on driving incremental revenue at Barclaycard Arena, everyone at AEG Europe is looking forward to getting back to what we do best, with our venue apps at the forefront of our strategy.”

“Building on the successes over the past 3 years in helping the world’s most popular venues, we are thrilled to extend our contract with AEG Europe to help visitors safely return to live events,” said Adam Goodyer, CEO and Founder of Realife Tech. “When visitors are able to enjoy concerts and shows in person again, the safety functionality we’ve built into the platform such as integration mobile ticketing, and contactless F&B ordering, will help create a more seamless and secure journey for all.”  

Realife Tech’s technology is available through each venues' mobile app. Learn more at www.realifetech.com.

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​The Tampa Bay Lightning have installed ProWire’s real-time audio streaming
technology at AMALIE Arena. Lightning fans will be able to access in-game commentary, live
rink mics and exclusive team content in real-time through their mobile device.
The fully integrated service will run on the existing venue WiFi network and will be accessible
via the NHL app. Tampa Bay is the latest NHL team to partner with ProWire and adopt their
recent NHL app integration. Fans in select venues can access the real-time channels by
downloading the NHL app and listening through their home team club page while they are at
the game.
“We are very excited to partner with ProWire to provide fans with cutting-edge digital
experiences at AMALIE Arena,” Lightning senior vice president of technology and innovation
Andrew McIntyre said. “Our fans will have access to the in-game audio broadcasts that they
know and love, and we’re looking forward to working with ProWire to deliver some new and
exciting real-time Lightning content as well. Our group has invested in venue connectivity to
provide our fans with enhanced digital experiences like this.”
ProWire’s patent-pending streaming technology enables venues with existing WiFi or 5G
networks to stream audio directly to fans’ phones in real time with no delay. Fans can access
in-game audio throughout AMALIE Arena and choose from a selection of channels to enhance
their experience.
“We are looking forward to working with the Lightning to deliver new and exciting content at
AMALIE Arena. Their existing digital infrastructure will allow us to deliver some truly amazing
real-time audio experiences for Lightning fans. Fans will just need their phone and
headphones to tap into a range of channels to bring them closer to the action,” says Gordon
Sumner, Co-Founder & CEO of ProWire.

Oak View Group (OVG) is partnering with Verizon to bring the power of 5G Ultra Wideband to select world-class OVG venues and give these arenas the ability to utilize next gen solutions to innovate public safety, access, concessions, crowd management and immersive fan experiences. The multi-year partnership with OVG makes Verizon the exclusive 5G and wireless partner to three OVG arenas, including New York UBS Arena, Seattle Climate Pledge Arena and Coachella Valley Arena.
UBS Arena, new home of the NHL’s New York Islanders, Climate Pledge Arena, home to NHL’s latest expansion team the Seattle Kraken, as well as the WNBA’s Storm, and Coachella Valley Arena, home to future AHL Palm Springs team, will harness Verizon 5G technology, as well as the Distributed Antenna System (DAS) and Converged Network Services (CNS) providing voice, data and wifi services. These will enhance the fan experience utilizing the power of the 5G network.
“The Verizon 5G platform is changing the way that fans experience live events and venues operate,” said Yvette Martinez-Rea, Vice President of Sponsorships and Partnerships, Verizon. “Working with Oak View Group as a strategic technology partner will enhance the in-arena experience for years to come.” 
“OVG venues are setting the new standard for Arenas globally. We are committed to innovation and redefining the fan experience across music, sports and live entertainment,” said Tim Leiweke, CEO, Oak View Group. “Welcoming Verizon as a founding partner is key to achieving this and we look forward to a long-term partnership.”
The Verizon Lounge at Climate Pledge Arena, where Verizon will sponsor arena concerts and is the presenting sponsor of shows, and the Verizon Lounge at UBS Arena, will host private members for an intimate and elegant experience.
UBS Arena, Climate Pledge Arena and Coachella Valley Arena are three of the new locations added to the growing list of stadiums and arenas with Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network. Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband is available in parts of more than 70 cities, 11 airports, and 50+ stadiums and arenas. Customers can now experience ultra-fast wireless speeds, up to 4 Gbps in some places under ideal circumstances, giving them the potential to download and stream movies and TV shows in seconds, video chat and collaborate on the go in near real time, and take advantage of new immersive customer experiences never before available wirelessly. Verizon’s 5G Nationwide is available to more than 230 million people in over 2,700 cities.
The company is a signatory of The Climate Pledge, for which the Seattle arena is named. The Climate Pledge is a community of currently over 100 companies and organizations, initiated by Amazon, working together to combat the climate crisis, by committing to reach net zero carbon by 2040. Verizon recently issued a second $1 billion green bond to invest in innovative solutions to accelerate the company’s sustainability efforts.
Verizon’s customer loyalty rewards program, Verizon Up, will offer members exclusive access at OVG arenas such as VIP entrance access, complimentary food and beverage, merchandise credit, and exclusive player photo opportunities.

The Sacramento Kings and Bigtincan®, the global leader in sales enablement automation, announced they have entered into a 3-year strategic partnership. The two leaders in technology innovation are building upon their relationship by way of joint market education campaigns, including "Masters of Efficiency," which correlates NBA advanced statistics with Bigtincan's sales efficiency tools and AI-driven approach.
"The Kings are committed to providing an exceptional fan experience through the use of innovative technology and partnerships," said Sacramento Kings President of Business Operations John Rinehart. "For the past six years, Bigtincan's Engagement Hub based on ClearSlide has been a game-changer for multiple sales arms of the Kings by enabling an efficient, effective and engaging sales process."
"We are excited to partner with NBA's technology leader to showcase how innovation enhances the fan experience starting with prospective buyers," said Bigtincan Co-founder David Keane. "Together, we are committed to delivering innovations that continually improve the customer experience when engaging with buyers in a digital world."
Bigtincan is recognized for their leading AI-powered sales enablement automation platform that unifies and automates sales, marketing, and customer service tasks to empower teams to learn faster, sell more and be more productive. Their Engagement Hub, based on ClearSlide, helps salespeople focus on the most promising leads, saves time during the sales cycle, and improves coaching. The result is an efficient digital fan buying experience – removing uncertainty and giving the buyer confidence that they understand their seat accommodations and view. This aspect was crucial when moving into state-of-the-art Golden 1 Center so fans could visualize their new experience within an (at the time) unfinished arena.
Bigtincan content insights provide a complete picture of buyer engagement and interests in an easy dashboard that allows data to guide the most effective sales content strategy. The analytics provided guide marketers to invest in developing content that is actually being used and delivering the most ROI. The partnership allows Bigtincan and the Kings to build next generation intelligent data models that reveal new insights into buyer behavior and content effectiveness – enabling the best experience for every Kings fan and Bigtincan customer.
The Kings are committed to using technology to enhance the fan experience. In February, in collaboration with Intel Sports, the team announced the launch of Intel® True View at Golden 1 Center, providing fans access to unique video content, including 360-degree highlights and unbounded perspectives of basketball action. In January, the team became the first NBA team to adopt Mixhalo technology to deliver pristine, high-quality audio in real-time to attendees at sporting events and concerts. In November, the Kings announced the first-ever official professional sports team Discord server enabling fans to gather online to share in community, interact and expand access to exclusive experiences. For their tech-first mindset, the organization has been named the "Most Innovative Company in Sports" by Fast Company and the "Most Tech-Savvy Team" by SportTechie.

Bayern Munich plan to show paper tickets a red card and go green by using only digital ticketing once fans are able to attend home games next season, it was announced Tuesday.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all home games at Bayern's Allianz Arena stadium have been played behind closed doors since March 2020.
However, once hygiene restrictions are lifted and fans can attend home games again, the club world champions plan to stop using paper tickets and put all ticketing online for 2021/22.
"Sustainability, conservation of resources and reduction of CO2 emissions are central issues at FC Bayern," said club vice-chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen.
He claims that by stopping the use of paper or plastic for tickets, Bayern can also eliminate "around 350,000 printed letters that were previously sent by post".
Bayern, who are seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with three games left, are poised to be confirmed league champions for the ninth straight season on Saturday.

The WNBA signed a multiyear deal with Google on Monday to be the presenting partner for the league’s playoffs, part of the technology giant’s efforts to help champion women’s sports.
Twenty-five WNBA games will be televised on ABC and ESPN in celebration of the league’s 25th season, with Google as the presenting sponsor. The league will also have 40 games on CBS and CBS Sports Network. The WNBA will also have 12 games streamed on Twitter and 20 on Facebook.
Google is the latest business to join the league as a “WNBA Changemaker,” a program that Commissioner Cathy Engelbert started last year.
Changemakers are intended to provide direct support to the WNBA in its ongoing business transformation across marketing, branding and player and fan experience. AT&T, Deloitte U.S. and Nike were the first three companies to join the program.
“When we launched our WNBA Changemakers platform at the beginning of 2020, we issued a call to like-minded companies to join us in elevating women’s sports, and Google has answered that call,” Engelbert said. “We are incredibly grateful to Google for becoming the latest WNBA Changemaker and for their platform of helpful products for everyone. Google’s support will be instrumental in driving our business transformation forward and demonstrates a commitment to the values we both stand for — including building sustainable equity.”
Google also will be an associate partner for the All-Star Game and the inaugural WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“It’s important to us that our product experiences are equitable for all genders and we want to make sure our media spend is equitable, too, bringing more women’s content to television,” Google chief marketing officer Lorraine Twohill said. “With the WNBA and ESPN, we can help ensure women athletes get the recognition and media time they deserve, so that the world can see their incredible talents.”
Other highlights of the deal include Google becoming the Official Trends and Fan Insights partner of the WNBA, as well as an official marketing partner and technology partner of the league. Google also has an agreement with ESPN to present a weekly montage of the best women’s sports highlights each week on “SportsCenter” beginning in May.
“ESPN has led the industry in its long-standing commitment to women’s sports across our programming and platforms, including as a founding telecaster of WNBA games and events 25 years ago and serving fans for over a decade through espnW,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said. “This new collaboration with the league and Google further extends our mission and dedication to elevating women’s sports, adding to the more than 16,000 hours of live sports programming we produce each year.”
The WNBA’s 25th season tips off on May 14.

As a modern sports fan, it’s probably safe to assume that you’re active on social media and other platforms, joining in on discussions, engaging with your teams’ content, participating in various competitions, and more. 

In 2021, sports fans are all over the internet- that’s just a fact. And they’re engaged by nature- actively looking for content, driving conversations, and trending topics (looking at you @TwitterSports). Sports pages on Facebook even have the second highest engagement rates across the entire platform, with alcohol beverage pages being the first. So when it comes to the industry as a whole, we know that sports fans are tuned in and committed, even in the off-season and non-game days. 

Sports teams are of course thrilled with the high engagement they get on a daily basis. But as it turns out, besides building out a digital community, that great engagement doesn’t actually do much for their business at the end of the day. And here’s why: While a Facebook post might garner 100k+ likes, the only way a team can know the person behind each like is by sifting through them one by one. Why? Because Facebook owns the data and uses it for its own monetary gain. So a majority of those fans on Social, engaging daily with their favorite team, are anonymous to the team which means they can’t directly market to them. With such large fan followings, on average 90% of a team's fan base is completely unknown to them. It’s time for an industry wake up call!

With SportsTech solutions in the market, like Pico - Get Personal, sports teams and leagues, and any organization with a digital audience, are finally being met with opportunities to safely collect and own first party data on their digital audience - on their fans. And with Pico, it’s not a strenuous task as we leverage the content teams are already promoting and turn it into a digital activation. Digital activations are a fun way to keep your fans engaged with unique experiences that truly benefit the team’s business by building up and deepening its CRM systems. We've helped teams like the Nashville Predators, Borussia Dortmund, and more solve one of the industries biggest challenges: identifying anonymous digital fans. Through our activations, fans have gone on to share their interest in tickets, have turned into last minute ticket buyers, have shared their merch preferences, favorite players, and other valuable data.

When a team knows who they are engaging with they can begin personalizing the experience of each fan. From knowing who is behind the like, to understanding the type of content that resonates most with them. 

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When TQL Stadium opens its gates for the first time this season, there will be a lot of technology working behind the scenes to make sure the fans of FC Cincinnati have an enjoyable time at their brand-new home.
While there will be state-of-the-art wireless connectivity and the newest versions of entry, concessions, and ticketing applications in play in the new 26,000-seat venue, the team owners were not looking to install technology for technology’s sake. Instead, they said their tech mission was to solve problems and create a unique, frictionless environment that would make going to games safer, easier, and more enjoyable, thereby making TQL Stadium that new home fans will want to visit again and again.
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