One innovation with the potential to revolutionise the sports industry is the concept of Digital Twins. In its simplest form, a Digital Twin is a 3D replica of real-world locations within the Metaverse. In this article, co-written by World Football Summit in collaboration with Zetly and Transmira, we explore the extraordinary potential of Sport Metaverse Digital Twins and how they are set to reshape the sports landscape. Plus, don’t forget to subscribe to our WFS Newsletter for more insightful articles and industry news!

Enhancing Athlete Performance

Digital Twin technology offers limitless possibilities and substantial benefits, especially when applied to sports. It allows for the creation of virtual replicas of athletes or teams, facilitating the monitoring of their performance, identification of areas for improvement, and the optimization of training and game strategies. This innovation has the potential to take athlete performance to new heights.

Simulating Scenarios and Strategies

One of the key advantages of Digital Twin technology is its ability to simulate various scenarios and strategies. For example, a basketball team’s Digital Twin can be employed to simulate different game situations, test diverse plays and strategies, and provide coaches and players with valuable insights to enhance overall performance. It’s a game-changer for strategy development.

Revolutionising Fan Engagement

Digital Twins have the power to elevate fan engagement to a whole new level. By creating virtual replicas of stadiums or arenas, fans can enjoy an immersive and unique viewing experience surpassing what’s possible in the physical realm. Features such as 360-degree views, interactive elements, and real-time statistics enhance the fan experience, making it more captivating and engaging.

Increasing Revenue Streams

The enhanced fan experience made possible by Digital Twins can attract a larger fan base and, subsequently, increase revenue streams for sports organisations. The business prospects are extensive, offering new and exciting revenue opportunities for sports entities.

Improving Efficiency of Sports Facilities

Beyond enhancing athlete performance and engaging fans, Digital Twin technology can contribute to the efficient operation of stadiums and arenas. It can assist in monitoring and optimising energy usage and crowd flow, leading to cost savings and a more sustainable approach to managing sports facilities.

The Real World Sport Metaverse

In collaboration with Transmira, the developer of OMNISCAPE™, the first XR Metaverse platform blending Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), Zetly is poised to embark on an exciting journey. This fully photorealistic solution aims to bring fans’ experiences to an unprecedented level of fan engagement and monetization. Fans will be transported into a thrilling virtual realm where they can explore digital twins of iconic stadiums, interact with historical football moments, and connect with legendary players like never before.

Digital Twin technology holds immense potential for sports organisations, offering improvements in athlete performance, fan engagement, cost reduction, and revenue increase. As more sports organisations explore the possibilities of Digital Twins, we can anticipate exciting developments in this field in the coming years.

Are we ready for such stadiums and changes in sport? Absolutely. However, this journey involves education, the implementation of long-term strategies by clubs and managers, and most importantly, choosing the right partner and solution that enables sports clubs to evolve based on new trends and technologies. As we embrace the Sport Metaverse and its Digital Twins, we are on the cusp of a transformative era in sports that promises to be truly extraordinary.