As part of last year's SportsHack 2015 event, a Toronto-based team of students created a winning app called 'Fanalytics,' which aims to improve the way people choose their seats at CFL games. As a reward for creating the winning idea, the students received funding and technical support from the CFL to bring their app to market in the near future.
Fanalytics is an app that allows CFL fans to choose seats in a given stadium based on who they would like to sit with. For instance, families can choose to sit with other families, while superfans can choose to sit with other superfans. As one of the app's creators Richard Li explains, "You want seats where you’re surrounded by other people like you."
The main goal of the app is to help improve the fan experience by fostering a more welcome environment inside the stadium. However, the app may also create opportunities for targeted marketing for things like concessions and special promotions.
Stadium Seating Apps
The Fanalytics App Helps CFL Fans Sit with Like-Minded Individuals
Trend Themes
1. Personalized Seating - Creating apps that allow users to choose seats based on personal preferences opens up opportunities for personalized experiences in various industries, such as theater, concerts, and conferences.
2. Community-oriented Events - Developing apps that help people connect with like-minded individuals during events, like the Fanalytics app for CFL games, can be applied to other community-oriented industries, such as music festivals, sporting events, and trade shows.
3. Targeted Marketing - Apps like Fanalytics provide opportunities for targeted marketing and promotions within the stadium or event venue, which can be explored in industries such as sports, entertainment, and hospitality.
Industry Implications
1. Theater - Theater companies can develop similar apps to allow patrons to choose seats based on preferences and connect with others who have similar interests, creating a more personalized and community-oriented experience.
2. Music Concerts - Music concert organizers can implement seat selection apps to enhance the fan experience and foster a sense of community by enabling fans to sit with people who share the same music taste or preferences.
3. Trade Shows - Trade show organizers can utilize seat selection apps or similar technologies to help participants connect with others who are interested in the same business niche or industry, facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities.