Innovative engagement marketing solutions will win the day for sports teams and venues as we turn the corner into 2025. In sports and entertainment marketing, innovation is everything. Those organizations willing to innovate are also the ones willing to do what it takes to succeed.
With that in mind, here are some of the top engagement marketing strategies sports teams and venues should be looking at for the coming year. They are offered compliments of KORE, a sports and entertainment data intelligence provider.
Personalized Fan Experiences
Marketing solutions, by default, should engage with fans. And there is no better way to engage than creating personalized fan experiences. Delivering highly customized experiences gets fans involved. The experiences build anticipation, strengthen brand loyalty, and keep fans coming back for more.
Here are some examples:
- Customized offers, interactions, and content tailored around fan behaviors and preferences.
- Personalized assistance and recommendations via AI powered chatbots.
- Dynamic ticket pricing that responds to demand and other key factors with real time pricing adjustments.
Personalized fan experiences are data driven experiences. They are the types of fan engagement strategies that turn casual guests into repeat customers.
Immersive Technologies
Today’s fans are highly technologically minded. They have an eye for things like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). As such, modern engagement marketing solutions should include immersive technologies that draw fans in.
Both AR and VR stadium tours can peak guest interest. Immersive training simulations get fans into the action like never before. On-site, live event holograms give fans the opportunity to interact with their favorite athletes remotely.
Smarter Stadiums and Arenas
In 2025 venues should concentrate on becoming smarter. Stadiums and arenas should be looking to incorporate smart technologies that improve the in-person experience. In addition, the experience should be made better from the moment fans arrive to the moment they leave. Venues should consider:
- Smart parking systems.
- Streamlined check in.
- AI-based crowd sentiment analysis.
- Contactless solutions for concessions and ticketing.
Today’s fans engage with smart technologies. The smarter the stadiums and arenas they visit, the more they are engaged during the on-site experience.
Prioritize Interactive Content and Gamification
Engagement marketing solutions from 2025 also include strategies to get fans into the venues. In other words, venues need to sell tickets. They need to get people on-site to engage with them personally. One way to do that is to prioritize interactive content and gamification.
Interactive content includes things like polls, quizzes, and fan challenges. It is content offered through mobile apps and on websites. Whenever fans can be encouraged to participate in an activity related to the event being sold, venues have their attention.
As for gamification, gamified experiences that can incorporate elements of competition set fans up for a better experience all the way around. Gamification can be enhanced with fan tokens that offer exclusive benefits to those who choose to play.
Leveraging OTT Platforms and Influencer Partnerships
Finally, KORE recommends taking advantage of as many ways as possible to reach fans where they are. This includes OTT platforms and influencer partnerships. On the OTT side, consider live streaming events paired with behind the scenes content. In terms of influencer partnerships, venues can seek partnerships with those influences most likely to reach the target demographic.
As we turn the page on this year and head into 2025, the most innovative engagement marketing solutions will capture the attention of sports fans and entertainment seekers alike. Venues looking for little help can always contact KORE for the latest in sports and entertainment data intelligence.