MANCHESTER UNITED are among a host of clubs considering the introduction of an IMAX-style experience for non-matchgoing fans.
United have held tentative discussions about the possibility of offering digital season tickets to fans around the world.
Fans would have the chance to pay a subscription fee to stream games from a specific section of Old Trafford.
Rather than opt for the traditional television camera angle with commentary, fans would be invited to view matches from the terraces and hear the sound of the crowd.
United are not the only club mulling over the mooted initiative.
Bt a source said United are well-placed to offer the venture through their technology partners – and they are considering an amazing experience based on the hi-tech £70million Cosm hub in Los Angeles.
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Planetarium for sports fans
DUBBED a “planetarium for sports fans,” the Cosm hub in Los Angeles is a technological temple to excess.
The venue’s crown jewel is its 87-foot LED dome, which engulfs viewers in a 180-degree visual field, virtually transporting them from California to the touchline.
But it is not just for sports- the hub hosts “artistic experiences,” including a mind-bending Cirque du Soleil show and a shared reality viewing of The Matrix.
With waiter service delivering high-end bistro food directly to plush booth seating, it is arguably the most decadent way to watch TV on Earth.
- Construction Cost: Approx. £65m – £73m
- Venue Capacity: approx 1,700 (Dome and Hall combined)
- Screen Size: 87ft (26.6m) diameter LED Dome
- Resolution: 8K+ Shared Reality display
- Ticket Price: From £16 for admission to £1,400 for a private booth
Snapdragon, a Qualcomm Technologies product, is United’s principal shirt sponsor and DXC Technology is their sleeve sponsor.
The proposal could have ramifications for the 3pm Saturday blackout for matches in the Premier League and Football League.
Talks on ending the 66-year-old blackout rule, which prevents football matches from being shown on UK television between 14:45 and 17:15 on Saturdays, have been mooted.
An agreement with the Premier League would have to be struck as clubs do not own broadcast rights.
United figures were impressed by the Cosm Los Angeles centre in Hollywood Park, which offers soccer fans the chance to watch games in a ‘shared reality’.
The 180-degree domed LED screen that is 87 feet in diameter offers an immersive experience during sports events.
The Cosm hub is located near the SoFi Stadium, where United played Arsenal during their 2024 pre-season tour.
IMAX is a film format renowned for its vast, curved screens at cinemas that project high-resolution images intended to immerse its audience.
Academy Award-winning director Christopher Nolan’s upcoming summer blockbuster, The Odyssey, is the first feature film to be shot entirely for IMAX cameras.
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