BT Sport to showcase VR for Arsenal-Chelsea match

BT Sport, the sport TV arm of the UK telecom operator, is providing a virtual reality experience based around this weekend’s football match between Chelsea and Arsenal in four of mobile subsidiary EE’s stores in London as part of a new trial of the technology.

BT Sport will film the game using VR cameras and is working with VR platform company LiveLike to create an experience that will enable fans to choose between four different viewpoints. They will also experience the game as if they are pitch-side or sitting in the crowd, according to BT.

The VR trial will be available in BT’s EE stores in Westfield Stratford, Oxford Street, Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road. VR headsets and tablets will be available in each store for fans to use during the match.

Jamie Hindhaugh, COO BT Sport, said: “BT is delighted to be bringing fans even closer to the action. We hope fans enjoy experiencing all the highs and lows of a football match via virtual reality. Fans and viewers are at the heart of our coverage and this is a great opportunity to experience this innovative new technology live in four of EE’s top London stores.”

Marc Allera, EE CEO, said: “We know that our customers love watching sport on the go and that’s why they love the fact they can now enjoy the BT Sport app as part of their EE plan.  This fantastic VR trial of BT Sport in four flagship London stores is yet another example of the additional benefits and unique experiences our customers will enjoy now we are part of the wider BT Group.”