AUSTRALIA SPORTS

200+ Fan Engagement Ideas To Entertain, Educate And Connect Sports Fans During COVID19

G’day everyone, I hope that this latest blog post and infographic finds you well especially given the unprecedented circumstances we’re all in at the moment.

How is everyone going with everything at the moment? It’s a pretty stressful and overwhelming time for everyone but it seems that we’re all coping pretty well with self-isolation, COVID19 concerns and everything else that’s going on in our lives. Whose missing live sport? The smells and sounds of the game-day? It will be all back before we know it.

Like millions of others, both my wife and I have lost work but life does go on and you have to keep moving. I’m deeply saddened to hear about plenty of my hard-working friends and colleagues from the sports business world who are struggling at the moment because of redundancies or lost income. We’re all in this together and things will get better. I know how hard these reps have all worked for fans in stadiums all over the world so they should be very proud of what they’ve achieved and hopefully will be able to come back to their clubs or venues when the time is right. I’m in the same boat and while there’s not much I can do to help, all I can say is that I’m always happy to listen and talk to anyone if they feel like a virtual chat or a catch-up.

It’s important that we check in on one another at this time but also that we stay active and focused mentally and so because the former school teacher in me can’t just sit still and not want to help, I’ve put together another free quick fan engagement infographic which will help global to grassroots clubs all over the world.

I scoured the web looking at what over 400 global teams were doing for fan engagement content ideas at this time and was blown away at the creativity and innovation coming from these hard-working teams at this time to still provide educational and entertaining content to connect fans.

From mental fitness webinars, kids activity workbooks and recipe creations to Zoom backgrounds, bitmoji’s and fitness challenges it’s been very impressive to see how teams across the world have adapted during COVID19 to provide fans of all ages, but especially young fans with ways to stay connected to the game and their teams.

I have therefore attached below another FREE fan engagement resource that I have put together along with the bullet points of all the ideas for easy access below too.

I have also added the images to my 8000+ strong fan engagement Pinterest board which has an abundance of ideas that have come in useful for teams over the years. Visit the FE Pinterest here.

Also if you haven’t seen any of the other fan engagement infographics that I’ve put together then you can find them here.

If something doesn’t make sense then please just ask and I will assist you with more information about what the bullet point represents.

As with the majority of things I do in the fan engagement space, I don’t ask for much in return for my services as I care about young fans and making the best fan experience possible. I love what I get to do and as a fan first and foremost myself this will never change. All I ever ask is that you respect me and my work and let me know if it came in handy and reach out if you found it helpful.

The best part about what I’ve been able to do here has been to network, help out and meet likeminded people in sports biz from all across the globe who one day I can introduce my soon to be born child to your team and stadium and not just go on my global stadium journeys by myself. With a baby girl on the way in July, I can’t wait to be doing this and instill in them my love for stadium architecture, trying diverse F&B and catching different sports in different parts of the globe. With COVID19 going on and no real end in sight, it’s important that we understand that we all have so much to look forward to and for me, I can’t wait to welcome my first baby and soon to be sports fan into the world.

Thank you for reading and I hope that this free resource comes in handy for you.

Have a good week, keep smiling and stay positive.

This will all be over soon and fans will be back on the Kiss Cam, cheering their teams on and also complaining about the price and quality of stadium F&B in no time!

200+ Fan Engagement Ideas To Entertain, Educate And Connect Sports Fans During COVID19

Check in on elderly members/fans
Word search
Stay Home Bingo card
Spot the ball
Colour in the player/club emblem/jersey
Draw the player/ground/emblem
Throw back pictures/moments/memories
Nominate a team
Challenges
Zoom wallpapers
Team/Player wallpapers
Podcasts
Classic calls/flashbacks
Play back old games
Coronavirus hand washing techniques/instructions
Deliver care packages to fans
VR ground visits
YouTube/Video shows/recaps and rewinds
Hero of the team (emergency services fan shout outs)
Feel Good moments/pics/videos
Art competitions
Story Time. Players read kids books/stories to young fans
Countdowns and votes (best jersey/game/player etc.)
Connect 4 Mascot challenges
Google Home to engage with fans at home
Photo of the day
Family Nominations
Q&A’s
On This Day
Skills challenges
Fitness/work out/training tips
Team commentate fans skills/videos
GIF challenges
Twitch e-sports gaming challenges
Re-watch classic games
Share your fan story
Utilising fan generated content
Repurposing merch for medical supplies
Instagram/FB Live with players/team
Beat the clock online jigsaw puzzle challenges
Emergency/Health services branded merch
#FromTheArchives
Old player profiles
Choose your ultimate team lineups
Mental Health Messages and Tips
Classic game replays
What Self-Iso Personality Are You?
Quizzes
Polls
Social games
Replay games via Twitter updates
Club Spotify music playlists
What are the players up to updates
CEO messages/emails to fans
Player video messages to fans
Game day dress up
Twitter/FB/Insty take overs
Send letters to the team
Player pen-pals
Dogs of the club/team/fans
Activity sheets/kids worksheets
Legend Q&A with past player
The People’s Presser
Ultimate Quaran Team
Memes
Pixelated pick the players
My ‘Insert Team’ Story
Top 100 games/moments/memories/players/jerseys
Virtual Match day Predictions
Random Acts of Kindness
Inside the training session
60 seconds Qs with the player/coach
Fan profiles
TikToks
Tattoo profiles of the players
Live Q&A
Choose your ultimate fantasy team
Match day program flashbacks
Fun Facts
Virtual autographs
Match day merch offers
Merchandise daily deals
Fan Virtual Meet Up
Online Quizzes Ex. Kahootz
Archival footage
Free access to exclusive content
Cooking and recipe shows
Online fan party
Mini documentaries
Exclusive special merch
Good News Stories
Stay Home Messages
Send us your crazy graphic design requests
Guess the player names from the emoji’s
Bracket challenges
Charity Challenges
Merch giveaways
Stadium wallpapers
Your Stadium Memory
Virtual Game Days
Personalised jersey wallpapers
Player fashion shows
CRIBS- player home lockdown version
Players/team letters to fans/members
#OpenDoorChallenge
Fan Art Fridays
#GetYourKitOn
Donate A Membership
Retro plays of the week
Stat attacks
Classic game breakdowns with ex players/coaches
Specials on training range merch
Stories behind the big moments
Team/Player Yoga
Animal Crossing jerseys
Surprise fans with calls/videos
Individual Training Programs
Food Bank Appeals
Name The Goal/Try/Moment
Show and Tell (Show Us Your Sports Cave)
Backyard Skills Challenges
Arts & Crafts
Community hero of the week
Home Workouts
Old photos from yesteryear
Your Call From Home- Fans commentating big moments
Show Your Colours- send in pics in
Team colouring in books
Guess The Player- Who Am I?
What Happens Next?
Fan discounts for team sponsors- support local businesses
Thank You Messages to fans
What comes to mind when you see this kit?
Your Birth Month and First Letter of your name = Your Career/Name etc.
Find a word
Scoreboard challenge
Word Challenges: Team scattergories
Spot The Difference
Share Your Ticket Stub Memory
Guess which season these jerseys are from
Trading Card Flashbacks
Retro Team List Tuesday
Share favourite merch items
Whose Tattoo?
Isolation Task/Name
Mental Health/Fitness webinars
Fan video messages of support for the team
Player/FOH profiles
Alternative design random jerseys
Design a banner
Old news stories from papers
Fan/Member of the week
Animated GIFs
Cartoons
This Week: Run a schedule of what’s on for fans
Inspirational quotes
Anything mascot related: Colouring in, wallpapers, cut outs
Virtual Happy Hour’s knock off beers/drinks with team/fans
Live chat with a former star
Share baby photos of players/team
Build the ultimate stadium meal
Thank you shout outs to health care workers
Game plan breakdowns- show attack/defence plays
Team/Player pays it forward with free coffees/meals for members/health care workers at local businesses
Team maze challenges
Reading challenges
Fans/Members nominate a local business that deserves recognition
Virtual cheerleading/dance sessions for fitness/kids
What’s in the player’s fridge?
Hand washing technique cards
Player Bitmojis
Art contests
Make up tutorials
Fan challenges- draw players/ask a question for social live
Virtual radiothon
Art workshops
Sudoku worksheets
Video chat with the mascot
Kids recipe book
Write letters/notes of support along with the team to health care workers
Showcase players hidden talents
Showcase fans/members hidden talents
Promote fans/members of the club local businesses to the fan base
‘I Stay Home For….’ Cards
Community Support Roster- show who the team supports
Paper Bag Puppets
Write a letter to the mascot
Rivalry Recaps
Mascot/Player printable cut outs
Group fitness classes/steps challenges
Virtual Vacations frames for fans
Stay At Home Match Notes/Sheet
Make a player out of household items cardboard etc.
Virtual watch parties of classic old games
Where’s the mascot (where’s wally etc.)
Fan hall of fame
Guess the attendance of the retro game
Name the score of the classic game
Mascot trading cards
Send in fan messages for the team to go up in the sheds for their return
Fan call from the CEO
Write a match day review from a past game- writing challenge
Printable posters
Letterbox drops of merch/letters from players to members houses
Junior fan of the day during COVID19
Fan caricatures
Team DJ doing a set live on social
Junior reporter commentates a classic game
Kids only fan forum
Kids only team presser
Members/fans merch lucky dip live
Memory games
Virtual members wall
VR ticket/merch/mascot hunts
Kids/parents fans/members only fitness/health session live by team
Stay at home pass
Printable trophies and cups
Promote fans membership loyalty i.e. 5, 10, 20 years memberships
Harness, use and showcase fan generated content
Print out club size charts
First game day at home certificates
Game day memorabilia auctions/giveaways
Fan/member appreciation day/week
Make a team flag at home
At home ‘cams’ team filters for Oblivious cam, Kiss cam, etc.

‘The Lawn’ Fan Experience at the MCG, Cricket Australia Vs India, January 18 2018

Here is a recent story I wrote for Digital Sports Labs looking at the fan experience of The Lawn social space from the MCG in Melbourne.

A trending area in the fan engagement space from sporting teams and venues has seen the emergence of unique and fun social seating experiences that have been developed to combat the competition from other leisure activities and the at-home TV experience while at the same time appeal to and acquire new audiences.

Unrivalled entertainment spaces including TIAA Bank Field’s pet park in Jacksonville, Etihad Stadium’s transparent tunnel club in Manchester and Petco Park’s beach in San Diego highlight just some of the global examples of how venues and teams are currently offering fans unique, exciting and exclusive game day experiences that can only be experienced by fans in the stadium.

The focus on these exclusive social spaces is a smart way for venues to enhance their fan experience features, offer hardcore, lapsed and new fans a chance to experience the game day in a fun new way while also enabling teams and venues to create new revenue opportunities.

‘The Lawn’ from Cricket Australia is a prime example of how one sporting organization is opening up the game to a wider audience by creating a unique fan experience that portrays a new image of cricket to people who don’t usually engage with the sport and which in turn is successfully attracting many new fans, especially young females to an event they previously may not have considered attending.

Marking it’s return to bays 11-13 at the MCG, The Lawn is a stylish and sophisticated exclusive hospitality experience from Cricket Australia that features outstanding views of the field, scrumptious local gourmet food and a vibrant social atmosphere that has all been created in an effort to attract a new audience to the cricket.

First impressions are everything with these premium spaces and it didn’t disappoint as from the moment you entered the colourful space that was adorned with fresh flowers and plants, you were made to feel welcome by the friendly hosts who guided you into The Lawn’s impressive astro-turfed deck and spectacular views of the MCG.

Created by sporting agency TLA Australia, The Lawn 2.0 included some impressive improvements on last year’s first installment with the notable addition of a circular bar that made ordering drinks faster and easier for fans while the beauty and pamper bar, photo booth stand and fashion illustration station entertained fans throughout the day with the latter proving to be a memorable keepsake for people to take home.

The food on offer at The Lawn was a delectable assortment of fresh local gourmet produce and included finger foods such as braised lamb shank pies, peking duck rice paper rolls, Katsu fried chicken burgers and mini baguettes. The culinary selections also featured gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options as well as all day fries. A notable highlight was that the food options continued coming out in an endless stream via the attentive catering staff who ensured that each fan was well catered for and well fed throughout the course of the day.

Beverage selections included local sparkling, white and red wines as well as the refreshing ‘Friesling’ which was a tropical slushy-style riesling that was exclusive to The Lawn. The choice of beers was a slight disappointment with the lack of a dedicated craft beer being a noticeable absent item. On this note, with Pirate Life and 4 Pines now both falling under the CUB brand there could surely be an opportunity to include one of these ranges at the next installment of The Lawn considering CUB has the exclusive beer pourage rights at the MCG. Drink prices were however affordable and the wide selection of drinks more than made up for any lack of craft beer.

All of the little touches were thouroughly thought through and included a card for a free welcome drink on arrival and giveaways such as exclusive Lawn branded fedora hats. Sunscreen bottles and ample shade sails also kept fans protected from the sun throughout the day while the seating options varied from comfortable cabana type sun lounges to stools and elegant couches with sufficient table space provided for fans to spread out and still enjoy a good view of the action on the field.

Diving deeper into the actual creation of The Lawn, TLA’s Tom Meredith noted that ‘it was born out of Cricket Australia’s desire to attract more females and young eventers to One Day International Cricket and was designed with social interaction and social engagement at its core.’ Tom further added that ‘It ‘s a destination for people to go to enjoy the fun of social interaction with people like them, and for them to share the experience on their social channels while the likes of the Birdcage at Flemington and the Portsea Polo were inspiration for the space too’.

The feedback from fans both at The Lawn and those following along on social at home highlighted the successful benefits of creating a stylish, relaxed and unique fan engagement space such as this being that it is a creative way to draw in new fans to the cricket as well as showing hardcore cricket fans how they can ramp up their own match day fan experience. One fan even tweeted the exact kind of response and target market Cricket Australia would be aiming for with The Lawn as Brooke noted:

These match day fan experience enhancements may even lure a long-term cricket objector like me to the ground! Loving the posts @MrBlairHughes https://t.co/2Tt3pCipa9

— Brooke (@Brookster81) January 18, 2019

Fans want new and unique experiences on game days that excite them more than what they can get from a standard game day or from the at home TV experience and The Lawn from Cricket Australia and TLA is a great example of what can be achieved by creating a space that provides an elegant and stylish space with all the little touches. While this fan experience will not suit every traditional cricket fan, The Lawn is a vibrant fan experience that provides multiple unique features that is sure to win over new cricket fans.