For the most passionate hockey fans, nothing beats the feeling of being there, at the rink, watching the games unfold. But once the game is over and fans go home, whatâs there to do other than wait for the next game?
There could be quite a few things. Hockey teams focus on improving the fan experience immediately before and during games, which is commendable, but they could be doing more. When it comes to fan engagement at the rink and beyond, there are things you can do to ensure that fans stay engaged and in touch during the time while they wait for the next game. Letâs have a look at a few of ways to improve fan engagement:
Make Them Play
Fantasy sports have gotten popular for a reason â for the teams, it helps keep fans in touch with the latest news, and for the fans, itâs a way of showing how well they know the sport and being competitive in their way. So if you want to engage your fans, make them play team-related games!
It doesnât have to be fantasy â you could have them take part in quizzes and offer cool prizes for the best players. Augmented Reality stations and Mixed Reality games are also a cool way to both use the latest technologies and keep fans engaged at the rink. Either way, fans will jump at the opportunity to test and prove their knowledge about their favorite team, especially if the prizes are attractive enough.
Offer Exclusive Content
Exclusivity is a way of making your team-related content more interesting, and it also helps it be perceived as more valuable. Itâs a great way of engaging fans beyond the rink. For example, you can offer them a player interview that they wonât be able to find anywhere else, or follow a player for a day to get a glimpse into a hockey professionalâs day-to-day life.
Fans appreciate when they can get a look behind the scenes, so you can have content that reflects that as well. How does a professional prepare for a game? What are their rituals, their routines, and way of thinking before a match? At least through video content, offer the fans a chance to go âbackstageâ and see how things work if you wish to increase engagement.
Use a Team App to Bring Engagement Levels Up
All this and more becomes possible with an SDK-integrated platform that can improve your existing team app or help you build a new one from scratch. Fanisko Engage offers a multitude of features, including AR and MR gaming, fantasy leagues and predictions, as well as content that connects fans and also keeps them in the loop regarding the latest team news. Once you provide them with exclusive content theyâre craving, your fan engagement will shoot up, which opens the door to more effective marketing and better ROI.
Ultimately, how you choose to engage fans is up to you, but some solutions can make that job so much easier. For more information on how we can help, visit our website and take an in-depth look at the features of Fanisko Engage.