World Cup: BBC to use VR for first time at major football tournament

The BBC’s sports coverage of the World Cup – which kicks off tomorrow in Russia – is using VR technology for the first time. 

The virtual reality technology means the Match of the Day studio will have a whole new look for this year’s tournament, with the modern studio hiding away cameramen, equipment and wiring through the use of VR.

Augmented reality is also being used in the studio to allow for moving visuals and graphics to be displayed onscreen. 

MOTD Host and broadcaster Dan Walker told The Mirror: "We have been using limited augmented reality on Match of the Day for a few seasons, but at the World Cup we are really pushing the boat out this time.

The BBC will brings audiences live coverage of all 33 BBC matches from Russia through the dedicated BBC Sport VR – FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 app, available soon on Apple, Android, Gear VR, Oculus Go and PlayStation VR.

Anyone with a smartphone or compatible VR headset can open the app and find themselves inside their "very own luxury private box in a Russian stadium", according to the broadcaster.

From here, audiences can access a range of live match stats that pop-up from the virtual coffee table, or they can switch their view and choose to sit behind either one of the goals to get up-close to the action. 

When there’s no game taking place, fans can watch a daily highlights package and other on-demand content on one of the virtual big screen TVs available in other areas of the private box.

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