A new mobile app has been created to get more football fans to come to stadiums rather than watch games on their TVs and smartphones at home.
The app is making its debut at the San Francisco 49ers' Levi's Stadium, and will help fans find the best parking spots and restrooms that are the least crowded, according to The Minneapolis Star Tribune. Other ways the team's owners look to provide a better experience at the stadium include letting fans order food and drinks to be delivered to their seats so they don't have to wait in line, as well as letting them watch instant replays from four different camera angles whenever they don't agree with a ref's call.
Past behavior patterns of fans will affect the time at which app asks them if they want to order food and drinks. By scanning digital tickets at the gate, greeters at the stadium will be able to welcome fans by their names.
VenueNext, a startup that has received funding from members 49ers' management, is responsible for developing the app, The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Jed York, CEO of the 49ers, did not mention how much money VenueNext received from the team.
About one-third of the crowds at the team's first two regular-season games, which were sold out, used the app, even though some of its features haven't been finished yet. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, downloaded the app for the 49ers' regular-season opener, and said it has potential.
"Everybody's connection to the outside world now really is their phone, so that has to become part of the (game-day) experience," Wozniak said.
49er fan Cheryl Brandon from Mill Valley, California gave the app praise for letting her order food from her seat, giving her the chance to never miss a play.
"I feel like if I came all this way to go to a game, I would like to be able to watch it," she said.
VenueNext plans to make its app available in other stadiums and arenas, The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. John Paul, founder of the startup, said the app has already caught the interest of the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, who are currently building new stadiums.
"Our competition is the couch," Paul said.
