This upcoming weekend, the MLS (Major League Soccer) is going to be having their championship game (the MLS Cup) between the Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders. Perhaps bigger news than that, is the fact that the game will be streamed in virtual reality. Allowing viewers to feel like they are actually there at the game. The broadcast is sponsored by Audi, and the developers were able to get one of their vehicles into the broadcast, which is pretty cool. There is a “virtual suite” that is full of all sorts of things like the player roster for both teams and some live stats. So you can keep up with what’s going on in the game.
The virtual reality experience is available in the Fox Sports VR app for iOS, Android and Gear VR. However, those using iOS do have exclusive access to replays in virtual reality. These users are able to rewind up to 30 seconds at a time, for the past 30 minutes. The great thing about the Fox Sports VR app is the fact that it does work without using a VR headset. So even if you don’t have Cardboard, Daydream View or a Gear VR, you can still watch the game in virtual reality. As you move your phone around (or tablet), the view of the game will change. Keep in mind that you will need to sign in with your television provider to access the game on the Fox Sports VR app.
This year’s MLS Cup is a pretty historic one for soccer fans. Not only because it’ll be broadcast in virtual reality, but it’ll be the first time in 8 years that the MLS Cup is airing on an English-language network. It’s being aired at 7:30PM ET on FOX in the US, on December 10th. So even if you aren’t looking forward to watching the game in virtual reality, you can watch it on good ‘ol TV. Or if you have signed up for DIRECTV NOW or Sling TV, you’ll be able to watch it on just about any other platform, from your smartphone to your tablet to your laptop computer.