DAZN introduces FanZone feature – an interactive watch party for Bundesliga matches
08 February 2024 – The global sport and entertainment platform DAZN, Media Partner of the Bundesliga, has introduced a new interactive product this season: The DAZN FanZone. The concept: To enable subscribers who love to watch live Bundesliga matches to communicate with others in a way similar to a physical watch party: they can draw each other’s attention to specific actions on the pitch, share opinions, emojis or stickers, comment on match events, and much more.
The DAZN FanZone is a public space where participants share their views with the entire community, bringing the atmosphere of a public screening to the virtual space. DAZN moderators are present to take part in the conversation, ask questions, join the chat, or post quick quizzes or spontaneous polls. This turns watching the football match into a lively social experience also for all those who are not at the stadium.
This is a place where fans can join others in a simple and intuitive way to watch a game together, share expectations, comment on match events and participate in polls about complex scenes. The objective is to offer an interactive platform for like-minded fans within the greater football community.”
Michael Bracher, SVP Production & Editorial at DAZN DACH
The FanZone is an add-on feature that can be displayed in addition to the game. DAZN offers three participation options to suit users’ devices: Viewers relying entirely on their smartphones can turn their devices sideways to see the match and chat windows side-by-side. TV viewers can use their smartphones to scan a QR code displayed on the DAZN screen, then join the chat on their phone while continuing to watch the match on the TV set. And those watching on their computers can simply display the chat window next to the game window. The interaction between the fans occurs in real-time.
Michael Bracher, SVP Production & Editorial at DAZN DACH, says: “The DAZN FanZone is a key step forward for DAZN. This is a place where fans can join others in a simple and intuitive way to watch a game together, share expectations, comment on match events and participate in polls about complex scenes; the commentator can use the results to enliven the discussion. It makes for a perfect interactive experience between fans and our own experts and commentators. The programme is moderated by a DAZN staff member who encourages the discussion and interaction. The objective is to offer an interactive platform for like-minded fans within the greater football community.”
The FanZone thus brings football lovers closer together, making every Bundesliga match a social experience wherever they are located. It is offered for all Bundesliga matches on Friday evening; the intention is to make the feature available with more matches in Germany’s top league eventually.
The DAZN FanZone is the latest in a series of product innovations DAZN has introduced in recent years, many of which benefit viewers of Bundesliga broadcasts. For example, the Stats feature allows fans to access live statistics or lineups relating to a current game; the Pulse feature can be used to compile a personal conference from diverse sports and football leagues; configurable in-app push messages can alert viewers to major events (such as goals or penalty kicks) in a parallel match so they can switch over with a simple click to enjoy the scene before returning to their favourite game.