Looking forward to the 2016 International Champions Cup match between FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid tonight? If so, there’s a new way you can watch the game — in stunning virtual reality.
The game will be streamable through VR if you have access to a Gear VR headset, and it will start streaming on August 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
One of the perks of watching the match in VR is the ability to “go anywhere and experience anything,” and while that may be a little overstated, virtual reality coverage of sports is becoming a lot more popular, and it’s not hard to imagine one day feeling like you’re at the match.
The match will be covered by NextVR, and the cameras will capture the match in a wide field of view from multiple angles, essentially allowing users to watch from the stands, from along the sidelines, and even from behind the goals.
To watch the match, you’ll need to dock your phone to the headset and then open Oculus Home. If you haven’t already downloaded the NextVR app, you’ll need to do so — that’s where you’ll find the new ICC channel, which will show alongside MLB, Fox Sports, and other sports channels.
While watching the match you’ll also probably want to make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi, and obviously you’ll need to make sure that you actually have access to the ICC channel before the game, as matches are licensed differently in different countries.
Recently Next VR has streamed events like the U.S. Open, NBA games, Premier Boxing Champions fights, and more. The company isn’t only focused on sports, however — it has also recently streamed presidential debates in the U.S.
It’s likely that more sports events will be streamed by the company in the near future — especially considering the fact that the firm has a five-year partnership deal with Fox Sports.
