KDDI Teams Up with Kyoto Sanga F.C. to Start Demonstration Test for Fan Engagement Services with Smartphone Game

―Support the team with gifts while enjoying AR games in the stadium―

KDDI CORPORATION

Tokyo, February 21, 2024―KDDI is pleased to announce that it will collaborate with Kyoto Purple Sanga Co., Ltd. to hold a demonstration test during the match between Kyoto Sanga F.C. and Shonan Bellmare on March 2, 2024 for Meiji Yasuda J1 League MW 2 (Sanga Stadium by Kyocera). This test will focus on the fan engagement service "AR Support Challenge Beta" that allows fans to enjoy a smartphone game in the stadium using AR technology while supporting the team with gifts. The purpose of this test is to ascertain the level of demand for the concept of this service.
Before the test, KDDI will exhibit the service at a hands-on demo booth from February 26 to 29, 2024 at MWC Barcelona 2024, the world's largest mobile technology exhibition and conference, to be held in Spain.

■About the service

1. Background and purpose

In recent years, there has been an influx of attention within the entertainment and sports industries toward services that allow people to support their favorite pop stars, artists, sports teams, athletes, and other notable individuals by giving them various gifts through smartphone apps.
The aim of the "AR Support Challenge" is to build a model in which fans and supporters of players and clubs can have fun with a smartphone game using AR technology while giving gifts, thereby helping to bolster teams and local communities.

2. Service model

On match days, fans in the stadium seats use the app for this service to purchase gifts and give gifts to the team of their choice before the match, at half-time, or in their own free time. This act of giving gifts is accompanied by a fun game with AR elements and the gifts can help bolster the team and contribute to local communities. In return for their gifts, fans can receive merchandise, exclusive digital content, and other rewards based around their favorite players.

This is a conceptual representation of the service, and may differ from the actual experience.

■About the test

People visiting the venue can experience this service free of charge. People in the stadium can point their smartphones at the pitch from their seats to take part in a game for supporting players while enjoying AR elements. Participants are divided into teams and compete in a goal-scoring game.

1. Date and location

Date
: March 2, 2024 from the opening of the venue up to the start of the match between Kyoto Sanga F.C. and Shonan Bellmare for Meiji Yasuda J1 League MW 2
Location
: Sanga Stadium by Kyocera

2. Participation fee

Free of charge

3. How to participate

(1)
Access the service page (in Japanese only)
- The service page is scheduled to open on February 27, 2024.
(2)
Download the "SATCH X powered by STYLY" app via the service page
(3)
Register for an "Engate ID" via the service page
(4)
Exchange support points for gifts
(5)
Enjoy the AR experience

You cannot participate in this test using an Engage ID obtained in a way that is not related to this service.
After the experience is over, we may ask you to respond to a questionnaire.
A 5G-capable smartphone with iOS 11.0 or later, or Android 8.0 or later, is recommended for using this service.

4. Supporting companies

STYLY, Inc. : Worked on service production
Engate, Inc. : Provided the platform for the point system

■About the KDDI booth at MWC Barcelona 2024

MWC Barcelona 2024 will be held from February 26 to 29, 2024 in Spain. KDDI's booth at this event will include this service as one use case of business collaboration using APIs. The booth will include a table that resembles a soccer field, which visitors can point their smartphones at to experience this service with AR-enabled content.

*The information contained in the articles is current at the time of publication.
Products, service fees, service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.