The NFL is providing virtual reality postgame experiences for a second straight season beginning this week, and new to this year is the capability for fans to watch highlights using a Microsoft Windows Mixed Reality headset.
The first VR experience of the season will appear after NextVR works alongside NFL Films to position VR cameras at the Minnesota Vikings-Green Bay Packers game Sunday, and it’s available for those using Samsung Gear VR or Google Daydream headsets. For the four other games on the schedule for VR later in the season, fans will also be able to use Windows Mixed Reality headsets thanks to the NextVR app that is coming to Windows Mixed Reality.
Mixed reality on Windows PCs all begins Oct. 17 with the upcoming release of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and there are partnerships with Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Samsung for the new headsets.
“Virtual reality provides the NFL with another platform to further enrich the game experience for our fans,” William Deng, Director, Media Strategy and Business Development at the NFL, said in a statement. “We’re excited to partner with NextVR for a second year to build on the fan experience we pioneered last year.”
The NFL VR experiences are hosted by former NFL running back Reggie Bush and sports commentator Elika Sadeghi.
“I truly feel that VR is the future. It’s innovative, and I couldn’t wait to be part of it,” Bush said in a statement. “I’m excited for the fans to watch football in NextVR because they’re going to get a real in-game experience of what we go through as athletes on the field.”
Added NextVR CEO David Cole in a statement: “NFL fans expect the best and want to be as close to the action as possible. At NextVR we continue to evolve and improve the fan experience through our technology in collaboration with NFL Films to deliver a premium virtual reality production.”
