College Football Playoff App Launches With Augmented Reality Features

One of six tags that will trigger AR experience during the CFP championship weekend.

A new augmented reality experience will bring to life certain aspects of Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship game from viewers’ smartphones.

Through the CFP app, users will be able to scan six logos with their phone cameras that will trigger a number of interactive augmented reality experiences, videos and photos about the venue and game, such as the stadium address in Atlanta and ticket prices.

Certain tags might also launch promotional offers from sponsoring brands, such as Chick-fil-A, and selfie experiences with augmented reality versions of the CFP cup or beverages from event sponsor Dos Equis XX, which can be moved and placed in users’ hands.

The app will additionally feature a campus map with detailed information about Mercedes-Benz Stadium and other venues associated with the event, as well as a link to watch the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! Concert series, a free three-day event kicking off Saturday at Centennial Olympic Park that will feature performances from Jason Derulo, The Chainsmokers and Darius Rucker.

The AR experience was built by Mandt Media, a producer of augmented and virtual reality content, which has produced 360-degree videos and other media content for the sports industry before.

In an interview with SportTechie, Mandt Media CEO and Founder Neil Mandt said he believes location-based augmented reality will continue to be an important utility of AR, seeping into consumers’ daily lives through events and retail in a way that enables users to get accurate information about specific topics and gives brands the ability to target users with promotions.

“Location-based augmented reality is something that’s going to go beyond just events, it’s going to become part of our lives,” said Mandt. “Users can get information quickly using the device in their pocket.”

Last year, Mandt as part of its collaboration with the College Football Playoff produced virtual reality and 360-degree videos for the championship game in Tampa:

Some of Mandt’s previous projects have included a 360-degree video of the Pittsburgh Steelers and a virtual reality tour of Oklahoma State University. Other clients have included the IndyCar series, Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles.