November 13 – One of France’s most historic clubs, Olympique de Marseille, is moving into the 21st century and launching a new official mobile app built for a digital-first generation.
It’s the latest move in the club’s broader plan to modernise how fans experience matchdays and interact with the team. The application was recently released on both the App Store and Google Play.
The new platform is similar to the apps that many clubs are rolling out in that it centralises everything from match tickets, news, videos, shopping, and even a chatbot powered by Theta Edge Cloud.
One of the key innovations is the integration of a secure e-ticketing system, which will be rolled out progressively over the coming months in an effort to make entry to the Orange Véledrome a swifter experience.
From Real Madrid’s immersive digital platform to Manchester United’s AI-powered fan services, nearly every major club is racing to build its own digital universe; however, as football becomes increasingly digitised, there’s a growing concern that technology will steadily replace the human experience that makes being a die-hard supporter special in the first place.
Clubs like OM, Madrid, and United must find a balance between the digital fan who requires constant attention and the fans who are the beating heart in the stands and the local community.