FC Bayern Munich is aiming to enhance the matchday experience of its supporters, bringing 5G technology to the Allianz Arena.
It comes as part of the the German champion’s collaboration with partners Deutsche Telekom, which will see the implementation of 5G from spring 2020.
Michael Hagspihl, Deutsche Telekom director in charge of private client relations commented: “Together with FC Bayern, we’ll enable our fans to experience the 5G technology. It can offer visitors to the Allianz Arena a new dimension of spectator experience via VR or AR,” commented.”
The 5G technology can process large amounts of data significantly quicker, so video streams can be watched faster and in higher resolutions. Additionally, the technology makes it possible for the visitors to experience augmented or virtual reality with 5G-capable devices via apps.
FC Bayern München AG CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added on the launch: “The Allianz Arena stands for quality, progress and innovation, so we’re very glad we can offer our fans this special technology so early with the help of our longstanding partners Deutsche Telekom.
“After the comprehensive W-LAN extension in 2015, the 5G technology is the next logical step to make the experience at the stadium even more attractive around the game.”
In the club’s most recent financial results, it was revealed that Bayern is on the cusp of becoming one of European football’s a financial powerhouses, after the 2018/19 season saw the club raise profits by 63%.
As a result, the Bundesliga champions see its profit figures eclipse that of both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, with Die Roten also announcing that its annual revenue has also increased by over 14% on the previous 2017/18 season.
Jan-Christian Dreesen, Bayern’s deputy chairman, commented on the club’s successful financial year: “As well as the increases in turnover and profit, the improvement of the equity capital is very positive. The ratio rose by 9.7 per cent to 68 per cent. That shows how healthy and sound FC Bayern is financially.
“All of the club’s departments have contributed to this very gratifying result. Income from matches and TV rights has risen, and we have achieved record numbers regarding sponsorship income.