Discover Benfica Immersive, the new attraction at Estádio da Luz

REPORT BTV

Always at the forefront of innovation, Sport Lisboa e Benfica is one of the few clubs in the world that already offers this experience to its fans. Included in the price of the tour of Estádio da Luz, Benfica Immersive is the latest attraction for the approximately 250,000 fans who visit the Cathedral every year.

"Benfica Immersive is part of a strategy that Benfica's marketing team has been gradually adopting, which is to increase the number of visits to the Museum and the Stadium. Benfica Immersive is part of this strategy to provide an increasingly better experience for those who visit us", said José Gandarez, Vice-president of the Club, at the presentation of the initiative to the press on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 2, at the Estádio da Luz.

Journalists were invited to try out the experience. Visitors taking the stadium tour can put on virtual reality glasses when passing through the area above the tunnel leading to the pitch, allowing them to immerse themselves in Portugal's biggest club.

Visitors interact physically with the virtual environment, opening doors, touching objects, and taking on the role of an avatar representing the player of their choice from the first team. This avatar will be visible to other visitors who are on the tour at the same time.

The experience, which lasts around 10-15 minutes, includes a quiz and ends in a futuristic Estádio da Luz, where you can fly to the center of the pitch and lift the championship trophy in front of the fans. It's true, there are lots of sensations involved!

In technical terms, the immersive experience features LTVR technology, a unique advance in the sector that offers the latest generation connectivity, ensuring stability and low latency, even in environments with a large number of devices in simultaneous use.

In addition, it incorporates a multi-user framework that allows hundreds of people to participate in the same experience at the same time, in a synchronized and engaging way. Last but not least, it features the most advanced graphics in Europe, providing unprecedented visual quality and realism in virtual reality experiences applied to sports.

"And so, what you had the opportunity to experience today is an innovation. Only Manchester City and Benfica have this technology at this stage. I think that only those who experience it can understand the added value and the truly innovative experience we have. And it is this type of experience that puts us at the forefront of innovation and means that, today, we have around 250,000 people a year visiting our stadium and our museum", concluded José Gandarez.

Many athletes from Sport Lisboa e Benfica had the opportunity to enjoy the experience on this day. Mikita Vailupau, El Korchi, Samara Vieira, and Alexis Borges (handball), Isidora Ubavic, Tatiana Rizzo, Cansu Çetin, and Felipe Banderó (volleyball), Reynier Mena and Arialis Gandulla (athletics), and judoka Rochele Nunes were among those lucky enough to take part of it.

"I have three words: in-cre-dible! I think Benfica made the right decision in bringing this experience to members, to people who want to visit Benfica. I still have goosebumps, I'm thrilled, because in the end you really see this immersion. You really live inside the stadium. It gives you butterflies in your stomach, it's a little scary and frightening. So, I tell people: come and try it, because it's really incredible, it's really worth it", said Rochele Nunes.

Volleyball player Felipe Banderó also became a fan of Benfica Immersive. 

“We are here enjoying this amazing experience. It's crazy, the technology is incredible! You take a journey inside the world of Benfica, and you can only describe what you see by experiencing it for yourself. Congratulations on this whole project, on this experience. All I can say is: come and check it out, it's worth it!”, invited the Brazilian player.

Several members of the Club's governing bodies were also able to experience the emotions that Benfica Immersive provides on this occasion. This was the case for Vice-President Rui do Passo.

"I think it's spectacular, because this was already being planned with other major European clubs. And I think it's spectacular for Benfica, because it takes the experience of our fans, our members, and our visitors to another level, with the volume of visitors we already have at the stadium. Being able to provide this additional experience is spectacular, in my opinion. And it's a way to mobilize fans and members. We also show what we are to the football industry. There are fans from other clubs who already visit us a lot, and I think it will be very positive. I hope and believe it will be a success", he said.

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