Innovation - YBVR°

YBVR° LAUNCHES XTADIUM: A NEW HOME FOR SPORTS ON META QUEST

November 24, 2022November 24, 2022 by digitalplaymakers

Have you ever wanted to immerse yourself in the action of your favorite sport? Or host a private watch party—just you, your friends, and a larger-than-life screen, even if you can’t be together in person? Then listen up, sports fans, because game night just got real with the launch of XTADIUM* on the Meta Quest Platform. Developed by YBVR, XTADIUM gets you closer to the action than ever before by delivering 180-degree virtual reality footage in up to 8K video quality. Real-time statistical overlays that you can toggle on or off let you stay on top of the game, and you can choose from up to eight different camera angles to get the perfect shot. You can enjoy the event solo or create a private watch party for you and your friends. XTADIUM will offer live events, on-demand replays, and immersive highlights for the ultimate sports experience. Check out the launch lineup of sports content: … and that’s just for starters! We expect more sports content to hit XTADIUM in the coming months. Keep an eye on the app and the blog as we roll out new content. And in the future, fans will be able to get a ticket to live pay-per-view events or access subscription-only content via authentication from their favorite leagues and networks. “At YBVR, we are a team of sports fans and virtual reality enthusiasts who believe VR is opening the door to a whole new world of possibilities for people to watch their favorite sports,” says Sebastian Amengual, YBVR Co-Founder and CTO. “Drawing from the experience and technology we’ve developed during the last six years, we built XTADIUM to fulfill our dream of creating a new VR streaming application that delivers an immersive, interactive, and social viewing experience around some of the world’s most exciting sports competitions.” “One of our core principles as an organization is ‘Be First,’” says Craig Borsari, Chief Content Officer and Executive Producer, UFC. “UFC has a long history of innovating in combat sports and in mixed martial arts in particular. We want to lead our sport in creating unprecedented, fully immersive viewing experiences for fans using state-of-the-art virtual reality technology. Working with Meta and YBVR to provide sports content for XTADIUM is a big step forward in reaching that goal.” “Having just launched NASCAR’s first VR race-viewing execution for Meta Horizon Worlds, we’re thrilled to see that content come to life in XTADIUM, too, and look forward to the additional opportunities this new app provides for further customizing unique experiences fans can’t get anywhere else,” says NASCAR Managing Director of Gaming and Esports Nick Rend. So what’re you waiting for? Grab your Meta Quest headset, call up some friends, and jump into an immersive sports experience that puts you in control. *XTADIUM is only available in the US.

YBVR° Shortlisted for SportsPro OTT Awards!

November 29, 2022October 15, 2022 by digitalplaymakers

YBVR are honoured to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Best Start-Up Tech Company’ for this year’s SportsPro’s OTT Awards. This award recognises the most impactful technology company entering the OTT industry. This nomination reinforces our ongoing commitment to innovation and technological development and highlights the outstanding work done by YBVR’s team. Thank you to everyone who was involved in this achievement, your passion and determination are truly transforming the VR world.We look forward to hearing the outcome of the SportPro OTT Awards on Wednesday 30th November! Overall, YBVR has had a fantastic year covering premier events such as Wimbledon 360 Presented by Vodafone, Canadian Premier League, NASCAR and the US Open. Additionally, YBVR partnered with Meta to launch A NEW HOME FOR SPORTS in the Metaverse – XTADIUM. XTADIUM gets you closer to the action than ever before by delivering 180-degree virtual reality (VR) footage in up to 8K video quality. Real-time statistical overlays that you can toggle on or off let you stay on top of the game, and you can choose from up to eight different camera angles to get the best view. You can enjoy the ultimate sports experience by yourself or create a private watch party for your friends to join. What to find out more about our latest product XTADIUM? Follow the link below: https://xtadiumvr.com/

YBVR, TELUS, and MEDIAPRO Canada join forces to deliver a cutting-edge immersive viewing experience for Canadian Premier League soccer fans

November 15, 2022October 13, 2022 by digitalplaymakers

Canadian soccer fans can now watch Canadian Premier League for free on the TELUS Sports app available on mobile devices through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YBVR, a Silicon Valley technology startup and a global leader in Immersive Live Sports streaming, has joined forces with TELUS and MEDIAPRO Canada to pilot a fully-immersive Sports Metaverse service in Canada and redefine the way fans experience live sports. Beginning with OneSoccer and the Canadian Premier League (CPL), the TELUS Sports app brings Canadian soccer fans access to unique features allowing them to choose, in real time, between up to eight different camera angles, across multiple devices and from multiple viewers to offer the most immersive soccer viewing experience in the comfort of their home or on-the-go. TELUS Sports is free and available for download on mobile devices through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, select Android TVs for TELUS subscribers on Optik TV and Pik TV, and web browsers by visiting telussports.ybvr.com. “YBVR is proud to partner with TELUS and MEDIAPRO Canada to offer a one-of-a-kind viewing experience to Canadian soccer fans,” said Hector Prieto, Co-Founder and CEO at YBVR. “YBVR is the technology provider behind the enhanced, immersive, multi-camera and hyper-personalized fan experience. It is an interactive and flexible solution that will be available for all October Canadian Premier League games. As soccer fever takes over Canada, the ending of this year’s season promises to be exciting, and TELUS, combined with the power of YBVR’s technology, will make it accessible for all Canadians.” YBVR’s current portfolio of immersive sports tech initiatives includes projects with Wimbledon and the Australia Open tennis Majors, EuroLeague basketball, and Real Madrid, as well as partnerships with major players in sports broadcasting such as Verizon, Singtel, and Telefónica. “As the sport with the highest participation levels among children and young people in Canada, soccer is embedded in our national mainstream. This project provides an exciting boost for fans by enhancing the Canadian Premier League’s digital content offering through the TELUS Sports app,” said Amit Nag, Vice-president, Entertainment and Education Services at TELUS. “By partnering together with YBVR and MEDIAPRO Canada, TELUS is piloting next-generation technology for the Canadian Premier League and enhancing soccer’s impact on the Canadian landscape.” The new partnership is among the first to ride the wave of technological innovation into Canada, bringing immersive, personalized and interactive functionalities to soccer. The combined technological capabilities and experience of these three world-leading companies will bring a trailblazing new option to Canadian Premier League fans through the TELUS Sports app and OneSoccer. “This new venture represents an extraordinary opportunity for OneSoccer and the Canadian Premier League and will vault the viewing experience to a whole new level,” said Oscar López, Chief Executive Officer at MEDIAPRO Canada. “In just four years, the CPL has developed into a compelling and competitive league with a dedicated fan base from coast to coast, and TELUS and YBVR have shown that they understand the popularity of soccer among Canadian families and sports fans, at a time when Canadian soccer is reaching new heights – not just at home but at a continental and global level. We’re delighted to join the likes of Real Madrid and Wimbledon in engaging viewers through the latest in technological innovation.” The TELUS Sports app is available as a pilot for fans to watch the remaining nine matches in the season, for a total of four regular season matches and the five post-season fixtures which will determine the 2022 CPL champion. About YBVRYBVR is a technology company that is re-defining the way fans experience live sports. YBVR enables a new immersive and interactive dialogue with sport fans, especially the new generations, engaging from home and in-venue. The expansive expertise of these companies brings about a fantastic opportunity for the Canadian Premier League and its fans. About MEDIAPRO CanadaMEDIAPRO Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of GRUP Mediapro, the Spanish media multinational, holds a long-term partnership with Canadian Soccer Business for the worldwide media rights to the Canadian Premier League, the country’s first-division men’s professional soccer league; the Canadian Championship, Canada Soccer’s domestic soccer competition involving all professional soccer clubs in Canada including Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC, CF Montréal and the Vancouver Whitecaps; and the home friendly matches of Canada Soccer’s Women’s and Men’s National Teams. In 2019, it launched OneSoccer, a dedicated soccer channel available through TELUS Optik TV, fuboTV and the OneSoccer app. About TELUSTELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with $17 billion in annual revenue and 17 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. Our social purpose is to leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to drive social change and enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. The numerous, sustained accolades TELUS has earned over the years from independent, industry-leading network insight firms showcase the strength and speed of TELUS’ global-leading networks, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better. TELUS Health is Canada’s leader in digital health technology, improving access to health and wellness services and revolutionizing the flow of health information across the continuum of care. TELUS Agriculture provides innovative digital solutions throughout the agriculture value chain, supporting better food outcomes from improved agri-business data insights and processes. TELUS International (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator that designs, builds, and delivers next-generation solutions, including AI and content management, for global and disruptive brands across high-growth industry verticals, including tech and games, communications and media, ecommerce and FinTech, healthcare, and travel and hospitality. TELUS and TELUS International operate in 25+ countries around the world. Driven by our determination and vision to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and … Read more

YBVR BUILDING THE METAVERSE OF SPORTS WITH 5G TECHNOLOGY IN CANADA

August 16, 2022July 25, 2022 by digitalplaymakers

YBVR accelerates deployment of Sports Metaverse with additional funding from TELUS Ventures SAN JOSE, Calif. – July, 2022 – YBVR, the global leader on Immersive Live Sports[1] streaming, announced additional funding from Telus Ventures, to advance the introduction of fully immersive Sports Metaverse services to Canada. The investment provides a boost to scale and deploy the technology across Canada, creating a major milestone for the company. TELUS Ventures’ investment comes to YBVR on top of previous investments from Verizon and Telefonica,[3] reinforcing YBVR’s research and development across 5G/MEC and low latency video technology. “YBVR is looking forward to partnering with TELUS for the next-generation of Live Sports streaming, bringing the tech that will make the Metaverse of Sports a marketplace for fans to enjoy and for the industry to monetize the value created around the sport,” said Hector Prieto, Cofounder and CEO of YBVR. “With TELUS’ 5G/MEC capabilities, we will ensure fans are closer to live sports emotions, whether remote or in-venue, providing immersive experiences with sub-second latencies.” In Canada, YBVR will deploy the next-generation VR technology for streaming live immersive sports and music events with unparalleled quality across devices that is yet to be experienced. “We are excited to be working with YBVR on growing the role of virtual reality experiences in live entertainment and leveraging our world-leading network to connect audiences with interactive and accessible content from around the globe,” said Mario Mele, Vice-president, TELUS Ventures. “At TELUS Ventures we value the role technology plays in our day-to-day lives and are looking forward to working further with this innovative Silicon Valley based startup.” About YBVR YBVR is re-defining the way fans experience live sports. Fans can now experience the magic of ‘being there’ from anywhere. YBVR tech enables a new immersive and interactive dialogue with sport fans, especially the new generations, engaging from home and in-venue. YBVR cloud-based tech empowers sport and music event organizers/right-holders with new assets for engagement and monetization. Fans can decide when, how, what and with whom to enjoy live streaming with premium viewing experiences, in real-time, and across devices. YBVR’s technology provides high-quality 360-degree live streams in 8K with patented Field-of-View optimization that consumes up to 80 per cent less bandwidth. YBVR headquarters are in California, with commercial presence in six markets. YBVR is the leader in immersive sports tech, already trusted by Wimbledon, Australian Open, Real Madrid, Fan Controlled Football, Euroleague Basketball and a number of other relevant players in the sports industry as well as Verizon, TELUS, Singtel and Telefonica. YBVR is embarking on their Series A raise to continue their leadership position in the market and capture the massive Sports Metaverse opportunity while building additional partnerships with major players. About TELUS Ventures As the strategic investment arm of TELUS Corporation (TSX: T, NYSE: TU), TELUS Ventures is one of Canada’s most active corporate venture capital funds. TELUS Ventures invests globally in companies from Seed to Pre-IPO with a focus on innovative technologies such as AgTech, HealthTech, Connected Consumer, IoT, AI, and Security to actively drive new solutions across the TELUS ecosystem. Led by a team of experienced operators, investors and executives, the Ventures team is passionate about creating positive social impact through financial tools and has invested in more than 100 companies since inception. For more information please visit ventures.telus.com.

YBVR joins the industrial world with the support of EU H2020 5G-INDUCE project

August 16, 2022April 25, 2022 by digitalplaymakers

As previously announced, YBVR is working with the support of EU H2020 5G-INDUCE project to develop applications for industrial environments to grow the industry 4.0. Within this project YBVR has developed a use case that aims to offer industrial improvements using 5G infrastructures to help factories to have safer and more efficient working environments. This use case, developed by YBVR, joins the monitoring of the industrial environment with the new possibilities of the immersive reality. This goal will be achieved through the installation of 360° cameras in an AGV (Auto Guided Vehicle) and connecting these cameras with 5G technology. This will provide near real-time 360° images of the environment to the person operator responsible for monitoring the AGVs, getting access to a direct view around of the AGV anywhere and whenever he needs them. Additionally, real-time data collected from the AGV and the 5G network are displayed overlayed on the immersive view, to help the operator for quicker troubleshooting. In the development of the use case, YBVR has collaborated with large companies, like Ericsson, which is providing the 5G infrastructure, Ford, offering the Motors factory of Valencia where the use case is deployed, and ASTI Mobile Robotics, the manufacturer of the AGVs, other startups are contributed to the use case, as FiveComm, that has developed the 5G modem which will provide the 5G connectivity of the 360°camera. Below, you can find a picture with the description of this use case. After of being working on the development of the NetApp that offers this use case for more than one year, recently the first proof of concept was deployed and tested successfully in the 5TONIC facilities of IMDEA Networks in Madrid. The next step will be to test this NetApp at the Ford Motors factory in Valencia where a part of the 5G infrastructure of the 5G-INDUCE project is being deployed.

YBVR Launched YB Arena – Split-Second Latency XR Video Streaming Solution

August 16, 2022January 16, 2022 by digitalplaymakers

With this solution tailored for immersive in-venue fan experiences, sports fans experienced immersive 360/180 multi-video streaming enabled by 5G and AWS Wavelength mobile edge compute capabilities at the Golden1Center SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — YBVR, has launched their latest product YB Arena to provide immersive live streaming of XR video in real-time with premium user experiences for in-venue entertainment. On December 8th, 2021 at the Golden1Center, for the first time ever, basketball fans could experience 360/180 immersive views while being their own program director, enjoying courtside views of Sacramento Kings vs. Orlando Magic on their mobile device from any seat of the stadium. Running YB Arena on AWS Wavelength at the 5G Edge, enabled the fans to follow the game in real-time. AWS Wavelength brings AWS compute and storage services to the edge of carriers’ wireless networks. The combination minimizes the latency and network hops required to connect from an application hosted on AWS to the end user’s device. Next-gen in-venue fan experience – Immersive multi-cam viewing in real-time streamed from the Edge “We are thrilled to launch immersive real-time services for new fan experiences in stadiums together with AWS. Benefiting from 5G and AWS Wavelength MEC capabilities to break previous limitations for latency and being able to deliver immersive videos in premium 8K quality to fans at the stadium with a split-second low lag is very exciting,” said Hector Prieto, Co-Founder and CEO of YBVR. “This is just the beginning of creating the future of experiencing live sports and entertainment on site.” Sports and music businesses are trying to find new ways to engage with their fans. Especially how to attract younger audiences with new, interactive, cutting-edge technologies in entertainment, and how to get fans into the stadium rather than watching games at home or on the go. Beside the low-lag in-venue focus, YBVR also offers YB One, their OTT product for immersive live streaming to millions of fans at home or on the go. Both products run on a lean footprint and can be operated very efficiently from a single platform. YBVR’s go-to-market solution in the US is enabled through AWS partner network program.

NOS gives “5G seat” at Luz Stadium to children from the Benfica Foundation with YBVR technology

November 15, 2022December 22, 2021 by digitalplaymakers

5G immersive camera installed in seat 5 of row G of the central stand of the Sport Lisboa e Benfica stadium transmitted the game directly to the children’s VR glasses. Children who had never been to the Sport Lisboa e Benfica stadium saw the Benfica-Marítimo match as if they were really there. Using 5G technology and virtual reality glasses, it was possible to reduce the more than 340 kilometers that separate Paredes from Lisbon, allowing the mini fans to live the 90 minutes fully immersed in the game and interact with reality in the stands. For that, a Panasonic BGH-1 camera was placed in Seat 5, row G of the Stadium, which broadcast the game live to the Oculus Quest 2 used by the children and other fans that were in the Benfica House of Paredes. The ultra-fast speeds of NOS’ 5G, as well as its low latency and the YBVR streaming technology, ensured an immersive experience very close to reality. For Daniel Beato, Director of NOS for the consumer area, “the role of NOS is to bring the benefits of the fifth generation mobile network to all the Portuguese. With this initiative we show the positive impact that 5G can have on the life of all of us, as an enabler of unique experiences, which will remain forever in the memory of those who live them. That’s what we work for every day”. According to Carlos Moia, Executive President of the Benfica Foundation, “for us it is very important to be close to all the fans, especially those who, for various reasons, have not had the opportunity to attend a game of their team in its stadium. The Benfica Foundation develops several Social Responsibility projects in different areas of intervention, namely the “For you if you don’t miss it!”, which aims to empower and combat absenteeism and school dropout, using sports as a tool for inclusion.

YBVR provides immersive tech to Bowling for the IBF Super World Championships at Dubai

December 16, 2022December 21, 2021 by digitalplaymakers

A live scenario piloting the ‘fan in control’ experience that immerses fans through StrikeCloud took place at the IBF Super World Championships 2021 from Dubai in November, powered by YBVR. SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — YBVR, the leading immersive XR streaming solution that unlocks live event emotions for millions of viewers across devices, today presented the technology pilot conducted in Dubai this November at the IBF Super World Championships from Dubai Expo 2020. Thanks to YBVR immersive tech, bowling fans from around the world have enjoyed a live immersive experience from home and in mobility, from multiple devices – Mobile (Phones/Tablets), Web (PC/MAC) and Oculus VR headsets. Fans from 83 countries took the opportunity to feel as if they were present at the finals of the World Championships. Thousands of beta users have tested the StrikeCloud Immersive concept, with high interest from users in Sweden and USA as both countries medaled. With YBVR patented tech, fans can select the preferred angle with a multi-cam choice and an immediate synchronized camera change. On top of this, they can also select 360-degree views to check out the actions from the lanes, close up! “At the very start of our digital transformation plans, we connected with YBVR to help us discover a new distinctive way to unlock the sport’ said Chris Neilson, Innovation & Business Development Director at IBF”. He continued: “It’s been extremely exciting to see this vision come to life during our IBF Super World Championships at Dubai Expo2020, showcasing the flexible interactively to consume the sport by providing full control to the fan across multiple devices. By immersing fans from anywhere into our outdoor setup ensured we could celebrate with the loyal bowling enthusiasts and welcome the new fans with a well-balanced hybrid experience that will take bowling into the next millennium”. “YBVR is proud in being part of the journey with IBF and the International Bowling community’ said Hector Prieto, YBVR CEO. ‘We will support and be there with key stakeholders of bowling to ensure everyone across the world can enjoy in real-time, the live emotions of sport bowling!” After this validation, the industry has ambitious plans for the full deployment of the YBVR technology across National Federations, broadcasters, academies, and tournament organizers. Very soon, the emerging Virtual Ticket to the Metaverse of Sports will allow passionate bowling fans to feel the sport closer than ever before, regardless of the limitations of space for those that cannot be physically present at a tournament itself. Try out on your device: The immersive bowling experience StrikeCloud 360. About YBVR YBVR is re-defining the way fans experience live sports and entertainment engaging from home, and in-venue. Even without being in-venue, fans can now experience the magic of ‘being there’. YBVR tech enables a new immersive and interactive dialogue with sport fans, especially the new generations. YBVR cloud-based tech empowers sport and music event organizers and right-holders with new assets for engagement and monetization. Fans can decide when, how, what and with whom to enjoy live streaming with premium viewing experiences, in real-time, and across devices. YBVR headquarters are in California with a development team in Madrid and commercial presence in Japan, Singapore, and Australia. About International Bowling Federation (IBF) The International Bowling Federation represents member federations and bowlers from across the world. At the heart of what we do, uniting us all, is our mission to connect the world with the greatness of bowling. Connecting further, faster, for all. Ninepin, Tenpin, academy, para, male, female, young, old; whoever you are, wherever you come from, our sport crosses cultures. Truly inclusive, united by a passion for bowling, we bring the world closer together by innovating our sport with technology and data. Championing the best of bowling. Guardians of our sport, we show bowling at its best. By removing the complexity and barriers to play, without compromising the integrity of our sport. IBF is the International governing body for the sport of Tenpin, Ninepin and Para Bowling representing five continental zones and 114 member federations. IBF was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1979 as the world governing body for the sport of Bowling and by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in 2019 for Para Bowling.

Fan evolution on traditional sports

August 15, 2022July 16, 2021 by digitalplaymakers

There is no doubt that technology has a bearing on sports development. During the latest years, the sports industry has gone through many changes, considering both the emergence of new sports and the advances in different types of entertainment. The sports industry is getting more professional and accurate by the hand of technology. Thinking about a combination of sport and technology, who cannot expect innovative sponsorship packages, the possibility of increasing the ticketing offer, revolutionary fan engagement experiences, and the variety of new sports competition? And yet, fans of these sports are getting older on average: According to Sports Business Journal’s data (Table 1), as described in the 3DownNation portal, the average age of fans of several national leagues and international competitions with a huge relevance has been steadily increasing. This trend can negatively affect the future of these sports: younger fans are not feeling the same interest as before. Which are the factors driving these trends? What kind of actions to take as a result? All of these are burning questions for anyone in these sports. On one hand, the world has changed: New device form factors (mobile, tablet…), the rising popularity of short duration highlights versus full games, the emergence of interactive content… these are only some of the changes that no one could expect some years ago. The effect of generational change in the consumption habits of “traditional” sports can be seen in terms of the fan base, engagement, and viewing minutes. Newer generations, attracted by new sports, focused on different preferences and needs, living in an unstable environment, and benefiting from digital tools, seem to be harder for many of these sports to attract and retain. On the side of actions, sports institutions are trying many different solutions: The backwardness of some competition bases: ATP introduced the ATP Next Generation in 2017, a new competition to promote and highlight the young professionals. Broadcasting and its channels: LaLiga has started experimenting with Twitch content and interacting with prominent streamers and casters. Younger fans use different platforms and sports must adapt to them. Fan engagement: Euroleague has shown innovative strategies by promoting the FanXP Challenge: A Challenge to captivate start-ups focused on fan engagement. Embrace new competitions: some traditional clubs, like Real Betis Balompié or Shalke04, introduced an eSports team in their business plan to connect with the new entertainment audience. In fact, it is normal to have a little increase in the average fan’s age due to the huge variety of new entertainment that is competing with the sport. There are fewer possibilities to attach the audience in just one of them as there are more leisure options. It means that fans prefer to diversify their preferences, as it is being more usual to see multi-device consumers. However, traditional sports must be cautious about their fan’s evolution and how this will affect the future of their competitions. YBVR offers a means to rejuvenate the audience of traditional sports with a technology that resonates with newer generations. Sports broadcast from different perspectives, unique experiences from events around the world, total immersive action, and a variety of content options, all these factors combined make an incredible opportunity to connect with the younger audiences.

Euroleague Final Four

August 15, 2022May 17, 2021 by digitalplaymakers

Fans can get closer than ever to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four with the ground-breaking launch of a unique virtual reality experience for this month’s season finale in Cologne. The Final Four VR Pass will offer unprecedented up-close access to the on-court action, bringing home the emotions of the live event like never before. A digital control room will let fans curate their own viewing experience by choosing among 12 live feeds, including four 180-degree cameras on the backboards and in the area of the courtside seats. Users have the freedom to switch between cameras in real-time to decide which ones they watch and how they watch them. The pass may be bought as a virtual ticket at a base price of 15€ by clicking here. A code can then be redeemed in the EuroLeagueTV VR App, available on Android, iOS and Oculus, giving full VR access to all four games of the Final Four. Due to the inability of fans to attend the Final Four this season due to health and safety protocols surrounding the global pandemic, the Final Four VR Pass is a chance to witness the event in a whole new way. Passes will be limited to the number of regular tickets, 14,210, that would have been sold for the Lanxess Arena under normal circumstances. The VR Pass will be offered to those fans who had bought tickets for the canceled 2020 Final Four and to current EuroLeague TV subscribers with a 50% discount. The Final Four VR Pass is a collaboration between Euroleague Basketball and Yerba Buena VR Inc. (YBVR), a leading developer of end-to-end VR video streaming solutions and services. YBVR has a special focus on premium quality video and easy-to-deploy experiences, using patented immersive technology to offer 8K streaming at 60 frames per second with zero-buffering, instant camera change capability. Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Euroleague Basketball Marketing and Communication Senior Director, said: “Since the cancellation of last season’s Final Four we have been working hard to bring our fans the best possible experience during their absence from the arenas due to the pandemic. The VR Pass will allow our fans to live the Final Four almost like a player”. Hector Prieto, Co-Founder and CEO of YBVR, said: “It is exciting to work hand-in-hand with Euroleague Basketball in pioneering a Virtual Reality experience. The most rewarding thing is allowing devoted basketball fans to really feel the emotions of the live Final Four, experiencing the action at home as if they were courtside in Cologne.”