5 Ways to Maximize Your Fan Experience

Fans are the heart and soul of any team. They're the ones who shell out tons of money on merchandise. They love throwing tailgating parties outside of stadiums and talking to others about how much they love their teams. Fan experiences give them even more to love. While you can use sponsors to keep the doors open and reward them with skyboxes and other perks, don't forget about your fans. With the top five ways to maximize your fan experience, you get them excited about watching the team play and may even increase your profits.

Go Behind the Scenes

In the United States alone, fans spend around $56 billion on merchandise and event tickets every year. One way to enhance their experiences is when you let them go behind the scenes. A stadium tour is just one fun option. Fans can buy tickets and get an inside look at what happens before and after games. Behind-the-scenes experiences can also include a visit to the locker room during halftime or the chance to throw a football or grab a catch on the field.

Use the Cameras

The Kiss Cam is a fun feature used during professional, amateur, and college games. Those in charge of the cameras keep an eye out for couples around the stadium and put them on the big screens where others can see them. The crowd often goes wild when the two kiss on camera. This is a fun way to get your fans excited about games and enhance their experiences. They might come out just in the hopes of appearing on one of the screens. You can use the cameras to help fans celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, too.

Create Different Sections

College teams often have separate sections for students vs. other types of fans. One way to maximize the experiences of your fans is with sections dedicated to some of the team's star players from over the years. Many fans will love the idea of sitting in the section named for their favorite players. Adding a student section is another fun idea because it often has a different vibe. Students love wearing their team's colors and rooting for the players as the action unfolds. You can even reward them with discounted tickets.

Build an App

If you do not have an app for your stadium or arena, you cannot reach mobile users. Some team owners and managers make the mistake of releasing basic apps that don't do much. You need to look for ways to get the fans excited about grabbing and using the app. One way is with social media links. Encourage fans to share photos they took during games on social media and tag your location in them. Fans can use the app to connect with others and talk about the team or players, too. A good app will also include the upcoming schedule and help fans buy tickets.

Launch a Loyalty Program

Loyalty programs are great for loyal fans. These programs often reward people for doing different things. It's also an easy way to increase your brand recognition and make fans want to come to games. Give fans points when they do certain things such as posting about your team online or sharing a photo. They earn more points when they buy passes such as BYU fan experience passes or tickets. Give them rewards they can unlock when they earn points. You might let them redeem their points to enter some of the contests you offer or to get tickets to a big game.

Tailgating and More

Tailgating is one of the more popular fan activities. People spend a lot of money to set up outside in the parking lot as they make delicious food and celebrate with other supporters. Sports fans spend just as much money on team merchandise every year like hoodies they wear during the winter and decor they use at home. Learning how to maximize their experiences is the best way to foster a good relationship with them and encourage them to root for the team. Some of the ways you can enhance your fan experience include using a loyalty program, creating different sections for them, and giving them ways to go behind the scenes.