Technology in the service of accessibility

Thanks to this project, the actions in the match will be transformed into tactile stimuli on a table, allowing for fans to locate the ball and identify key actions like goals, free kicks and corners. The experience is enhanced with audio descriptive commentary of the game.

Our club and Telefónica have developed a pioneering project aimed at visually impaired fans, so that they can still feel the excitement of the matches at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, thanks to a new audio-descriptive commentary of the game and a haptic tablet that allows for fans to track the position of the ball via a cursor connected to the ball in real time, with almost no delay (just 150 milliseconds). In addition, this experience is enhanced by vibrations that indicate key actions such as goals, free kicks and corners.

This is a pioneering solution in Spanish football and was launched for the first time during the league match against Rayo Vallecano, in April.

This immersive experience, the implementation of which has been led by Atleti Lab at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, the club’s Innovation Department – enhances the stadium experience for fans with visual impairments, offering a new way to enjoy football.

René Abril, the club’s Director of Technology and Digital Development explained: “As a club, we’ve always been committed to accessibility and serving our fans. To be able to improve the experiences of people with visual impairments is key for us. Working with the best ‘partners’, like LaLiga and Telefónica, allows us to make these experiences a reality at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano and helps us to be pioneers in technology and innovation”.

José María García, the Director of Sales and Big Clients in the Central Territory for Telefónica España added: “This immersive experience has been a technological challenge. It’s a stadium that allows us to make any project that improves people’s lives possible. In this case, it is the lives of those with visual impairments”.

Thanks to the joint digitalisation efforts of our club, Telefónica – Atlético de Madrid’s technology partner since the 2017/18 season – and LaLiga, the Riyadh Air Metropolitano is establishing itself as one of the leading multi-purpose venues in the world of sports and entertainment, thanks to the opportunities enabled by enhanced connectivity.