Major League Baseball unveils new virtual ballpark to offer fans immersive experiences, digital games and online event space
Major League Baseball (MLB) today unveiled a new virtual ballpark that offers immersive and engaging digital experiences to baseball fans wherever they may be. MLB’s new virtual ballpark – a first for a professional sports league – will launch and open to fans on Saturday, July 8th, with a special online watch party for the MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game presented by Corona.
MLB’s virtual ballpark will showcase experiential and interactive opportunities that allow fans from around the world to meet and engage with each other. Fans can access the virtual ballpark directly on MLB.com/virtual-ballpark as it bridges the gap between ballpark experiences and virtual spaces, encouraging fans to connect on a whole new level.
For the inaugural virtual event, fans can join this digital, interactive social space to explore and interact with each other. The watch party will include a live stream of the MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game presented by Corona on the virtual ballpark’s video board, where fans can view exclusive celebrity interviews not seen elsewhere. During the game, fans participating in the virtual stadium experience can also play mini-games tied to real-time events happening inside T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Additionally, fans can customize their avatars with their favorite team’s jersey, participate in a Sorare card scavenger hunt, participate in trivia games, and be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win tickets to the 2023 World Series presented by Capital One. All attendees will also receive a commemorative digital ticket created by Candy Digital. Ahead of the inaugural event, fans can visit MLB.com/virtual-ballpark to register and learn more about the MLB virtual ballpark experience. The MLB virtual ballpark was developed in collaboration with Improbable, a London-based technology firm that develops virtual spaces to connect brands with consumers in a new digital landscape.
“As we continue to enhance and prioritize the MLB fan experience through innovative technologies, this new virtual ballpark will become a great testing ground for the league and our fans worldwide,” said Kenny Gersh, MLB Executive Vice President, Media & Business Development. “In working closely with Improbable, we’ve taken what baseball fans know and love about their unique ballpark experiences and connected it to an accessible, virtual world. Not everyone has the opportunity to attend Major League games or enjoy a Major League ballpark experience, but now we can provide this opportunity to anyone with an internet connection, no matter where they are. “
Improbable can enable enhanced social interaction in the virtual spaces it helps develop through its M² network and online ecosystem powered by its own Morpheus technology. Providing a sense of presence inside virtual spaces, users on Improbable’s networks can interact with each other in the same online place at the same time from anywhere in the world in an ultimate lag-free experience.
Fans can watch their favorite celebrities during the livestream of the 2023 All-Star Celebrity Softball Game presented by Corona on the virtual ballpark’s videoboard. The lineup of participating celebrities include actors Adam Devine and Skylar Astin, Olympian Chloe Kim, social media sensation JoJo Siwa and more. This digital viewing party is the first of multiple events planned for the virtual ballpark in 2023.