Signal Noise (the design consultancy within The Economist) partnered with Siemens for a world-first - ‘Reimagine the Game’ - which allows football fans to view FC Bayern matches by listening to thousands of data points captured within key moments in the game.
– AN IMMERSIVE SOUNDSCAPE
Using incredibly precise audio detection technology, we created a 3D soundscape that maps the noise within the Allianz Arena. We then analysed the fan noise alongside match data to identify interesting narratives and surface new perspectives on ‘fan energy’ and its interplay with on-pitch performance.
– A VISUAL ANALYSIS
Users can interact with the data visualizations with any kind of device: from mobile to desktop size, the experience is immersive. Like if you were actually sitting in the Arena.
– FAN ENERGY
But action on the pitch is only part of the experience. Passionate fan energy can power a team forward and change the course of a game. By responding to every change of possession, questionable decision or missed chance, the fans give us the perfect lens through which to reimagine the game.
Football is a data-rich environment, and fans at a modern stadium can help us to better understand what is happening both on and off the pitch. Each fan is an individual data point, and when fans come together on match-day they create a wealth of information that we can capture and visualise.
A spherical array of microphones within the Allianz Arena is used to record the fan’s energy from all angles, producing an omnidirectional sound map of crowd noise in response to event on the match. Success on the field is shaped by the atmosphere across the stands.
‘Reimagine the game’ is a totally unique platform allowing football fans to view FC Bayern games by listening to thousands of data points captured within key moments during the match.
Information architecture
Users can explore five FC Bayern matches through the public engagement. The experience is available on mobile device as well.
Working with Signal Noise, using incredibly precise audio detection technology, Siemens created a 3D soundscape that maps the noise of the entire Allianz Arena. We analysed the fan noise in combination with match data to identify interesting narratives and surface new perspectives on ‘fan energy’ and its interplay with on-pitch performance.
Pivotal moments from each of the 5 matches, when social activity echoes the energy emanating from the stands.
The Allianz Arena digital twin
As our heatmap shows, some pockets of fans generate more noise than others. Over the 5 matches analysed, it’s plain to see where most of the energy is coming from. This data could be particularly useful when choosing where to sit – depending on a fan’s preferences – as we can predict where support will be at its most vocal.
You can explore five FC Bayer matches by analysing our five parameters: game time, fan energy, highlights, top players, social engagement.
1 / Game timeline
From the fans calling out the team sheet to the game timeline, match highlights, most supported players and the social ripple of excitement, it’s through the voices of 75,000 fans that we can now judge and compare the quality of each game. By responding to every change of possession, questionable decision or missed chance, the fans give us the perfect lens through which Siemens reimagine the game.
2 / Fan energy
The decibel range of the supporters in the arena is measured and combined with the sound pressure level data to assign a fan energy score between 1-100 throughout the game. by dragging the playhead to the time in the game you can see when the home supporters were making the most noise. The bigger the swell around one section of the ground, the louder the supporters.
3 / Highlights of the game
Here you can see fan's reactions to goals, cards and straight sending offs. The Arena reacted by singing chants, praising goal actions and special moments.
4 / Most supported players
We measured the amount of fan energy each player generated across the 5 matches. Here are the players with the most vocal support. The graph represents an aggregated view of a player’s possession across the 5 games, with each bar displaying the support stoked up while on the ball. Revealingly, it’s not just the forwards who crank up the volume.
5 / Social engagement
How far did the excitement surrounding a game spread? Social Ripple analysis is designed to explore the volume of digital activity on Twitter in the 12 hours before and after the game.
– AWARDS
Webby Awards Nominee (2019)
Shorty awards finalist (2019)
Clio Awards Shortlist (2019)
– CREDITS
Anna Dziubinska, Ben Willers, Benjamin Royer, Chris Brown, Chris Hawes, Jemma Long, Louis De Fouchier, Lucia Kocincova, Matt Falla, Matt Rowett, Paul Button, Ryan Garratt, Valentina D'Efilippo, Zdenek Hynek
