Our mobile phones can do so much more now compared to 20 years ago. Initially, these handheld devices were meant to help us stay connected on the go. Today, they have become a vessel for entertainment. Our reliance on mobile is ever-increasing, which is changing the way we prefer to consume content.

Sports fans no longer need to scurry through a TV guide to plan their sports fix. Mobile platforms give them a wider choice to consume whatever sporting content they like–on demand. The experience is immersive, interactive, and personalized to their needs. This blog will explore the key trends set to further revolutionize mobile sports entertainment as fans brace themselves for an exciting era of sports consumption.

Immersive Technology

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) completely transform the way someone watches a game. These technologies allow fans to experience what it would be like to be at the stadium, which is fantastic for fans who follow teams in different countries, where it is not always feasible to turn up for live games.

Moreover, the principles of AR and VR are also being explored in other areas, such as fitness. For those looking to build a fitness app, adding these technologies can create immersive workouts that enhance user engagement. Imagine offering virtual training sessions where users can feel like they’re exercising alongside a coach in a virtual environment, making fitness not only more interactive but also more enjoyable.

The personalized experience on offer is something that hasn’t been heard of before. Imagine being able to choose the exact camera angle to watch a game or see a player’s stats appear on-screen during live broadcasts. A few sports brands have already begun incorporating immersive experiences. For example, the NBA’s Brooklyn Bets allows fans to watch live games in the Metaverse. Additionally, according to one survey, 58% of Americans would be happy to watch the Super Bowl in a virtual space.

These tech tools are already here. They’re ready for fans that are eager to experiment with new ways to watch their favorite teams, and communicate between themselves via mobile apps. It is up to sports brands to give the fans what they want. AR and VR can boost a sports brand’s appeal and provide an extra revenue source.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Like every other industry, AI-driven strategies are heavily influencing mobile sports entertainment in 2025 and beyond through several means.

Personalized content and experiences: after you generate leads, you can use the leads you have to personalize your content better. AI can learn from a mobile fan’s preferences and provide personalized recommendations. For example, if someone has a favorite sports player, the home screen can be personalized to the latest news about that player. One of the first to trial AI was the annual Wimbledon tennis tournament. They used IBM’s Watson to provide real-time match insights, player statistics, and personalized highlight reels for fans.

Multilingual and accessible content: Sports transcends language, cultures, and borders. It’s no longer the case that fans only follow a team in their locality. For example, the soccer club Real Madrid has 141 fan hubs outside of Spain As a result, it has become essential to provide content in a fan’s native language as well as adhere to general accessibility standards. Thanks to AI, it is now possible to deliver interviews, commentaries, and all other content in any language, along with audio descriptions. The more accessible a content piece, the greater the worldwide appeal.

5G and Seamless Streaming

5G can transmit data up to 20 times faster than 4G. This allows fans to live stream sporting events in HD to 8K without buffering or interruptions. 5G offers low latency, which means there is minimal delay between the sporting event occurring in real life and when it appears on a viewer’s screen.

Low latency is important in live sports because much of the excitement is seeing the action unfold in real time. Imagine finding out about your team scoring 30 seconds later than everyone else. It leads to a poor experience because it doesn’t help the fan feel part of the action. Lower latency has other benefits, too. It ensures that all other interactive game elements, such as AR, VR, and real-time stats, are fast and responsive.

Gamification

Gamification is about turning regular mobile interactions into a more rewarding and meaningful experience. Here are several ideas for inspiration.

Fantasy sports: this is where fans create virtual teams using real athletes and earn points based on the athlete’s real-life performance. Fans can pit themselves against each other in virtual leagues. The great thing about fantasy sports is it deepens their investment in using the app because much more is perceived to be at stake.

Rewards and loyalty programs: Sports brands can award points for regular app interaction like watching a game or even opening the app. Some other ways to award points include: predicting matchday scores, completing daily quizzes and challenges.

Brands can then allow fans to cash in their points for discounted merchandise, matchday tickets, stadium tours, or other experiences. This makes using the app a huge incentive for any fan. Additionally, accumulating points can earn fans badges and achievements that signify their loyalty to their sports club, making them feel a part of the club’s community.

Social media community building: in the future, sports brands should consider leaning on these entirely fan-run platforms for collaborations. Fans are already visiting these channels on matchday and throughout the week leading up to a matchday–why not get these influencers officially integrated with your sports brand’s mobile experience? This is a great way to build and monetize fan communities and drive thousands (or millions) of extra subscribers.

This is where fans watch a game together, share their thoughts and opinions, and connect globally with other fans to build a community. Once that community is built within your environment, it becomes a source of perpetual user-generated (UG) content and the only credible source for fans who want to keep up with their favorite team.

Final Thoughts

The world is heading toward mobile consumption. It is pervading every aspect of our lives, from online shopping to content consumption. Sports brands that are the first to intelligently cater their mobile experience to modern-day fan needs will significantly increase brand awareness while driving up revenue. If you’re interested in monetizing your sports audience through mobile, check out how Telecoming has already helped big sports brands like Real Madrid, and get in touch if you’d like similar results!

Arif Bharakda is a versatile writer passionate about marketing, technology, and B2B insights. With a keen interest in personal growth, Arif brings a relatable perspective to complex topics, making them accessible to all readers.