Portsmouth FC are introducing augmented reality into the matchday experience for the 2013-14 season. Via a partnership with Blippar, Portsmouth fans will have the opportunity to view interactive video content from their matchday programmes.

Pages that hold ‘Blippar-able’ content will have a Blippar logo on display and Portsmouth have promised “exciting video content that is planned to run throughout the programme for every home league game this season”. As we haven’t seen any examples of what Portsmouth FC are planning, we can only guess as to what will be on offer.

We’ve already seen Blippar used to bring augmented reality to the Superbowl, with Budweiser and, recently, the Sunday Times Sport supplement:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D3LQGAegec[/youtube]

Portsmouth have made it clear that the content will be primarily video-based, and haven’t spoken too much of interactivity in a similar fashion to the Sunday Times article above. Micah Hall, engagement manager at Portsmouth FC, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to bring our supporters this cutting edge technology… We felt our programme for the Charlton and Rayo friendlies was our best ever, but this one takes the publication to a whole new level.”

It’s a brilliant idea, and could be a great addition to the matchday experience but there are still concerns. Firstly, connectivity. As most will know, when in a ground alongside thousands of others, mobile connection is notoriously poor.

With Pompey not having WiFi at the ground, the technology will be temperamental inside the stadium which will hamper the experience somewhat. Another concern is whether the content generated will be worth the investment from Pompey, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Either way, this is an interesting move from Portsmouth FC, and kudos for the inventive integration of modern technology with traditional footballing paraphernalia.