SANTA CLARA, Calif. & ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VenueNext and the Orlando Magic announced today an agreement to implement the VenueNext technology platform at the award-winning Amway Center. Starting with the 2015-16 regular season, Orlando Magic fans attending games at Amway Center will see a brand new version of the Magic’s mobile app that seamlessly surfaces services, including: mobile tickets and access systems for parking and events; wayfinding; enhanced, more flexible loyalty services; and the ability to order food, drinks and merchandise for select in-seat delivery or express pick-up.
“The Orlando Magic is one of the most innovative, forward-thinking and fan-focused in the NBA,” said VenueNext CEO & Founder John Paul. “We’re excited to collaborate with this team, not only to improve the fan experience, but also to bring new insights to the Magic about the fans attending the technology-enhanced Amway Center.”
The Orlando Magic will use VenueNext’s unifying technology platform that ties isolated systems together to connect fans to everything the venue has to offer, as well as to help them make real-time, data-driven decisions which improve business performance.
“In continuing the Orlando Magic’s commitment to our fans and their experiences at Amway Center, we are thrilled to partner with VenueNext,” said Magic CEO Alex Martins. “VenueNext’s revolutionary innovation will give our fans the ability to be mobile-enabled for Magic games in the Amway Center. In essence, we are turning our patrons’ mobile devices into remote controls for the live experience. We are proud to be the first team in the NBA to launch this application in the fall, as we continue to make our patrons’ experience legendary.”
The Amway Center continues to be a technological and innovative showcase. In December of 2014, the Magic became the first NBA team to offer Apple Pay, the revolutionary, new mobile payment technology. Other initiatives have included the launch of iBeacons technology installed throughout Amway Center to provide fans the ability to receive instant communication and updates the moment they enter the arena; and the re-launch of OrlandoMagic.com for a more responsive mobile and tablet application. The Magic was also the first NBA team to sign a deal with FanDuel.com in the fantasy sports category. The Magic’s legendary customer service training program – which was developed by the Magic in partnership with the Disney Institute – provides training to more than 2,000 Amway Center staff each year, and has become a best-practice model for the NBA. The Amway Center was named the 2012 Sports Facility of the Year by SportsBusiness Journal, while also winning the prestigious 2013 Customer Experience Award from the StadiumBusiness Awards.
About VenueNext
VenueNext is a technology company on a mission to transform the way people around the world experience venues. VenueNext’s platform unifies the venue infrastructure ecosystem, giving venue owners access to an entirely new suite of sophisticated software tools and services that enhance business performance. VenueNext also develops context-aware smartphone apps that, for the first time, seamlessly connect guests with everything a venue has to offer. Founded in 2013, VenueNext is backed by Aurum Partners LLC and other funds affiliated with the owners of the San Francisco 49ers, Causeway Media Partners, Live Nation Entertainment, Twitter Ventures and Aruba Networks. VenueNext has offices in San Francisco, Silicon Valley and New York. VenueNext was named one of the top ten most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company in 2015 and the recipient of a 2015 Edison Award for Innovation. Please visit www.venuenext.com to learn more.
About the Orlando Magic
Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic’s mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. The Magic has seen great success in a relatively short history, winning five division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010) with seven 50-plus win seasons and capturing the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. Off the court, on an annual basis, the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 75,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 6,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 25 years more than $19.8 million has been distributed to local nonprofit community organizations through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and the Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund (OMYF-MFF) since 1994, which serves at-risk youth. Ticket highlights for the Magic’s 2015-16 season in the Amway Center, honored with TheStadiumBusiness Awards’ 2013 Customer Experience Award and named SportsBusiness Journal’s 2012 Sports Facility of the Year, include: 2,500 seats priced $20 or less, 8,000 seats priced $40 or less and 9,000 seats priced $50 or under. For ticket information log on to OrlandoMagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.
