Shorts: Manchester City, Loughborough University, Watts Occurring
Man City launches Premier League’s first VR stadium experience
Manchester City has become the first Premier League club to add a virtual reality experience to its stadium tour. ‘Beyond The Blue Moon’ lets fans explore City-themed virtual worlds, fly over a futuristic Etihad Stadium, and lift a trophy in front of cheering fans.
The immersive attraction also highlights the club’s history and legendary moments, making it suitable for all ages.
Commenting on the launch, Manchester City Operations Managing Director Danny Wilson said the VR experience reflects the club’s ongoing commitment to innovation ahead of next year’s opening of the new Manchester City Museum.
Volleyball England serves up Loughborough deal
Volleyball England have confirmed a new five-year agreement with Loughborough University to host its major indoor events, competitions, and training camps.
From September 2025, the Leicestershire campus will stage events such as the Cup Finals and the Junior Grand Prix Last 8. The move will centralise the national governing body’s operations, with its hub team already based at the university’s SportPark. The partnership aims to leverage the university’s facilities to help grow the sport in line with Volleyball England’s The Game Plan strategy.
Charlie Ford, Chief Executive Officer, Volleyball England, said, “What was most appealing about the proposal Loughborough put to us is the university’s considerable ongoing investment into sport and facilities, in particular performance sport. The Loughborough campus hosts a whole host of facilities that vary in size and scope, which will give us real flexibility to cater for the specific events and camps we are hosting in a cost-effective manner.”
Watts Occurring? Crowd signs cycling world champions
Crowd Network has signed world champion cyclists Emma Finucane and Manon Lloyd to host a new show, Watts Occurring Femmes, ahead of the Tour de France Femmes.
Louise Gwilliam, Talent Manager at Crowd Network, said, “Having made strides in creating a network for women’s sports podcasting, branching into cycling is the next major step. Thanks to our listeners’ support and passion, we’ve been able to make this a reality. We’re thrilled to welcome Emma and Manon to Crowd.
Their experience at the highest level of cycling will provide our listeners with incredible insights into the sport they love, both through the show itself in Pinarello’s UK retailers and the community rides with ROUVY. These brands are investing and partnering authentically with female athletes on female-led content, and we challenge more brands to do the same.“
British football brand Mitre has unveiled its new FA Community Shield Ultimax Pro ball.
The bespoke, limited-edition football will be in use when Emirates FA Cup winners Crystal Palace go head-to-head with Premier League Champions Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 10th August.
Simon Rowe, SVP of Mitre & Global Sports Marketing at Pentland Brands, said, “Through our partnership with The FA Competitions we intend to keep bringing innovation and excitement to players and fans, and what an incredible way to launch the 2025/26 season but with the new FA Community Shield Ultimax Pro.
“This ball is packed with the innovative technology players have come to expect from the Ultimax Pro, and the new bespoke design is a brilliant celebration of all the things we love about the start of a new season. The hope, anticipation and excitement that we feel as both fans and players too.
“We can’t wait to start the season with a bang at Wembley Stadium’s iconic hallowed turf on 10th August.”
Sir Chris Hoy’s new charity cycling event, the Tour de 4, has named Science in Sport (SiS) as its official nutrition supplier.
The inaugural event, created by the SiS Ambassador following his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, aims to raise £1m for UK cancer charities. As part of the partnership, SiS will launch limited edition BETA Fuel Energy Gels, with 15% of proceeds being donated to the cause.
Sir Chris Hoy, said, I’m delighted to welcome SiS as an official supplier for our inaugural Tour de 4. It will be great to have their nutritional support on the day, and we are very grateful for the money they will be raising through the sale of products which will go towards our £1m fundraising goal.
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