Manchester United has announced a global partnership with IT services company HCL Technologies.
Club officials says they will work together with India-based HCL to explore and unveil a number of digital initiatives to transform the experience of the club’s 659 million global followers.
As the first step, HCL will create a state-of-the-art United Xperience Lab to be housed within the iconic Old Trafford stadium, which will make it the seventh such lab across the world.
Within the lab, HCL and Manchester United will explore revolutionary ways in which the club uses technology to create a unified fan experience for supporters; and in the process set a new engagement benchmark in the world of sport.
United’s group managing director Richard Arnold said: “Our partnership with HCL is a first for Manchester United. With the introduction of the United Xperience lab at Old Trafford, we hope to demonstrate best practices within the industry to generate new ideas that leverage the latest technology available in the evolving digital landscape.
“It is a very exciting prospect and the possibilities of what we can achieve are endless. Through digital transformation we hope to change the way in which our fans experience and interact with Manchester United.
“Together with HCL we aim to develop innovative ways to connect with our fans around the world, providing a blueprint for other global organisations.”
Anant Gupta, president and chief executive of HCL said: “This partnership is unique and creates value not just for Manchester United and its fans, but also for all forward-looking organisations across the world.
“With enterprises facing an explosion of digital content and experience interfaces, there is a growing need for a partner who can orchestrate these value chains and harness them for business benefits.”