A small group of blind and visually impaired fans will experience the Super Bowl with a Super Bowl tactile device that reflects the position of the ball through touch. The tablet also provides vibration cues for important moments, so big performances don’t blend in with the noise of the audience.
The NFL is partnering with OneCourt and Ticketmaster to bring the setup to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, when Seattle plays New England on February 8. About 10 attendees are expected to use the device in their seats and broadcast a live broadcast from Westwood One via headphones.
The timing is the difference. If you’ve ever followed a game with lag on audio, you know how quickly the moment can pass.
The field comes to life in your hands
The OneCourt device is about the size of a thick iPad and features raised lines that outline a football field. With both hands on the court, fans can feel the ball moving up, drifting toward the sideline, or swinging back the other way.
Vibration patterns add another layer. Different pulses signal different events, allowing the device to alert you to a change before anyone nearby has to explain it.
The NFL has conducted the experience 15 times during the regular season at Seahawks, Jaguars, 49ers, Falcons and Vikings games. Making it to the Super Bowl is the loudest test yet.
Touch alone doesn’t solve everything. The tablet is paired with live audio, so what you feel matches what you hear, rather than being delayed by a stream or delayed broadcast.
Where this leads after the Super Bowl
OneCourt is already working beyond football. The company has partnered with NBA and Major League Baseball teams to offer devices at games and is currently in discussions to bring the approach to the NHL and other leagues.
The Super Bowl rollout is still limited, and details like how fans will request a device or how far it can be scaled are not detailed here. The next thing to look out for is whether it will pop up in more stadiums next season, with access that feels as routine as any other accommodation.
