Almost all Bayern fans in Bavaria, Germany and throughout the world have internet access, and many follow the German record champions via online channels. The digital world is expanding very rapidly and is becoming increasingly important both on and off the pitch. And who knows best what to expect from FC Bayern tomorrow and in the future? The fans! FC Bayern is staging the FC Bayern HackDays, which started on Friday, at the Allianz Arena.
"I'm delighted to initiate the first hackathon in our club's near 118-year history," said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in his address at the Säbener Lounge. "The FC Bayern HackDays are of great strategic importance to us. They mark the start of our efforts to set a global benchmark regarding the digitalisation of a football club."
220 people from more than 40 countries are participating in the HackDays. The German record champions received more than 1,300 applications - "in a minimum amount of time," according to Rummenigge: "We're staging this hackathon to get inspiration, ideas and suggestions regarding how to use new technologies in the modern world." The event will also generate "new experiences and services" for the fans in Bavaria and throughout the world, according to the chairman.
Valuable impulses from outside
HackDays or hackathons are events in which experts from various disciplines work in teams on technical or design problems and collaborate to develop innovative and creative software, build prototypes and develop new ideas and approaches. "We're eager to see what the teams come up with together," said Rummenigge.
Hackathons are staged on a regular basis in many companies, and also in the NBA and the NFL. Companies open up and receive new and valuable impulses from outside. FC Bayern too want to break new ground along with partners Telekom, adidas, Audi, SAP, Siemens and DHL. The UnternehmerTUM centre for innovation is helping organise the event and contributing its expertise. Rummenigge thanked the centre for their support.
Participants will take on a total of seven challenges in teams of three to four. Subjects will include personalised fan experiences, data analysis, virtual reality, augmented reality, global fan networking and innovative services. The results will be presented in the individual groups and in front of a jury on Monday, and the best teams will be honoured. The prize for the top team will be a trip to one of FC Bayern's Champions League away matches. In addition, FC Bayern aim to further support the best ideas and approaches.