Revolutionary vision enhancement technology for fans with sight loss launched at Crystal Palace in world football first

* First football club in the world to permanently implement the technology *

* Innovative GiveVision headsets designed for fans with low vision *

* Headsets use a private 5G network deployed by Shared Access at Selhurst Park *

* Setting a new accessibility standard for sporting venues worldwide *

On Saturday 21st September, Crystal Palace FC, in partnership with GiveVision and Shared Access, became the first football club in English and world history to offer a permanent revolutionary vision enhancement system at their stadium for fans with sight impairments.

Seven visually impaired football fans around Selhurst Park used this ground-breaking technology during the Crystal Palace vs Manchester United match. The GiveVision headset, powered by a state-of-the-art private 5G network designed and installed by Shared Access, streamed the live match footage directly to the fans in real time. This cutting-edge system delivers an immersive, sharp stereoscopic feed to the working part of the user’s retina, enhancing remaining vision and enabling fans to follow the game in unprecedented detail.

Steve Parish, Crystal Palace Chairman: “We’ve committed to this technology because we want everybody to come and enjoy the games. This is another step forward on accessibility but we don’t want to be the only people doing this. We’re just showcasing the technology from Shared Access and GiveVision and if that encourages other Premier League clubs and indeed clubs throughout the football pyramid to take up the technology and give visually impaired fans a way of enjoying the game live in the stadium, then it’d be fantastic for us.”

Michael Owen, ex Liverpool and England star whose son, James, has Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition: “It’s great to see this sort of technology being introduced at Premier League games to help visually impaired fans enjoy the game. What GiveVision and Shared Access are doing to increase accessibility and help fans see the game they love is incredible. Hopefully more clubs follow.”

Five of the GiveVision seven headset users at Selhurst Park on Saturday shared their matchday experiences:

Phil Green, 63yrs from Biggin Hill, visually impaired season ticket holder: “It’s been brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. With my eyesight the way it is, the headset has totally enabled me to come back and watch Palace play which we’ve been doing for years. So this is giving us just that opportunity again. It’s been brilliant and I’m so grateful to GiveVision.”

Susan Vernon, 79yrs from Dulwich, visually impaired season ticket holder & Crystal Palace supporter since 1969: “The GiveVision headset changed my whole match day experience dramatically. With it, I can see the people who score. I can see the expression on their faces. I can see the expressions of all the players, what’s happening. I can see who’s kicking who or holding a person back. It totally changes the experience. You just see everything. It’s just wonderful.”

Dr Paul Harper, 61yrs from Croydon, visually impaired & Crystal Palace fan for over 45 years:  “This was the first time I’ve worn this headset and it’s actually really amazing to be able to zoom in to see the players and also have the TV option. Sitting here as a visually impaired person, it’s a blur and it’s difficult to follow things. It’s really great to be amongst the fans, amongst the atmosphere. The accessibility area is nice. But it’s even better to be amongst the crowd and more inclusive.”

Stephen Anderson, 33yrs from Harrow, visually impaired, football fan for 22 years: “It really has changed my experience in terms of coming to football matches. I absolutely love the GiveVision headset. Even a couple of years ago, you would never have imagined me doing this. I’m able to see the fouls, the goals, the penalties, the free kicks, the yellow cards. And I’m also able to hold the referee in the same level of contempt as everybody else! I think equality is the main point here.”

Kevin Middleton, 65yrs from south east London, visually impaired & Crystal Palace supporter since 1969: “It makes such a difference to be able to see the game rather than just hear it. I want to be at the ground because of the atmosphere and the GiveVision headset has completely changed the way I can enjoy a match now. It’s brought me right up into the game as if I haven’t got any issues at all really – it’s made that much difference to me. It’s really brilliant!”

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle: “This is a great innovation allowing visually impaired people to more fully enjoy sport, which is why I am so proud to support this government-backed project. Since day one in office, I have committed to fostering technological advancement that not only innovates, but also helps us live better lives. This partnership is the perfect example of how we are ensuring the benefits of technology are felt in every area of people’s lives across the UK, from the GP practice to the football pitch.”

Sam Jackman, Chief Development Officer, Shared Access: “We’ve been working with Crystal Palace for over five years, so when they approached us to help them find a way to deploy such an incredible piece of technology as GiveVision across their stadium to help their fans we leapt at the chance. Private 5G networks are in their infancy, but having partners like Crystal Palace to stimulate and challenge the role of technology inside sport is the best way to innovate in this area.”

Joanna Liddington, Head of Operations, GiveVision: “At GiveVision, we are incredibly proud to partner with Shared Access and Crystal Palace FC, the first football club in the world to permanently implement our innovative headsets for fans with low vision. This ground-breaking step not only highlights the club’s commitment to inclusivity but also showcases the transformative potential of assistive technology in sports. Thanks to the 5G network provided by Shared Access, Palace fans with low vision can now enjoy the game in real-time, from any seat in the stadium, alongside their friends and family.

“Our goal is to make sure football is an equal playing field for all, creating a more inclusive and immersive experience for every supporter.”

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Clare Haylett, YOU Agency
E: clare@you-agency.com
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