Want an easy way to follow your local soccer team? If you’re a fan of the Orange County Soccer Club, there’s an app for that.
Launched last weekend, the MyOCSC app allows supporters to buy tickets and team merchandise, and to view the game schedule and player bios. Fans can also earn loyalty points for attending and “checking in” to games, and redeem those points in the app for exclusive rewards.
The free app, developed by SuperFan and available for iOS and Android, is part of the team’s efforts to embrace sports technology and increase fan engagement. Supporters attending home matches can also use the app to take pictures and video that can be featured on their stadium’s video board.
“The app allows us to continue to build a first-class experience for our fans that will engage them even further at games and events throughout the year,” said Robert Alvarado, Orange County SC SVP of sales and marketing in a statement. “The best part is that it rewards our fans for supporting Orange County SC.”
SportTechie Takeaway
The MyOCSC app offering is a reflection of a mass-market trend on a local scale. Orange County Soccer Club competes in the United Soccer League, and is an affiliate of MLS ‘ Los Angeles FC. But this move speaks to the club’s desire to expand its fan base and reward loyalty, something every sports team thrives on.
While many other sports teams, both professional and collegiate, have long had apps available, they are constantly updating their digital offerings with new features to keep fans involved and interacting with the organization. For example, Ole Miss in 2016 added an augmented reality game to their Rebel Rewards app. Similarly, MLB’s Ballpark app offers users augmented reality experiences and team-by-team upgrades at the ballpark.