Dozens of mobile apps from a single template
Several years ago, Liiga decided to expand strongly into the mobile world. Aro says that sports clubs often offer one common app that focuses on the league itself. In Finland, however, the idea was to focus on what’s most important to the fans – the teams. Liiga decided to create a common app platform on which clubs could build their own mobile apps as desired.
Liiga ‘smobile app was released in collaboration with Digia in March 2019. Since then, ten Liiga clubs have already released their own team-specific apps on the same platform.
“The platform was deliberately designed to be as flexible as possible, so as to leave room for creativity and enable the seamless provision of the club’s own or third-party services,” says Aro. This goal was achieved, and the app is being used in a broad spectrum of ways.
Some of the most popular functions include a variety of statistics, real-time match updates, compilations, and news. Aro says that their vision has been clear from the outset: to create a “second screen” to support the ice hockey experience, no matter where you’re watching the match.
“We want the mobile app to improve fans’ customer experience on both the bleachers and their sofas,” he says.
The app also plays another important role for Liiga’s clubs. It opens up a new, direct channel between the club and its supporters. The app can send push notifications that provide information about the team or its matches. Aro says that the mobile app is a strategically important communication channel for both Liiga and its clubs.