MeetKai creates virtual fan experience for Detroit Pistons

MeetKai and the Detroit Pistons announced they are launching their Detroit Pistons World, a new virtual fan experience allowing Pistons fans to connect with the team in an online space.

This partnership, which was first announced earlier this year, follows on MeetKai’s previous immersive experience for the Charlotte Hornets‘ virtual fan store, launched in October 2023.

The new Pistons experience offers a wider array of activities beyond virtual shopping which was the focus of the Hornets experience. But like the Hornets experience, MeetKai’s Detroit Pistons World is web-based and doesn’t require a download.

Powered by MeetKai’s digital twin technology, fans can step into an immersive environment that transports them directly into an exact digital replica of the Pistons’ home court at Little Caesars Arena in Michigan.

It’s designed to make you feel as though you’re an active participant in the game. There, visitors will be cheered on by fans as they compete in a mini-game where they’ll test their skills with a t-shirt cannon, aiming to hit targets and win exciting prizes. The arena will also serve as a hub for future sponsorships, offering fans an opportunity to engage with brands in new and innovative ways.

“We are incredibly excited to bring this immersive virtual experience to life in collaboration with the Pistons,” said James Kaplan, CCEO of MeetKai, in a statement. “With a vision to bring fans closer to the game, this collaboration marks a transformative step in how sports teams engage with their global fanbase, blending the physical and digital worlds in a way that has never been done before.”

The Detroit Pistons world also has a new locker room feature, which will offer an exclusive digital tour of the Pistons’ locker room, complete with new content updated weekly. This area of Detroit Pistons World  opens the opportunity to execute future virtual meet-and-greets with Pistons players, allowing fans to interact directly with their favorite athletes through an exciting new “Ask Me a Question” feature.

“At the Pistons, we’re focused on staying at the forefront of innovation and investing in the technologies that are reshaping the future of the game and sports fan engagement,” said Adam Falkson, vice president, of business intelligence of the Detroit Pistons, in a statement. “Debuting this experience is a testament to our commitment to bringing Pistons fans closer to the action, no matter where they are, and we look forward to seeing how our partnership with MeetKai evolves and elevates how our beloved fans interact with us.”

The world will also feature a virtual fan marketplace, where fans can visit a digital recreation of the in-person Pistons Team Store at Little Caesars Arena and shop for a wide range of official merchandise. From jerseys, hats and accessories to exclusive drops and digital collectibles the virtual world will offer visitors a unique shopping experience, allowing them to “try on” merchandise from anywhere in the world before making a purchase.

In addition, MeetKai’s signature avatar customization technology will be deployed to enable fans to easily create their own personalized avatars by simply uploading three selfies. MeetKai’s advanced AI automatically generates an avatar’s face, and users can then further customize their avatars’ body types, hair, accessories and clothing.

With an array of Pistons-themed clothing options, fans can dress their avatars in everything from team jerseys to exclusive virtual merchandise, making it a personalized experience.

“MeetKai’s alliance with the Detroit Pistons underscores the company’s growing role as a strategic partner in the sports industry,” said Kevin Bresnahan, vice president of business development. “We’re proud to be the go-to technology platform for NBA teams and beyond to build engaging virtual experiences for fans. This is just the beginning of an exciting new era of fan engagement, and we can’t wait to see how they embrace it.”