The world’s most iconic men’s professional basketball league, the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States, started experimenting with virtual reality (VR) technology several years ago in an attempt to enhance the viewing experience for spectators worldwide.
They partnered with tech company NextVR and developed the NextVR app and NBA AR App. The efforts to bring NBA games to the digital realm are said to significantly revolutionize fan engagement and massively benefit VR users, especially those who are unlikely ever to get a chance to travel to the US to watch live NBA games in person.
Let’s dive straight in and take a closer look at exactly how NBA chiefs are implementing this highly sophisticated technology and augmented reality (AR) to enable their fans to get closer to the action than ever.
How does VR enhance the NBA viewing experience for fans in the US and across the world?
Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies are completely revolutionizing the digital entertainment sector and improving the viewing experience of professional sports, gaming, movies & TV shows. The technology is also being used to enhance many other sectors.
Anyone who owns a wearable AR or VR device, such as the Apple Vision Pro, HTC Vive Pro 2, PSVR 2, Valve Index, HP Reverb G2, or Meta Quest 3, can experience far more immersive viewing because the technology provides a 360-degree perspective.
The very nature of this cutting-edge technology enables basketball fans to feel as though they are right there on the court amongst the action in such a unique way that no other technology can provide.
VR users have access to multiple camera angles, and they also benefit from several other innovative in-game viewing features, such as different player perspectives and instant replays, which regular viewers watching live from a television or via a sports streaming platform using a PC or mobile device don’t have access to.
In other words, they have unique access to what’s happening on the court that most other people will never get to experience, which makes games thoroughly more engaging and immersive. Additionally, VR tech enables players/athletes to train in a unique way.
For example, they can practice various simulated game scenarios to improve their decision-making abilities and their skills with the risks of injury that come with playing live games.
Some experts who closely follow the iGaming industry say that we are on the cusp of a VR revolution, meaning that sports bettors may soon be able to wager on the action as they watch it unfold from their VR device.
It would also take live dealer games to the next level of sophistication. For example, these same experts also believe that it won’t be long before people can bet on the intense battle in the Dragon vs Tiger game and win big on 10CRIC – India’s number one online sports betting and casino site.
What are the key aspects of virtual reality viewing in the NBA?
The use of VR and AR in the NBA and many other major professional sports is constantly on the rise, and the technology is always improving. It’s a great way to view live sports, and it will completely transform how fans watch their favourite sports and interact with their favourite teams.
The key aspects of VR in viewing sports are the following:
- Personalized viewing – VR/AR device users who download and install the NBA apps can choose from a wide range of camera angles, switch between different replays, and focus on specific players, which makes the overall experience far more personalized
- Athlete perspective – VR users can also experience the excitement of a game from the players’ perspective
- Immersive viewing experience – Using the latest VR devices to access this unique virtual reality experience makes it feel as though you are actually there on the NBA court. You can freely look around and witness the live action unfold from multiple angles
- Accessibility – the technology allows more people than ever to watch NBA matches, and this accessibility has also opened up the world for fans who may never get to watch these games in person due to where they live, physical disabilities or various other reasons
- Enhanced analysis – NBA players, fans, and coaches can also benefit greatly from the technology. For example, analysts and coaches can use VR to study more precisely player movements and see how tactics are working in much better detail from various angles
In short, the VR viewing experience that the NBA has been experimenting with has been a complete game-changer that has elevated the sport for so many viewers.
As the technology continues to advance and as teams look for new ways to gain a competitive advantage over their rivals, we will likely see the mass adoption of VR and AR technologies in basketball and many other professional sports disciplines.
For example, VR tech helps jockeys train in horse racing, plus it’s also now widely used in tennis, skiing, soccer/football, and golf.
The technology is still evolving, and when it reaches its true potential, it could end up becoming the preferred way to watch the NBA and many other professional sporting competitions across the world. We will just have to wait and see.
Final thoughts
If you don’t own a VR or AR device but still want to enjoy NBA action from your Smart TV, laptop, desktop computer, tablet or smartphone, the best thing to do is to watch the matches on legally permitted sports streaming platforms.
However, your viewing options may be fairly limited depending on where you live. Some of the safest sports streaming platforms to try first are ESPN, FOX, NBC, Roku, and Discovery+.
The 2025 NBA season is currently in full swing, so if you are looking to place real money wagers on any of the upcoming matches this season, remember to stick to betting on fully licensed and regulated iGaming sites controlled by reputable operators.
For example, if you live in India, your safest option in 2025 is the official 10Cric online sports betting and casino, which is free to join and well-known for having some of the most highly competitive NBA betting odds.
