Could a Fantasy Platform Make the Grand National More Engaging for Online Audiences?
The Grand National has appealed to spectators for over 185 years and has always managed to reach new generations of fans. Now, however, it’s contending with the digital age, in which many people discover sports online.
There are already various online activities surrounding the event such as quizzes and prediction games, but a centralised fantasy platform that offers users a way to compete with friends could be a huge draw for people seeking higher levels of engagement.
Source: Pixabay
Quizzes and Prediction Competitions Already Boost Engagement
Ever since the early days of the Grand National, people have been able to get involved with the race beyond just watching it. There’s a thriving betting industry for the race, with one third of adults in the UK wagering on the event each year. Choosing a winner in this way can give people a horse to root for, rather than having to watch the race passively.
There are other ways to get involved online beyond betting as well. For instance, the Jockey Club has interactive quizzes around the event, which give fans the chance to test their knowledge of horse racing and the iconic Aintree meeting. There are also various websites offering virtual racing experiences, such as the Virtual Grand National.
It could be argued, though, that there should be an official platform for the Grand National that’s easily accessible. Through this, there could be quizzes and games, along with special promotions to encourage people to get involved.
It could take inspiration from casino bonus offers, which often feature prize draws, competitions, and challenges offering participants the chance to win rewards. The chance to win something could encourage more people to get involved. There’s already an Aintree Racecourse app, but this is primarily used for race information and event tickets. There’s an opportunity to expand it into something so much more.
Source: Pixabay
Advanced Fantasy Platforms Could Attract More Players
One of the best options to get more people involved in the Grand National could be to develop an advanced fantasy platform that allows people to make predictions and compete in leagues. It could incorporate other races at Aintree as well to turn the whole festival into a gamified experience.
This could take inspiration from other platforms such as Fantasy Premier League. The official Premier League fantasy game has become hugely popular in recent years, and there are now more than 11 million players. The great thing about this is that it allows people to compete with others all over the world online, but it also has an option to create mini-leagues with friends.
A Grand National fantasy game could allow users to select several horses before the meeting begins. They could get points for finishing positions, performances, or other achievements throughout the event, such as clean jumps. This would give people more things to think about, rather than just betting on one or two horses to win.
With fantasy sports apps booming in popularity, it feels like the ideal time for an official fantasy Grand National game. This could be an excellent way to involve more people who want to make predictions but don’t want to bet money.