Oculus to Stream Select World Cup Matches in VR for Free

One of the promises by companies like Oculus was the delivery of entertainment via virtual reality through their products like the Rift headset. With the World Cup 2018 looming over the horizon, fans can have the opportunity to watch four games through VR-simulated stadiums. That is to say, viewers can have a more immersive experience in watching matches compared to watching via TV. Best of all, it’s free.

The first match that will be streamed via VR will be the face-off on Sunday, June 17, between Mexico and Germany, Variety reports. While the free streams through the Oculus Rift, Go, and Gear VR will only total four matches, certain region-specific events will also be shown.

The other matches that will be made available are June 20 match between Portugal versus Morocco, the Brazil versus Costa Rica match on June 22, and the England versus Panama event, which is scheduled for June 24. Viewers can check out these matches using the Venues app that can be accessed via the Oculus VR headsets. Users can even make use of the voice chat and avatar functionality while watching the games.

For those who want to continue the VR experience, other companies and media brands are also offering the service, Engadget reports. These include Fox Sports VR and Telemundo Desportes VR. However, those particular services will need authentication and fees.

Watching events, matches, and even movies using VR has been growing in popularity of late due to how immersive the experience can be. While wearing headsets, viewers are basically shutting the rest of the world out, ensuring no distractions.

This can be particularly important for super fans of events like the World Cup, where the action can lead to unexpected results at any second. Through VR, viewers will be watching the players every step of the way as if they were in the stadium.