A festival of sports, inclusion and sustainability at Tokyo Dome

This article was originally published on syncSPORTS by Rakuten and translated into English.

On a recent evening in Tokyo, baseball fans gathered for a summer celebration of sports: the Rakuten Super Baseball Game. Spectators were treated to more than a thrilling game between the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, as Tokyo Dome transformed into a hub of diverse athletic activities and interactive experiences.

Beyond baseball: Tech meets sports

While the Rakuten Eagles' game was undoubtedly the main attraction, the event organizers also created a vibrant festival atmosphere with a variety of athletic activities and interactive experiences. Special booths around the stadium allowed visitors to engage in numerous sports activities.

One of the most engaging features was the Sports Challenge Booth, where visitors could interact with large screens displaying soccer and baseball footage, allowing them to hit, throw or kick virtual balls. These moments were captured by cameras, automatically generating headlines to create personalized newspaper articles for fans to enjoy.

The event placed a strong emphasis on inclusivity, particularly evident in the tandem cycling activity. This game allowed pairs of participants to ride a tandem bicycle, working together to catch falling mascots of various Rakuten sports teams. The bicycles were designed to be pedaled by hand as well, ensuring accessibility for children and individuals with mobility challenges.

Interactive engagement, athlete messages and inclusive entertainment

To encourage participation in the various activities, the organizers implemented a clever reward system. Visitors who engaged with different Rakuten Group initiatives throughout the stadium could collect player cards in red, blue and green. Those who managed to gather all three colors became eligible for a lucky draw, with prizes including player-autographed merchandise.

One thought-provoking experience was the My Better Future Card Booth. Here, attendees could select keywords they believed were crucial for a better future using a touch panel. An AI system then generated background images based on these choices to create a photo opportunity, encouraging reflection on sustainable societies and the future of sports.

Elsewhere, an Athlete Message Board highlighted personal messages from players of the Rakuten Eagles, Vissel Kobe, and other athletes associated with Rakuten Sports. Following the theme "My better future is…," these athletes shared thoughts on how sports can contribute to creating a better future for people and society.

Before the game, fans were treated to a live performance and ceremonial pitch from popular rock band Sambomaster, who electrified the crowd with a performance of their hit Dekikkonai wo Yaranakucha (We Must Do the Impossible).

The performance featured a diverse collaboration between dancers from SOCIAL WORKEEERZ (an organization promoting inclusive dance), the Tohoku Golden Angels (Rakuten Eagles' official cheerleaders), Vissel Sereia (Vissel Kobe's support unit), and the Rakuten Girls (cheerleaders from Taiwan's Rakuten Monkeys).

Sports for a better future

Rakuten Sports - the business unit driving the event - had two primary visions they hoped to communicate: Sports for Everyone - creating an environment where anyone can enjoy sports in their own way, and A Greener Future - implementing climate change measures and resource circulation to maintain a rich environment for future sports enjoyment.

While these initiatives are still in their early stages, the enthusiasm displayed by fans at the Rakuten Super Baseball Game event suggests a promising step towards a brighter, more inclusive and sustainable future in sports.

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