NBA basketball and Meta create new VR experience on Horizon Worlds

Basketball’s NBA and Meta have announced a multiyear partnership that will feature a new virtual reality experience for fans through Meta Horizon Worlds via Meta Quest, the official VR headset of the NBA and WNBA. The NBA Arena in Horizon Worlds will feature live NBA League Pass games in virtual reality throughout the season. The partnership extension will also include the launch of NBA-licensed apparel in the Meta Avatars Store and authenticated NBA League Pass access in Xtadium, a VR sports hub app that offers shared watching experiences in high-definition.

Jennifer Chun

Jennifer Chun, NBA EVP and head of content partnerships, said: “Our extended partnership with Meta will provide more immersive and innovative ways to experience the NBA. Meta’s digital world opens up exciting possibilities for NBA fans to virtually attend our games and to interact with other fans around the world.”

Meta director of sports media and league partnerships Rob Shaw added: “Meta’s VR technology is opening up new opportunities for sports fans to engage with NBA teams. The NBA is always pushing us to innovate and leverage the latest technology to open the door to new fan experiences, and this chapter of our partnership achieves that.”

The NBA and Meta will bring 52 live NBA League Pass games, including five immersive 180-degree monoscopic live VR games in 2880 resolution, to NBA Arena in Horizon Worlds.  Fans can visit the NBA Arena to watch NBA content with friends, compete in interactive mini-games and cheer on their favourite teams. The NBA deal follows a similar partnership that Meta recently entered with MMA franchise UFC.