The Universal Fan Fest initiative is a part of Japan's bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals.
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Japan has pledged that if it is granted the rights to host the 2022 World Cup games, it will develop technology enabling it to provide a live international telecast of the event in 3D, which would allow 400 stadiums in 208 countries to provide 360 million people with real-time 3D coverage of the games projected on giant screens, captured in 360 degrees by 200 HD cameras. Furthermore, Japan will broadcast the games in holographic format if the technology to do so is available by that time. Beyond allowing the world's spectators to view the games on flat screens projecting 3D imaging, holographic projection would project the games onto stadium fields, creating a greater illusion of actually being in the presence of the players.[1] Microphones embedded below the playing surface would record all sounds, such as ball kicks, in order to add to the sense of realism.[2][3]
Japan's bidding team has enlisted pioneering technology scientist Jun Murai of Keio University in their plans to host the games. The country demonstrated holographic display technology at the 2009 NAB Show using integral cameras (sometimes referred to as 8K) and wavefront reconstruction,[4] and Murai has stated that Japan could develop the means for the necessary technologies to be realized by 2016. Murai and committee managing director Takato Maruyama have stated they are confident that the endeavor is feasible.[5] The event would be co-organized with South Korea. [4]
In addition to projection, "translation earpieces" would be available which would allow fans of different nations to converse with each other. Devices would also be available which would allow people to instantly capture information about players by pointing at them.[5]
The events would be powered in part by attendees, via equipment which would harvest energy created by the stomps of their feet. It would also obtain energy from solar arrays.[1][3]
If Japan is granted the rights to the games, providing it with the initiative to realize the proposed technologies, it could drive private companies to develop them as well, in order to stay in competition in the industry, resulting in accelerated development of the medium.[1] Maruyama believes that with the advent of such technologies, public viewings at stadiums would increase attendance there by several ten-fold.[2]
"208 Smiles" Japan 2022 Bid Committee Channel on Youtube
Video: "World Cup, the Next Generation" Concept Video of Japan's Bid