UTT joins hands with Aatral as table tennis enters Metaverse to target fan engagement

UTT Season 4 will bring VR & AI based table tennis-themed mini-games for fans to explore for the first time!

Mumbai, June 20, 2023: Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) in a pathbreaking partnership with Aatral, one of the leading metaverse solutions companies in India, aims to revolutionise fan engagement by creating an immersive and interactive virtual experience for table tennis enthusiasts for the very first time. Aatral, renowned for its expertise in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) development, will collaborate with UTT as its official metaverse partner to create next level fan experience, engagement and establish the league’s prominent presence in the virtual world.

Recognising the immense potential of the gaming industry and its significance in India, UTT is committed to providing fans with innovative ways to connect with the sport. The partnership also signifies their shared commitment to innovation and fan-centric experiences.

“We know that sports has always been a powerful force that unites people from diverse backgrounds. Through this collaboration in the Metaverse, UTT and Aatral will offer fans a distinctive environment with a variety of gaming options and table tennis related experiences. These games will deliver an unprecedented degree of immersion by utilising VR, AR and mixed reality transporting players across borders,” UTT co-promoter Vita Dani commented.

Three to four table tennis-themed mini-games will be available to fans. Aatral will create a fan engaging environment in 3D space which will allow fans to download and play the application from Google Play Store, App Store and UTT website by the end of June 2023. These downloadable games will enhance the interactive capabilities of mobile devices to further increase fan involvement. Fans will be able to enjoy the thrill of table tennis not only during the league but anytime, anywhere with this portable gaming experience, giving the sport to connect the fans on their fingertips.

“We are thrilled to announce our association with the Ultimate Table Tennis team, the first of its kind in the metaverse for table tennis. At Aatral, we are committed to provide our users with immersive and interactive experiences that bridge the gap between the physical and virtual worlds. By partnering with UTT, we are enabling our users to enjoy the thrill of table tennis in a new and exciting way, as well as creating opportunities for social connection, learning, and entertainment. We are looking forward to be part of this ground breaking event in sports leagues in the country!” stated Aatral Founder and CEO, Prem Balachandran.

As part of this collaboration, UTT and Aatral will also set up experiential stalls across select venues to reach out to students, youth and table tennis fans, featuring interactive stations where fans can don VR/AR equipment and engage in the virtual table tennis matches like never before.

By embracing the multiverse environment, UTT aims to create a lasting impact on fan engagement, providing an unparalleled platform for fans to connect with their favourite sport and players in ways they have never imagined.

Promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the auspices of the Table Tennis Federation of India, UTT Season 4 will be played at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune from July 13 to 30. Bengaluru Smashers, Chennai Lions, Dabang Delhi TTC, Goa Challengers, Puneri Paltan Table Tennis and U Mumba TT are the six franchisees that will compete for the title with live action being broadcasted on Sports 18 and streamed on JioCinema.