League: A new way to watch the Warriors

Warriors fans and supporters in the crowd. Photo / Photosport

The experience of watching the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium will be significantly different on Friday night, thanks to revolutionary technology being employed for the first time in Australasia.

Warriors' fans in the grandstand will be able watch replays - from multiple camera angles - on their phones, as well as live action, thanks to an app developed by major sponsors Vodafone in conjunction with Sky Television.

Supporters in the stands who are curious about a passage of play will be able to rewind any of eight camera angles back by 30 seconds to watch a replay.

The technology has been developed over the last two years, and there was a 'soft' launch at the Warriors' last home game against the Panthers.

Fans are able to download the new Stadium Live for Vodafone Warriors App now, ahead of Friday's game against the Sharks, though the video technology is only available for fans once they are in the stadium.

The innovation may be scoffed at by traditionalists, but a new generation of fans are used to monitoring their phones while watching live sport.

"We have a pretty big vision for the technology," said Vodafone CEO Russell Stanners. "From our perspective, we look at sports events as smartphone festivals. People have always got their smartphones with them. If we can find ways to help them engage with their phones to create a better experience, then the possibilities are endless."

Stanners added that similar technology has been used in the NFL, but hadn't been used in this part of the world untll the recent British Lions series with the All Blacks.

Warriors managing director Jim Doyle expects the app to be developed significantly by next season. He gave an example of fans being able to order drinks and food via their phones, then receiving a message when it was ready. Doyle also said that season tickets would be activated via the app in the future.

Aside from the game action, the app also offers player profiles and statistics, draw information, merchandise options and links to the Warriors social media pages.