Fieldlab KNVB

The measures due to the corona virus have a major impact on professional football. For the first time in over a year, spectators can again be present at the World Cup qualifier between the Netherlands and Latvia on Saturday 27 March as part of a field lab study. The Close App allows 5,000 visitors to and from the Johan Cruijff ArenA to and from the Johan Cruijff ArenA safely and pleasantly. The KNVB uses the app for crowd control and direct communication with supporters. In addition, the Close App contributes to the research to evaluate the match and enable a return to the safe and responsible admission of spectators in stadiums in the future.

All fans who have bought a ticket for the international match between the Netherlands and Latvia will then download the Close App to complete the participation. The KNVB uses the app to communicate directly and personally about scheduling the tests, personal instructions about the bubbles, and the latest news. The Close App also contains information about parking, OnsOranje and photo filters with live scores. In addition, the Close App has news and exclusive images.

Gijs de Jong, secretary general of the KNVB and tournament director EURO 2020: “We think nothing is better than an exciting match in a swirling stadium, but safe and responsible. This Fieldlab experiment is a new step towards well-filled stadiums, but of course we cannot organise that alone. For this we need cooperation from partners such as the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, the municipality of Amsterdam, Fieldlab Events and Close. The Close App gives us the opportunity to communicate one-on-one with large groups of fans in real-time and hyper-personalised and provide them with the latest information. During NEC - De Graafschap and Almere City - Cambuur we gained our first experiences with the Close App in a smaller setting, at the Netherlands - Latvia we will experience how the Close App works at larger events.” Kiliaan Toorenaar, CEO Close App: “In collaboration with many parties, we are working hard to reopen the event industry, such as professional football. We see that visitors and organisers of test events attach great importance to the information they receive via the Close App. This makes it fun for everyone, but also responsible to come together again in large numbers.”

Fieldlab
‍Close is chosen by Fieldlab Evenementen as the communication and research platform between event organisations and visitors of all pilot events. Fieldlab Evenementen was established from the events sector in collaboration with the government. Fieldlab Events' goal is to develop validated building blocks as proof of the safe and reliable approach, in co-creation with companies, governments, science, interest groups and the public. To create confidence in the national government, to refine assessment frameworks and adjust the Corona roadmap. The Fieldlab Events program aims to differentiate different events (business and public) and situations (inside and outside, static or dynamic, etc.) and accelerate the return to full operation for events. With five thousand visitors, the Netherlands-Latvia match is the largest Fieldlab Event to date.