LaLiga could use artificial crowd noise and digital fans even when supporters

LaLiga say trials with pre-recorded crowd noise and virtually-filled stands to help viewers forget they are watching games in empty stadiums have been so popular that they could even keep using them after supporters have been gradually allowed back into stadiums.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has indicated that he would like stadiums back with reduced capacity as soon as possible. 

Asked if crowd noise and overlaid graphics of supporters could be used to augment the diminished noise levels and sparsely filled stands – at least until stadiums are full once more – LaLiga head of communications Joris Evers said: ‘I would say yes.

LaLiga say trials with pre-recorded crowd noise and virtually-filled stands have been a success

‘The idea is for this technology to be complementary to what is actually in the stadium.’

LaLiga has pioneered the extensive use of pre-recorded crowd noise with ‘DJs’ in commentary boxes inside stadiums mixing cheers for goals, and groans for near-misses as and when the action on the pitch demands.

‘The response has been overwhelmingly positive,’ said Evers. ‘In Spain viewers can choose between the original audio and video and the EA Sports crowd noise and virtually filled stands, and if you follow the audience numbers you’ll see that the virtualised channel is getting the vast majority of audience share.

‘It’s a big responsibility because millions of people watch LaLiga around the world in more than 180 countries,’ added Evers. ‘We want real fans to be back in the stadiums as soon as possible but while they can’t be there, we wanted to make the viewing experience better by filling the empty space.

Javier Tebas would like stadiums back with reduced capacity as soon as possible

Evers explained to Sportsmail: ‘The sounds are divided into categories. We’ve got a channel playing a very neutral crowd sound to fill the empty space and a second channel playing a noise that recreates the anticipation sound that crowds make when they feel something is about to happen. This is manually operated; basically it has to follow the feeling of danger of a goal being scored.

‘Then there are several different channels, also manually operated, that deal with the various ways the ‘danger’ gets resolved. This is when the operator must play the appropriate sound reaction to mimic the way a crowd would respond.

‘This is maybe the most important part of the project when it comes to giving the audience the feeling they are watching a game played…