College Athletics Enters the AI-Powered Fan Engagement Era: Cincinnati Bearcats Lead with Unified Mobile Experience
The University of Cincinnati Athletics has launched a mobile app in partnership with WMT Digital that represents a fundamental shift in how college sports programs can engage with their fan communities. By becoming the first college athletics program to integrate professional-grade technology platforms, Cincinnati is demonstrating what's possible when athletic departments embrace comprehensive digital transformation.
The Bearcats' approach goes beyond traditional team apps, creating an interconnected ecosystem that delivers personalized, real-time experiences typically reserved for professional sports franchises. Read on to learn more about how strategic technology adoption can transform fan relationships and operational efficiency.
Pioneering the Path Forward in College Fan Engagement
Cincinnati has broken new ground by becoming the first college athletics program to integrate LAVA, the real-time engagement platform used by more than 50 professional sports teams across the NFL, NBA, NHL and beyond. This achievement positions the Bearcats at the forefront of college athletics innovation.
The LAVA integration allows Cincinnati's app to respond dynamically to individual fan behavior, delivering personalized offers, exclusive content, and engagement-based rewards in real-time.
Crafting a Comprehensive Digital Ecosystem
Cincinnati's strategy extends far beyond a single app launch. The mobile platform connects seamlessly with the recently redesigned GoBearcats.com website, creating a full-scale upgrade to Cincinnati's digital ecosystem.
Built on the foundation of the WMT Digital platform, Cincinnati's ecosystem features:
Streamlined Operations: Through direct Ticketmaster integration, fans can manage tickets and enter venues with ease, while season ticket members access exclusive benefits like 10 percent off concessions through the LAVA platform.
Year-Round Engagement: The app features contests through Fan Compass, including trivia, sweepstakes, and interactive experiences.
Unified Experience: Cincinnati has created a single touchpoint for content, ticketing, and community engagement.
Strategic Impact and Results
"This upgraded mobile app and our partnerships with Ticketmaster and LAVA, as well as Fan Compass, are all about putting our fans first," said DiFino. "From easier ticketing and fan contests to personalized content and exclusive game-day perks like discounted concessions, we're committed to delivering a best-in-class fan experience every time you engage with Bearcats Athletics."
Cincinnati's approach addresses critical challenges facing college athletics:
- Personalized Engagement: Moving beyond generic messaging to individualized fan experiences
- Operational Efficiency: Reducing friction in ticketing, venue access, and benefit redemption
- Community Building: Creating ongoing touchpoints that extend engagement beyond game days
- Data Intelligence: Leveraging real-time behavioral insights to improve fan satisfaction
The Technology Partnership Behind the Innovation
Cincinnati's transformation was powered by WMT Digital. The partnership demonstrates how the right technology provider can help college athletics programs access enterprise-level solutions. WMT's integration expertise enabled Cincinnati to seamlessly connect multiple best-in-class platforms—LAVA, Ticketmaster, and Fan Compass—into a unified experience.
"This project was about delivering a fully connected fan experience," said Andres Focil, CEO of WMT. "By integrating content, ticketing, and loyalty into one seamless experience, we've helped Cincinnati deliver on its vision for next-generation fan engagement. They are setting a new standard for what's possible in college athletics."
Read the full press release here.