Due to the swine flu epidemic, Estadio Azteca (Aztec Stadium) in Mexico City, was forced to ban soccer fans from witnessing the world's most popular spectator sport.
A decision was made by the Mexican Football Federation to ban 176 total matches this week in an effort to curb the spread of this infection.
Soccer wasn't the only sport whose fans were deprived of live action, as a Central American Youth Basketball tournament was also canceled.
Implications - Sports and an athletic lifestyle are extremely important lifestyles for millions of people around the world. Businesses would benefit from incorporating sports into their products, advertising campaigns and services in any way possible due to the immense levels of popularity of competitive sports across the globe.
Spectator Banning
Swine Flu Exiles Fans from Pro Soccer in Mexico
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Sports Events - With the rise of remote work, there is an opportunity to develop virtual sports events for fans to attend in lieu of physical attendance at stadiums.
2. Live Streaming Services - Live streaming services have the potential for growth as a result of increased demand for access to live sports events while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
3. Health Tech in Sports - The swine flu epidemic highlights the importance of health technology in sports, and presents an opportunity for businesses to develop innovative health technology solutions to keep both athletes and spectators safe.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Apparel Industry - The sports apparel industry can create innovative product lines featuring protective gear to keep athletes and fans safe from contagious diseases.
2. Virtual Event Industry - The virtual event industry could capture a new market by developing immersive experiences where sports fans can connect during live games.
3. Health Tech Industry - The health tech industry has an opportunity to develop innovative ways to detect and prevent contagious diseases in sports settings.