Innovative mobile app rewards environmentally conscious fans and encourages local businesses to participate.
Technology company Unbox and Indy Eleven, Indiana's professional soccer team, are excited to announce their pioneering partnership to implement the Unbox Litter project at the Indy Eleven sports venues. This collaboration aims to reduce litter, engage fans, and foster a culture of sustainability.
Unbox and Indy Eleven will launch the program on Saturday, July 1, in downtown Indianapolis, which will encompass the Eleven’s current men’s first team venue of IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium and the organization’s future home of Eleven Park. In addition, visitors to Westfield’s Grand Park Sports Campus – the official training home of Indy Eleven Professional Soccer, venue for women’s W League home games, and headquarters of Indy Eleven's Academy operations – will also be able to take advantage of this initiative effective July 1.
“This partnership with Unbox is a fantastic opportunity for Indy Eleven to take a leadership role in promoting environmental responsibility,” said Indy Eleven President & CEO Greg Stremlaw. “We believe in the power of sports to bring communities together, and by joining forces with Unbox Litter, we can make a positive difference for our fans and the environment.”
In addition to including Indy Eleven’s current and future footprints, the partnership will incorporate locations housing all of the Eleven’s Youth Soccer Program partners as well. This will help provide added benefits and opportunities to the recreational players and their families that are part of the clubs that are affiliated with Indy Eleven, via geo-fencing technology that will also incorporate their fields across the State of Indiana.
Geo-fencing refers to the ability for a program to create a virtual boundary, defined by GPS or RFID technology, that triggers a response when a mobile device enters a particular area. With location information, the mobile app will allow users to participate and earn rewards, while serving their community.
“We're proud to collaborate with Indy Eleven on this groundbreaking initiative,” commented Marc Ferlet, Head of USA at Unbox. “Their commitment to sustainability and community engagement aligns perfectly with our mission to create a cleaner, greener world. We're excited to see the impact this partnership will have on sports venues and fans alike.”
The Unbox Litter app has already achieved significant success in Belgium, the UK, Middle East, and Africa, with over 100,000 users worldwide. The partnership with Indy Eleven marks Unbox Litter's first implementation into the United States, targeting high-traffic sports venues to maximize its impact.
Indy Eleven will contribute to the prize pool giving away rewards such as signed jerseys and season tickets to the app’s top users. Local businesses are encouraged to participate by offering additional prizes and can sign up for more information on becoming a reward provider.
The project aims to target sports fans, local community members, and younger athletes, using gamification principles to raise awareness and drive user engagement.
Unbox and Indy Eleven are excited to collaborate on this innovative initiative and look forward to creating a cleaner environment for visitors, staff, and the community. This partnership is a significant step towards inspiring other sports venues and stakeholders to adopt environmentally responsible practices and contribute to a more sustainable future.
About Indy Eleven Professional Soccer
Since its launch in 2013, Indy Eleven’s dedication to its club and community has been driven by empowering a culture of excellence through its players and staff, staying true to its aim of fielding teams that represent the State of Indiana proudly on and off the field. The 2023 season will the 10th year playing men’s professional soccer and the team is currently playing in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship, a 24-team professional soccer league based across the United States. In May 2022, Indy Eleven’s franchise in the USL W League began play in the new women’s league and captured the Great Lakes Division title. Indy Eleven launched a youth development program that has grown to over 15,000 children via affiliated youth clubs across Indiana. They also have led the way in USL Academy youth play, led by its Boys U-19 Squad that won the inaugural 2021 USL Academy League national championship and the ’22 & ’23 USL Academy Cup. Learn more at indyeleven.com.