Audience participation takes the excitement of live sports up a notch, turning spectators into active contributors through polls, surveys, and contests. These activities keep fans energized throughout the game while giving event organizers valuable real-time customer feedback.
But how do you gather input from a stadium of fans without slowing things down? QR Codes are your MVP. By linking surveys or polls to QR Codes, you can connect with thousands of people in a matter of seconds. It’s a straightforward, scalable solution you can rely on game after game.
From designing engaging surveys to analyzing real-time results, here’s everything you need to know about using QR Codes for surveys to elevate fan participation.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
What makes QR Codes effective for in-game surveys and polls
QR Codes may be small, but they pack a punch when it comes to connecting entire audiences to online surveys and polls. By simply scanning the code with their mobile device’s camera, fans can access your linked content in seconds.
Here’s why QR Codes for surveys are so effective for engaging crowds at live sporting events:
Enhances fan engagement
Interactive elements give fans a chance to actively participate. Whether they’re first-timers or loyal season ticket holders, fans can cast their votes for their favorite players or predict game outcomes through a quick QR Code poll. These activities make the event more dynamic and show fans that their opinions truly matter.
With 204.9 million sports travelers recorded in the U.S. in 2023—a record high—the potential for fan engagement at live events has never been greater. QR Code-powered activities give organizers a scalable way to tap into this enthusiastic audience.
Collects actionable feedback
QR Codes make it easy to distribute customer satisfaction surveys and collect feedback in real time as the game unfolds. Use these insights to uncover fan preferences and pinpoint areas for improvement at future events.
For example, you might ask fans about their experiences with concessions, parking, or stadium facilities—survey responses that can help you fine-tune game-day logistics.
Drives participation during downtime
Downtime at live games—like halftime or between innings—offers the perfect opportunity to keep fans entertained. QR Code-powered activities, such as trivia contests, scavenger hunts, or even augmented reality challenges, spark excitement and encourage interaction.
QR Codes for sports AR experiences can immerse fans in interactive game-themed environments, adding a high-tech twist to their downtime fun. Offering prizes for participation, like free merchandise or concessions discounts, can amplify the fun and involvement.
Builds sponsorship opportunities
Sponsors can leverage branded surveys or polls to connect with fans while promoting their products and services. For example, a beverage company might run a quick poll on favorite flavors, giving fans who participate the opportunity to win free drink vouchers.
By integrating social media into the mix—such as requiring fans to follow the sponsor or share their poll response online—brands can further amplify their reach and build connections with the audience in creative, engaging ways.
Examples of ways to use QR Codes for surveys or polls during games
When it comes to audience engagement, QR Codes are a slam dunk. From unique surveys and polls to interactive games, they keep fans entertained and involved, from pregame warm-ups to the final whistle. Here are a few creative ways you can implement QR Codes at your next sporting event.
Halftime fan opinion polls
Halftime is an ideal time to conduct surveys or polls since fans aren’t focused on watching the action. QR Code polls can gather input on topics like favorite game-day snacks or music preferences.
Many people enjoy the novelty of sharing their opinions and seeing how others voted. Around 26% of diehard sports fans are motivated by excitement and 19% by a sense of social belonging. Halftime opinion polls tap into both motivations and keep the energy alive during breaks. You can even display the poll results on the big screen or other arena signage as halftime wraps up.
Predictive game-play polls
Speculating about game outcomes is a great way to spark conversation and encourage friendly competition. Predictive polls let fans weigh in on questions like, “Will the quarterback go for a long pass or a short run?” or “Which player will break the scoring drought first?”
Offering fun prizes or discounts for correct guesses adds extra excitement and gives audience members an incentive to participate. These polls can turn ordinary moments into memorable, interactive ones.
Audience participation contests
A cheering crowd stimulates the home team and creates an electrifying atmosphere. QR Code contests can help get the entire stadium involved, even during slow points in the game.
Host a “loudest section” contest and offer rewards like discounts on concessions or exclusive team merchandise. Fans in the winning section can scan a QR Code image displayed on the big screen or on nearby signs to claim their prizes, inviting even more participation.
Post-game feedback surveys
Gathering detailed feedback after a game is essential for planning future events. Strategically placing QR Codes around the stadium—near the exits, concessions stands, and even outside restrooms—gives fans a convenient way to share their thoughts through an online questionnaire before heading home.
To boost response rates, consider offering incentives like giveaway entries or discounts on future tickets. Monetary incentives are often the most effective way to encourage survey participation.
Voting for player recognition
QR Code polls are an entertaining way for fans to celebrate their favorite players. Let the audience vote for awards like MVP, Fan Favorite, or Best New Athlete throughout the season.
This use case not only strengthens the bond between players and fans but also gives players a morale boost when their efforts are recognized publicly. Displaying real-time voting results on arena screens adds to the excitement and fosters a deeper connection with the team.
How to implement QR Codes for live audience interaction
Creating QR Code surveys and polls for your next big game is simpler than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:
1. Design effective polls and surveys
When designing polls and surveys for live sporting events, keep in mind that they should be short and simple. Fans are there to enjoy the game, socialize, and grab snacks—not fill out lengthy questionnaires.
If the survey is too long or complicated, it could feel like an unwanted distraction or overwhelm respondents, making them less likely to finish it. Ideally, surveys should take no more than 10-14 minutes to complete, and polls should only take a few moments.
Survey platforms like Typeform, Qualtrics, and SurveyMonkey make it easy to create professional, visually appealing questionnaires that align with your branding. They have a variety of templates, with options for multiple-choice and open-ended questions.
For simpler polls with just a few questions, you can use a Google Form. If you’re wondering how to make a QR Code for a Google Form, it’s as simple as copying the form’s web link and using a QR Code generator like Bitly to create a scannable code.
2. Use Dynamic QR Codes for flexibility
Once your survey is ready, you can generate a custom Dynamic QR Code using Bitly Codes. Dynamic QR Codes are editable, which means you can update the linked content without having to create an entirely new QR Code or reprint your marketing materials. This allows you to use the same QR Code throughout the season while changing the surveys for each game.
Bitly also offers customization options, like adding your team’s colors or logo for cohesive branding. To elevate the customer experience further, you can also create a branded landing page for surveys and polls using Bitly Pages.
3. Optimize QR Code placement
Location is everything when it comes to QR Code placement. Think about areas where fans are likely to notice and scan them. Ideal spots include:
- Seatbacks or armrests
- Signage near entrances or exits
- Printed programs or tickets
- Concession stands or product packaging
- Digital displays
Ensure the size of the barcode is appropriate for each medium. If it’s too large or too small, customers won’t be able to scan effectively with their smartphone cameras or QR Code reader apps.
4. Integrate with real-time analytics tools
One of the key advantages of QR Codes is the ability to track engagement in real time. With Bitly Analytics, you can monitor metrics like the number of scans, when they happen, and the devices fans use, giving you immediate insights during the game.
This information helps you pinpoint peak engagement times, such as halftime or key moments in the game, to understand what captures the audience’s attention most effectively.
It also allows you to adjust your strategy on the fly—for example, promoting underperforming polls more prominently on the big screen or social media to boost participation. Real-time tracking ensures you’re always one step ahead in maximizing fan interaction.
For deeper analysis, integration with tools like Google Analytics can help you track behaviors beyond the scan—such as time spent on your survey landing page or completion rates. If fans drop off mid-survey, you can adjust questions to optimize for future events. This real-time data ensures your strategy stays relevant and effective, delivering actionable insights you can use immediately.
5. Promote QR Code usage effectively
Don’t just post your QR Codes and hope for the best—let your audience know they’re there and what they’re for. Clear, engaging calls to action (CTAs) make all the difference. Instead of simply saying “Scan Me,” use engaging messaging like “Vote for Your Favorite Player!” or “Take Our Halftime Poll!” to communicate the purpose of the code.
Announcements over the stadium speaker system or on digital displays can also guide fans on how to participate. You might pair the code with instructions like, “Point your phone’s camera at the QR Code to share your feedback in just 30 seconds.”
You can extend the promotion to social media before the game, letting fans know to look for QR Codes linking to exclusive polls or surveys at the stadium. This builds anticipation and increases awareness of the interactive elements they’ll encounter.
Elevate fan engagement with QR Codes at your next sports event
In-game polls and surveys aren’t just a fun way to engage fans—they’re an effective tool for collecting real-time feedback and creating a more interactive game-day atmosphere. The insights you gain can help shape future events, ensuring your audience has a standout experience each time they visit your stadium.
Bitly QR Codes provide a flexible, scalable solution to seamlessly connect in-person audiences to your online content. Dynamic QR Codes are both customizable and editable, so you can reuse them all season long without needing to create new codes or reprint materials. And with Bitly Analytics, you can track engagement in real time, keeping your finger on the pulse of your fans’ preferences and participation.
Reimagine fan engagement—Sign up for Bitly today and make your next big game unforgettable.
