It’s late—sometimes nearly midnight. After a hard-fought match, the press conference room at the football stadium hums with anticipation. Tired but dutiful, coaches and players file in, take their seats, and prepare to field questions from journalists ready to dissect every play, decision, and moment of the game.
Sports press conferences have a rhythm all their own, each one charged with its own kind of energy. On Matchday Minus One—the day before the game—the mood is high, with each team gathering to share lineups, provide injury updates, and outline their strategy. There’s excitement and anticipation in the air, as coaches and players promise to give their all on the field.
But fast-forward to the end of match night, and the atmosphere is different. Suddenly, there is a winner, a loser, and a deep, shared exhaustion. Post-game press conferences mix fatigue and formality, as players and coaches rehash the game’s highs and lows. For them, the night has been long, but for journalists, the real breakdown is only beginning. They’re there for post-game insights, ready to dig into the choices and moments that defined the match.
In many cases, these sessions often feel like marathons, if stretched out by consecutive interpretation, with each response repeated in the other language. This approach doubles the time and drags the process out. Then there is simultaneous interpretation to solve this, but analogue systems are not what modern clubs like RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg, or national teams like Switzerland want to use anymore.
Now these teams use LiveVoice to provide seamless real-time interpretation, allowing press conferences to flow without interruption. Interpreters can work on site with touch screens or even join remotely, making everything more flexible and cost-effective.
“I am really excited about the LiveVoice interpretation system. It makes everything much more flexible and the interpreter console is super easy to use.” says Cécile Balbous, who has been an interpreter for many years in the sports sector and has now worked with LiveVoice at various press conferences.
“I am really excited about the LiveVoice interpretation system. It makes everything much more flexible and the interpreter console is super easy to use.”
But also Journalists benefit from the solution: They simply tune in on their own devices via the LiveVoice app — no more logistical hassle with distributing FM receivers. Not only is this approach more hygienic post-COVID, but it’s also a practical step forward in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) technology, benefiting both organizers and attendees alike.
There are several ways in which LiveVoice adds value to sports press conferences:
- BYOD Convenience: Journalists and interpreters can use their own devices to connect instantly, eliminating the need to distribute and collect equipment.
- Cost-Effective: Clubs only pay for software, avoiding the need to invest in expensive analogue systems. Since not every match is international and thus needs interpretation at the press conference, this SaaS (Software as a Service) model is perfect for sporadic interpretation needs.
- Time Efficiency: With real-time interpretation, press conferences move at a natural pace — shorter, sharper, and more engaging. By removing the wait, LiveVoice lets the focus stay on what truly matters: the insights, strategies, and emotions of the game.
We are glad that with our solution we can play a crucial role to transform press conferences, benefiting players, coaches, and journalists alike — keeping the focus where it should be: on the sport.
