A goal is scored, and a few seconds later the screens of fans who are not watching light up. No other channel is as direct on matchday. That is exactly why it needs rules: every push has to be worth it, or it gets switched off.

Not every event is worth a message

In the live ticker you decide per event type whether it triggers a notification. A goal almost always does, a penalty often, a goalie change maybe. The same applies to match phases: the start, intermissions, overtime and the final score can each send a push – or not.
  • Goals and final score: the core almost every fan wants.
  • Start of the game: brings fans into the ticker on time.
  • Penalties and intermissions: useful for fans who want to stay close.
  • Minor events: better in the ticker than on the lock screen.

What the notification says

For a goal, the push opens with the scorer – including the jersey number if it is maintained – followed by your ticker text. Whoever reads the notification already knows what happened before opening the ticker. During a shootout, the shootout score is added.

The free-text notice for everything else

Some things fit no event: the start is delayed, doors open later, an interview is coming up. For this, the editor has a manual push with its own title and text, independent of the game. Because it sits outside the routine, use it sparingly.

Fans have a say

In the live ticker, fans choose which events and match phases reach them and whether they want general notices. That is not a loss of control: someone who only wants goals is more likely to stay subscribed than someone who gets everything or nothing.
On the iPhone, fans only receive web push once they have added the ticker to their home screen. The live ticker can be installed as a web app with your name, icon and colours – a pointer to that belongs in every season-opening message.

A simple push policy

  1. Decide before the season which event types and match phases trigger a push.
  2. Write goal texts so they also work on the lock screen.
  3. Agree who may send the manual push and what for.
  4. Explain to your fans how to enable and adjust notifications.