Autodesk and FOX Sports Team Up on Groundbreaking Wind Simulation Technology for Super Bowl XLVIII Broadcast
June 29 10:51:43, 2025
Public Company Information:
NASDAQ: ADSK
SAN FRANCISCO & NEW YORK – (BUSINESS WIRE) – The New Jersey Meadowlands, home to MetLife Stadium and the historic Super Bowl XLVIII, has always been known for its unpredictable and swirling winter winds. Now, Autodesk and FOX Sports are joining forces to bring fans a first-of-its-kind visual experience—showing exactly how wind might influence the game in real time. This new technology, called *FOX WEATHER TRAX*, offers viewers an unprecedented look at live airflow patterns inside the stadium.
FOX Sports turned to Autodesk, a global leader in design and engineering software, to help visualize the potential impact of wind on players during the Super Bowl. Using advanced simulation tools, Autodesk calculated the specific weather conditions inside MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The results will be displayed live on screen, showing wind direction and movement as the game unfolds. Before this innovation, fans and analysts had to rely on field goal flags to guess how wind affected plays—often leaving everyone confused about why a kick or pass went wrong. Now, with this collaboration, the mystery is gone.
“Wind is an invisible force that can change the outcome of a game,†said Zac Fields, Vice President of Graphics & Technology at FOX Sports. “Given the unique conditions in the Meadowlands and the importance of this game, we needed a way to show the wind clearly. This tool allows us to give our 100 million-plus viewers a real-time view of what’s happening around them.â€
Autodesk’s simulation technology is widely used by architects, engineers, and designers to test scenarios and predict outcomes. It helps users explore different possibilities without building physical models. The process is seamless, much like spellcheck in a word processor—working behind the scenes to improve decisions and results.
“We were excited when FOX Sports asked to take the Super Bowl experience to the next level,†said Buzz Kross, Senior Vice President at Autodesk. “Our software is used every day to understand and predict real-world conditions. Whether it's testing how a phone performs in extreme weather or analyzing air flow in a building, our tools empower people to make smarter choices.â€
**How It Works**
For the first time ever, fans watching from home will get an inside look at the wind patterns inside the stadium. Here’s how it works:
- **Step 1:** A detailed 3D model of the stadium is created using Autodesk’s modeling software.
- **Step 2:** Simulation software is used to adjust wind speed and direction based on real-time conditions, showing how the air moves inside the stadium.
- **Step 3:** These visualizations are then overlaid onto live footage, giving viewers a clear picture of how wind affects the game.
You can see an example of this technology in action [here]. If you're interested in creating your own wind simulation, try Autodesk Flow Design.
**About FOX Sports**
FOX Sports is the leading sports media brand under 21st Century Fox, offering a wide range of platforms and content to reach over 100 million viewers each weekend. From linear TV networks to digital and mobile services, FOX Sports covers everything from major leagues to college sports and international competitions. It includes FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, regional networks, and digital properties like FOXSports.com and FOX Sports GO.
**About Autodesk**
Autodesk empowers creators, engineers, and innovators to imagine, design, and build a better world. With software used by professionals, students, and hobbyists worldwide, Autodesk helps solve complex challenges and bring ideas to life. For more information, visit [autodesk.com](http://www.autodesk.com) or follow @autodesk on social media.
*Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates in the USA and other countries. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Autodesk reserves the right to modify products, services, specifications, and pricing without notice.*
**Contact:**
FOX Sports
Valerie Krebs, 212-556-2583
valerie.krebs@fox.com
or
Autodesk
Stacy Doyle, 503-707-3861
stacy.doyle@autodesk.com