In recent years, Cosm has emerged as a pioneering force in the realm of live sports experiences, marking a significant shift in how audiences engage with their favorite games. The company drew considerable attention when tickets for the highly anticipated first game of the Yankees-Dodgers matchup in the 2024 World Series were snapped up in an astonishingly quick seven minutes at their state-of-the-art facility in Los Angeles. This incredible demand underscores Cosm's innovative approach, which is now expanding to include groundbreaking broadcasts across various major sports leagues, such as the NBA, NHL, and UFC.

Having recently visited the SLC facility for another immersive demonstration, I was struck by the transformative potential of Cosm's technology. The experience was akin to stepping into a new dimension of sports, entertainment, and education, accessible from diverse platforms, whether it be through the expansive format of a Cosm dome or the convenience of a smartphone.

The backstory of Cosm is equally compelling, tracing its lineage to the early developments of immersive projection systems designed for planetariums. The company's official branding as 'Cosm' was established in 2020, following a collaboration between leaders in planetarium projection technology and experts in computer graphics and virtual reality. The name itself symbolizes the fusion of the grandiosity of ancient venues, like the Colosseum, and the vastness of the universe, represented by the Cosmos.

Cosm showcased its technological prowess during significant global events such as the streaming feeds for the VR coverage of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Following these accomplishments, Cosm opened its inaugural venues equipped with large-scale screens in Los Angeles and Dallas in 2024, each accommodating approximately 1,400 guests. During my visit, I noted that the SLC venue, while smaller, featured a similar innovative structure. From the moment I entered, I was greeted by a lobby adorned with gigantic LED screens that set the tone for what was to come. The venue also offers classic stadium concessions, complete with seat-side delivery, and features a tiered seating arrangement akin to traditional arenas.

Once inside the main area, I was immediately captivated by a colossal 8K screen that dominated my field of vision, wrapping around the venue and soaring overhead. The exceptional picture quality left me in awe; Cosm claims that their venues are the first in the industry to incorporate 'black domes,' a design that effectively minimizes cross-reflectiona phenomenon where light bounces unpredictably off a display's surface, compromising clarity and brightnessthus delivering visuals of stunning richness and vibrancy. Coupled with the advanced LED lighting used in the displays, the result is truly breathtaking.

As emphasized by Cosm's Chief Operations Officer, Kirk Johnson, The system contrast is 10 times that of what you can achieve with any projector. This significant enhancement in visual performance is complemented by a sophisticated sound system. In the SLC facility alone, an array of 16 speakers and four subwoofers are strategically positioned, while the larger LA and Dallas venues boast an impressive 38 speakers and 15 subwoofers. These audio components are ingeniously placed behind the LED displays, which are designed to be permeable, allowing sound to flow through seamlessly. This unique configuration enables Cosm to create an immersive sound experience, where noises and effects can be perceived as originating from various points in the room, including seemingly behind the audience.