2015 will see an avalanche of virtual reality devices appear in the mass market, with the likes of Sony, Google, Facebook and Microsoft targeting gamers across the globe. The technology may now be an attainable reality, but will it be used for anything beyond video games?

Watching a sports game on your widescreen HD TV has long been the next best thing to actually attending the event. But now there’s another way to get courtside, with the NBA set to live-stream the Golden State Warriors’ first home game of the season in virtual reality.

The advent of virtual reality has given us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in everything from first-person shooters to David Attenborough documentaries. Now, The New York Times is inviting its subscribers – who number more than a million – to immerse themselves in journalism too.

Billed as the world’s first VR entertainment facility, Melbourne-based Zero Latency gives visitors a truly immersive experience for a small price. It provides an alternative, accessible way for people to experience the tech, but can it convince consumers that VR has a place in the mainstream?

Since launching in 2013, Marriott’s Travel Brilliantly campaign has been pioneering the future of travel, from mobile check-in to in-room Netflix. Now, guests are able to order exclusive VR content to their rooms. How can travel brands use this tech to boost sales and strengthen consumer loyalty?

Whether swooping over sprawling landscapes or careering through space, an hour spent on Icaros – a virtual reality at-home gym that claims to exercise both mind and body – promises to be a truly holistic workout. Is this what the future of fitness looks like, or is it just another VR gimmick?

2015 has been mooted as the year of virtual reality; Sony, Microsoft and Oculus have all announced new headsets, while Google Cardboard continues to sell. And now with Zero Latency – the world’s first VR entertainment facility – opening its doors, VR is set to become more accessible for consumers.

The average smartphone owner reaches for their device over 150 times a day, so it’s no surprise that people can’t switch off when watching sport in stadiums or at home. With a breadth of stats and analysis available at the touch of a button, how has technology changed the fan experience?