International Sportstech News

One of the world's leading sportstech Accelerator Programs, Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech, has opened applications for their 2025 Accelerator cohort. A cohort of 10 companies will be selected, with every company gaining direct access to key decision-makers and industry leaders within the SportsTech partner consortium. which includes four Comcast NBCUniversal sports brands: NBC Sports, Sky Sports, Comcast Spectacor, and Golf – alongside NASCAR, WWE, Premier League and PGA TOUR.

WiST (Women in Sports Tech) has announced its seventh year of WiST Fellows with the 2024 program cohort. This year features 19 students representing diverse academic backgrounds from across the US and abroad. Each WiST Fellow brings unique talents and perspectives to the forefront of the sports technology landscape. This year's cohort comprises undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students from 18 universities, spanning 11 different degree programs, who will complete summer internship experiences with 16 different WiST Partners. 

Quintar has gained a new investment as part of an $US 8.2 million funding round for its spatial XR platform. Santa Clara, California-based Quintar said that Centre Court Capital has made a significant investment as part of an $8.2 million Series A round. The round was led by SeventySix Capital and Cowles Company. Quintar’s goal is to use augmented reality (AR) to enable fans to see more data superimposed on the real world and dive deeper in stats, create sports content, or provide other quality-of-life improvements to the live-game experience.

3DLOOK, the global leader in AI-powered mobile body scanning solutions, has announced the launch of FitXpress. Through a single API, customers can access precise AI-powered body scanning; 3D body models; fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), and basal metabolic rate (BMR) estimates; target weight visualizations; and highly-accurate progress tracking. Users gain access to 80+ precise body measurements for every user, providing a new stream of insight and improved analytics to finetune services, develop new features, and deliver hyper-personalized experiences such as tailored workouts, product recommendations, and engagement strategies designed to maximize usage and user satisfaction.

Centre Court Capital, a fund with a focus on sports technology, announced the initiation of a venture capital fund valued at approximately 3.5 billion rupees ($US 42 million) on Thursday.  Centre Court Capital (CCC) has successfully raised 2 billion rupees from various stakeholders such as athletes, corporate entities like SG Sports (associated with APL Apollo’s sports and entertainment sector), aiming to support entrepreneurs who introduce cutting-edge technology into the realms of sports and gaming.

Teamviewer is working with its sports partners at Manchester United and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, launching SheSportTech. The initiative which is supported by the community partners, Women in Sports Tech WiST) and Women’s Sport Collective, looks to inspire more women to see the breadth of opportunities in the world of technology.

Yahoo Sports, one of the internet’s leading destinations for sports news and fantasy games, announced today that it has partnered with OneFootball, one of the world’s biggest football platforms backed by clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and FC Bayern Munich, to create a new hub for comprehensive soccer content. Through the hub, fans will have access to news and analysis from leagues and competitions around the world. OneFootball has a 24/7 newsroom that operates in six languages, as well as a network of over 200 well-known content partners and publishers worldwide. 

Biolinq, a healthcare technology company pioneering precision multi-analyte biosensors to improve metabolic health, today announced the completion of $58 million in financing led by Alpha Wave Ventures. The financing will support completion of a U.S. pivotal clinical trial this year, evaluating Biolinq’s proprietary intradermal glucose sensor, and subsequent FDA submission. Biolinq’s wearable patch uses an array of tiny electrochemical sensors to measure glucose levels from the intradermal space just beneath the surface of the skin, combining glucose information with relative levels of activity in one device.

Greenfly, the leader in powering short-form content workflows for sports, media, and other brands, today announced the closing of equity investments of $14 million led by global sports tech investor ADvantage, with participation from Ryan Sports Ventures, Mercato Partners, and NBA Equity. The Greenfly Platform is core infrastructure for short-form content operations, allowing the world’s largest sports and entertainment organizations to create, aggregate, collect, organize and distribute short-form content throughout their ecosystem.

A new sports tech startup, Volley, aims to revolutionize the way racquet sports players (platform tennis, tennis, padel and pickleball) train with its AI-enabled sports training machine. Unlike traditional tennis ball machines that simply launch balls at varying speeds and heights, Volley’s trainer robot leverages AI and vision software to collect data as you play, learn your skill level and simulate live gameplay.

EGYM Genius creates fully automated personalized training plans that are precisely tailored to the respective club and all of its equipment, including free weights. Trainers and members benefit from the insights from seven billion EGYM data points and counting. EGYM Genius is the new driver of the entire EGYM ecosystem, which seamlessly connects its components: EGYM Smart Strength (including the Fitness Hub and connected Smart cardio), training plans, workouts of all kinds (including classes and training outside the gym recorded with apps and wearables) as well as motivational and community tools such as Gameday and the Branded Member App.

Riddell, the industry leader in football helmet technology and innovation, announced the strategic acquisition of longtime partner Simbex. With the addition of Simbex' premier engineering and health science product development expertise, Riddell will further elevate its position at the forefront of sports technology. Simbex is a premier product design and development firm with over 20 years of experience in the sports, medical, and health technology markets. 

Portuguese star striker, Cristiano Ronaldo will release wellness app ERAKULIS on 3 April. Declaring “balance is everything”, the world’s most-capped player is leveraging his elite training to deliver fitness, nutrition and mental balance programmes. Stacked with 1,000+ workouts and 400 recipes, the app includes personalised wellness plans, expert-led video consultations and community support.

The Premier League has today announced a four-year partnership with Rezzil, the virtual reality (VR) software developer. Rezzil, a Manchester-based VR software firm, are specialists in the production of sports gaming software for athlete training and game analysis within virtual reality. The Premier League and Rezzil will work together on the development of a VR game, which is expected to be launched later this year. The game will place users on the pitch and in the boots of their favourite Premier League players, offering fans a unique opportunity to recreate iconic Premier League goals and moments from within the perspective of virtual reality.    

The most advanced sport in the world is turning to Artificial Intelligence to solve a problem that many broadcasters have struggled with for decades. Formula One is using AI to create 3-times slow motion replays from standard speed cameras. AI is also used on some of the graphics, like car tracking and virtual graphics signage, for up to eight cameras. AI is used to position signage within the frame so it looks real when cars drive in front of it. 

Andorra Business and Andorra Research + Innovation (Andorra), in partnership with Global Sport Innovation Center Powered by Microsoft  (GSIC) and with the support of SPSG Consulting (SPSG) are launching the second edition of the Andorra Sports Scale-Up Program, to select a second cohort of the best sport-tech companies in Andorra and across the world, and help them in their internationalization process. The program aims to identify the most promising technological solutions that can help improve the sports industry in general, with priority over those focused on winter and mountain sports, and have the potential for scalability and internationalization.

Esports lounge network True Gamers has announced plans to build a large-scale ‘esports island’ in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The island will include training facilities, a tournament venue, content creation spaces and hotels for accommodating esports and gaming personnel. The island will feature several locations focused on competing, providing boot camps or offering accommodation. The Digital Tower is the name of the island’s hub which will include spaces for meetings, startup accelerators and animation studios. In addition to the tower, an arena will be built, called the TG Arena. It will feature spaces for esports tournaments as well as a computer club with around 100 PCs, a simulation racing section and a space for console gaming.

Ultrahuman, a wearable tech company with products such as a habit-tracking ring, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an upcoming home health device, has secured $US35 million in a Series B equity and debt funding round to fuel growth and support advanced research in the health monitoring space. The centerpiece of  Ultrahuman (and what sets it apart from competitors) is its multi-device health ecosystem by gathering a large set of biomarkers on its integrated platform. It’s a differentiating factor that expands Ultrahuman past the pure smart ring space.

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), the leading global rating system in Pickleball, has announced a strategic partnership with PlaySight, a pioneer in sports AI and analytics technology. This collaboration aims to elevate the pickleball experience for players, clubs, tournaments, and leagues worldwide. DUPR assigns players a rating between 2.000-8.000 based on match results, regardless of age, gender, location, or skill level. Leveraging this expertise, the partnership will integrate DUPR ratings seamlessly into PlaySight’s innovative platform, offering players increased access to advanced AI technology to gain a better understanding of their game play, and unlock advanced analytics and insights into their performance. 

Startups from the climate, food, and energy sectors came together at London's House of Sport for the Champions Innovate programme, entering an exciting second phase to enhance the social and environmental impact of the UEFA Champions League final. The workshop was the second of three taking place in the build-up to the UEFA Champions League Final in London on 1 June. It gave the startups the opportunity to ask questions to experts from UEFA and sponsors, run their plans past staff from the UEFA Innovation Hub and the Greater London Authority, and exchange insights with the other organisations.

Ireland’s reputation as a world leader in sports analytics and performance data got a significant boost yesterday with the launch of the country’s first-ever postgraduate course designed for industry professionals seeking cutting-edge knowledge in the business of sports. The new Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Analytics, Technology and Innovation, is the result of a strategic collaboration between Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet, SportsTech Ireland, and Technological University Dublin’s Enterprise Academy.

Sports data and technology company IMG ARENA has scored an early legal victory against competitor Stats Perform in a closely watched legal dispute in the UK. A British court denied Stats Perform's petition for summary judgment (one party argues there is no real dispute involving material facts and that moving party is entitled to win the case as a matter of law) effectively moving the case forward. The ruling comes one year after IMG in March 2023 filed a legal claim for inducing or procuring breaches of contract and unlawful means conspiracy against rival Stats Perform at the UK's High Court of Justice. More specifically, IMG alleges that Stats Perform hired scouts to collect live betting data across several European football/soccer leagues exclusively contracted with IMG.

Myzone has announced the launch of MZ-Open, an access function that enables Myzone gym users to experience all the benefits of Myzone’s world renowned heart rate training ecosystem through their Android or Apple smart watch. By integrating with Apple and Android smart watches Myzone reduce barriers to entry, helping gym operators encourage even more members to join the Myzone community.

ZONE3 has launched what is being billed as the world’s first biodegradable performance-focused wetsuit, the latest iteration of the ZONE3 Vision. With an RRP of £399, the new model Vision wetsuit uses biodegradable rubber – Terraprene, from neoprene specialist, Yamamoto. According to ZONE3, the Terraprene material preserves high quality and performance, while being able to biodegrade entirely in landfill conditions.

With younger generations of fans wanting to consume sports through short-form content operators leading each of the major leagues are actively experimenting with new formats and initiatives that reflect younger fans' distinct priorities and media consumption habits. This includes experimenting with platforms like Roblox and TikTok and partnering with the likes of Nickelodeon.

Technogym is advancing prescription exercise. The Italian connected fitness equipment maker released Checkup, an AI-powered mental and physical health assessment station for gyms, hotels and clinics. Measuring body composition, strength, balance, mobility and cognition, the smart kiosk delivers a Wellness Age and “prescription” training programme designed to lower it.

According to Drake Star's "Sports Tech Market 2023 Report" the sports tech industry saw another record deal making year in 2023, including $US 37 billion in deal value across 1,171 deals, surpassing the 2022 announced deals value of $US 21 billion by a huge margin. With $US 26.7 billion in total disclosed value through 328 deals, M&A activity increased almost 3x over 2022 (excluding the $68.7B Activision/Microsoft deal). While Media & Broadcasting segment saw the largest deal activity, Wearables & Performance Enhancement reported significant increase of over 2x in deal activity over 2022.

Barcelona, the Spanish soccer giants, have launched a new streaming service that will be rolled out for free globally. The Barca One OTT platform will start broadcasting in “the next few weeks” and offer content based on the heavyweight LaLiga club. Barça One will feature over 1,500 hours of material from the Barca TV archives (games, shows, reports, historic content) as well as a new selection of programs with the latest Barca info, including live broadcasts, press conferences, and original content.

Following a rigorous testing process, SkillCorner’s single-camera tracking technology has achieved a place on the FIFA Quality Programme for Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems (EPTS), achieving the 'FIFA Basic’ mark associated with broadcast tracking. The FIFA Quality Programme, run by football’s world governing body, is an internationally recognised standard for quality and reliability in the areas where it matters most: the equipment, surface, technology and services used for the game. The FIFA Quality Programme for EPTS specifically aims to ensure and improve the quality of tracking systems used in Official Matches and tournaments throughout the world.

 UEFA unveiled a new carbon footprint calculator, tailor-made for football organisations. It will help them understand and reduce their carbon emissions in areas such as mobility, purchased goods and services, facilities and logistics. In addition to the calculator, UEFA have also produced a user guide, tutorial videos and a full methodology to support users at every step of their sustainability journey.

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced a multi-year venture through which Second Spectrum, a Genius Sports technology solution, will become the optical tracking provider to the league. With this investment, the WNBA becomes the first women’s professional sports league in the U.S. with leaguewide 3D tracking data.

ABC Fitness, one of the world's leading tech provider for fitness businesses has announced the launch of TZ Storefront, a new partnership between ABC Trainerize and WRKOUT that empowers coaches and fitness professionals to support their clients’ wellness goals, while launching a passive income stream through product recommendations. 

Over the weekend, we launched the first stand-alone adidas store on ROBLOX. The expanded presence on the platform providers more than 200 million monthly players with the opportunity to buy adidas virtual product. The store features more than 800 individual articles, including bringing adidas footwear and apparel to the platform for the first time.

CricViz, one of the world’s leading cricket data and analytics provider, has been appointed as data analysis and insights partner by Disney Star for the upcoming 2024 IPL and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.CricViz will partner with the leading Indian broadcaster for the first time, and as part of the agreement. CricViz analysts will work closely with Disney Star’s production and commentary teams across live broadcasts and provide insights to power on-screen graphics and analysis for pre- and post-match shows.

ESPN announced Meta as the fourth member of the ESPN Edge Innovation Center. The collaboration is focused on bringing an ESPN-branded virtual reality (VR) sports experience to Meta Quest. Immersive VR sports highlights will be available in the free Xtadium app on Meta Quest, and coming later this summer, ESPN will launch an immersive, ESPN-branded experience in Meta Horizon Worlds.

n matchday 23 of the current season, a RefCam was used in a Bundesliga match for the first time. The small special camera was attached to the referee’s headset during the match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg and filmed the match from his perspective. A sound link was also used to reproduce the referee’s perspective authentically and up close. 

Reliance Industries said its unit Viacom 18 will absorb Star India, one of India's earliest private sector broadcasters, originally owned by Rupert Murdoch and currently owned by The Walt Disney Company of the US. Viacom18 is, in turn, a joint venture controlled by Reliance. Reliance Industries will have control over the merged entity, said Reliance. Digital assets, such as Hotstar and JioCinema, are part of the transaction. The merger will create the biggest media entity in India, with ownership by Reliance Industries, Disney (direct holding) and others.

As gamers eagerly await the release of EA Sports College Football 25, the straightforward process by which EA is negotiating for the use of players’ names, images and likenesses is a problematic development for the NCAA as it defends against antitrust claims of unlawfully suppressing economic opportunities for college athletes. Last Thursday, EA Sports shared details about the game, which is expected to release this summer. The game, the first EA Sports college video game in 11 years, will feature more than 11,000 players from 134 FBS teams. Players who agree to appear will be paid $600 and receive a complimentary copy. 

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has launched SAFF+, an exclusive digital platform to help take Saudi football to the next level. Utilising cloud broadcasting technology alongside high-quality multi-angle cameras fitted within 62 stadiums nationwide, as an AI-assisted multi-purpose digital platform, SAFF+ will begin broadcasting men’s and women’s matches from 15 local competitions that don’t have exclusive television rights, providing fans with unprecedented access to matches held across the Kingdom.

Epicore Biosystems, a digital health solutions company developing advanced sweat-sensing wearables to provide real-time personalized hydration insights for performance and safety, and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) have partnered to bring Epicore’s novel biosensing capabilities to the anti-doping world as a new drug detection method to complement existing urine and blood collections.