International Sportstech News

FIFPRO Technologies, a new division of FIFPRO dedicated to fostering the benefits of technology among professional football players, announced a long-term partnership with Sports Data Labs to launch a global technology platform for players that will enable them to collect, control, and monetise their data collected both on and off the pitch. The data-agnostic platform will allow footballers worldwide to safely and securely store, access and share their personal data and other player information gathered from across their careers via one, union and player-controlled data repository.

FLITEDECK is a newly launched cycling handlebar system that integrates an automotive-like infotainment system into your bike. It features a 180mm by 70mm touchscreen in an integrated carbon fibre road bike handlebar with WiFi, ANT+, Bluetooth, 5G, NFC, GPS, GNSS connectivity and 30 hours of battery life. FLITEDECK is currently available for pre-order with early bird discounts starting from $AUD 2,697, while the customisable model costs $AUD 5,563.

Hudl, a global leader in providing cloud-based technology connecting video and data for the sports industry, has completed the acquisition of Balltime. Balltime’s advanced AI joins Hudl’s suite of volleyball tools to further drive innovation for indoor and beach volleyball teams at all levels globally. Founded in 2022, Balltime has used AI to revolutionize and democratize the use of video and analytics for volleyball teams on the court and beach. By joining forces with Balltime, volleyball teams will have faster access to detailed data like serve speed and attack height. Combined with Hudl’s analysis tools, this data will be available within minutes of walking off the court.

As younger generations shift away from traditional sports consumption, Roblox has emerged as a game-changer in how sports leagues, brands, and organizations engage with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. With 88.9 million daily active users across 190 countries, the platform offers immersive, interactive, and gamified sports experiences that capture the attention of digital-native fans.

ESPN and Major League Rugby (MLR) have reached a multiyear media rights agreement, bringing the highest level of professional rugby in the United States to ESPN platforms. Under the agreement, all regular season and playoff games will stream live on ESPN+, with a select number of matches presented on ESPN2. Additionally, fans can stream replays of each match, highlights and rugby content on The Rugby Network, following a 72-hour delay. 

Michael Johnson's new track league has struck a media deal for Peacock to stream all the action live and The CW to broadcast the weekend races during the four events in 2025.  The move gives NBC Sports, the Olympic rights holder that operates Peacock, a foothold in track and field after not renewing its deal to stream track's Diamond League meets after last year. The Grand Slam Track League has signed 48 athletes to compete in a four-event circuit beginning April 4 in Kingston, Jamaica.

ShotQuality and Field Vision have partnered to introduce Drive Quality - a new real-time American Football metric designed to predict offensive performance as part of a mission to bring real-time, AI-powered player location data and predictive analytics to multiple sports. By combining ShotQuality’s advanced computer vision technology with Field Vision’s deep football expertise, the organisations are delivering insight that gives sportsbooks, analysts, data scientists, and fans new insights into expected performance.

Electronic Arts (EA) has reached an agreement to acquire TRACAB Technologies, a leader in advanced sports optical tracking and analysis solutions. EA Sports is expected to leverage TRACAB’s technology and teams to harness advanced AI, machine learning, and real-time sports data to create lifelike animation and simulate real-world action. TRACAB’s tracks nearly everything happening on the field or pitch at 60Hz per second, generating 600 million data points per game, including 65 unique data points per player and referee by capturing live skeleton data from 21 joints on each individual body on the pitch, as well as center of mass and ball tracking.

The NBA has selected five companies in the fourth cohort of its technology R&D program, Launchpad. Launchpad pairs companies with NBA and WNBA divisions for six-month pilots. The league announced six priorities of interest -- Future of Officiating, Youth Basketball, Player Health & Wellbeing, Future of Media, Fan Connection and NBA Impact. The five companies include Somnee (a wearable headband providing gentle neuro-stimulation to help users fall asleep more quickly and deeply), VReps (educational platform that teaches strategies and allows users to review plays), SportIQ (sensor-based basketball to produce performance and analytics data), OneCourt (a haptic tablet that converts tracking data in a real-time broadcast with audio for vision-impaired) and Trashie (customer rewards program for good recycling, reuse and repurposing).

The NFL is set to host multiple international games in Australia with Melbourne reportedly given the nod. News Corp reports the Allan government has secured a multi-year deal after months of secret negotiations with the NFL. The Los Angeles Rams are set to be the ‘home’ team for the match and will likely square off against the Philadelphia Eagles. The first in-season game is expected to take place at the MCG in October, 2026, which will be just weeks after the AFL grand final. Next season’s fixture will see a game played at Real Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Spain for the first time.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), one of the world’s most globally recognized football clubs, has joined forces with Matchain, a blockchain platform known for its expertise in AI and decentralized identity (DID) solutions. The collaboration has resulted in the creation of the Joint Innovations Studio (JIS), an initiative that aims to revolutionize PSG’s digital landscape by integrating advanced blockchain, artificial intelligence, and decentralized technologies. This move is expected to enhance fan engagement, improve operational efficiency, and bolster PSG’s partnership ecosystem.

With 22.4 billion pairs of shoes manufacturing annually around the world ASICS has been pursuing two approaches to circular manufacturing to reduce or eliminate waste. Launched in 2024, the ASICS NEOCURVE™ sneaker is made from defective and unsold stock. The entire process of grinding, materialization and manufacturing takes place within the EU, and the sneaker is sold only in Europe. Also launched in 2024, our NIMBUS MIRAI™ running shoe has a single-material polyester upper that can be detached from the sole, chemically recycled, and remade ready to run again. 

Irish sports technology company Output Sports has raised $US 4.8 million in funding to boost its US expansion and increase staff numbers. The funding includes new supporters such as Apex Capital. Output Sports technology captures and analyses athletic data through a single wearable sensor system and its used in velocity-based training, reactive strength, and power development . It works with more than 800 sports organisations to provide data-backed insights to improve athletic performance, including more than half of all English Premier League clubs.

AXS has launched its new biometric authentication feature for its mobile app in what it claims to be a ticketing industry first. The feature aims to provide users with a secure way to access accounts and tickets while also reducing fraud. With on-device biometric authentication, users can log in to their accounts and access their tickets using their fingerprint or facial recognition.

Following the success of several law trials and innovations introduced to the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, this year’s Men’s, Women’s and U20s Six Nations Championships will continue to promote the changes in game approach. This will include ‘Touchfinder’, an evolution of the Smart Ball technology. ‘Touchfinder’ is intended to support the team of match officials, specifically assistant referees, in identifying exactly where the ball crosses the touchline, purely from kicks into touch. For the first time instrumented mouthguards will be applied to the U20s Six Nations. Sensors in the mouthguards monitor the frequency and magnitude of head acceleration during training and match play, and form part of the HIA process.

Gymshark, the fitness community and apparel brand, has announced the launch of its inaugural innovation programme, the Gymshark Innovation Lab, in partnership with corporate innovation specialist L Marks. As part of the partnership, Gymshark is inviting startups and innovators to bring their concepts to the Gymshark Innovation Lab, to help them bring these visions to life and become potential partners. Innovators and startups get the opportunity to pilot their concepts and visions in a new ten-week immersive programme. The Gymshark Innovation Lab will seek to unearth transformative solutions that enhance product performance and sustainability, optimize supply chain management and unlock pioneering innovations in robotics.

Neko Health has raised $US 260 million to expand a preventative healthcare service designed to detect cancers, cardiovascular disease and other conditions. The company, was co-founded by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek and uses more than 16 medical devices to noninvasively check moles, the heart and more. Neko currently provides scans for around $US 372 from two sites in London and Stockholm. The company plans to use the financing to expand in the U.S. and Europe and invest in diagnostics. To date it has performed 10,000 scans, and has 100,000 people on a waiting list.

Bloomberg has reported that Meta plans to launch a version of its smart glasses aimed at athletes, with data tracking features designed to improve performance feedback. These sunglasses for athletes will reportedly be inspired by Oakley’s ‘Sphaera’ design and include a single camera placed centrally on the frame to reduce weight. This aligns with Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of both Oakley and Ray-Ban, with whom they collaborated on their first smart glasses. While these new releases will initially focus on data tracking and performance metrics, Meta’s long-term vision includes fully functional AR glasses.

Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have conducted the first comprehensive study on gender-specific differences in running, considering various shoe and speed conditions. Their findings, which contribute to the development of optimized running shoes, have now been published. The study demonstrated that there are numerous differences in running biomechanics between female and male recreational runners. Together with research partners Fraunhofer IPA and PUMA, the University will continue to focus on the collection, analysis, and application of motion data in running and football, paying particular attention to sex-specific aspects.

Billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik has injected a further $US 827 million into streaming giant DAZN in a bid to become a major rival to Netflix. The businessman has now invested more than $US 6.7 billion in the London-based sports streaming service. DAZN’s revenue increased $US 2.86 billion in 2023, and its expected to pass $US 6 billion in 2025. The increase would be partly driven by extra income from its $US 2.2 billion acquisition of Australian pay-TV giant, Foxtel, as well as the $US 1 billion deal for rights to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Springbok Analytics, a leader in AI-driven muscle analytics, announced the close of a $AUD 5 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Transition Equity Partners, with participation from the National Basketball Association, Cartan Capital, Boston Global (AUS) and other strategic investors. This funding supports Springbok's mission to advance muscle health analysis across human performance, life sciences, and longevity. Springbok Analytics has developed a first-of-its-kind, FDA-cleared AI technology that delivers automated, precise and comprehensive muscle health assessments from MRI scans.

Autograph and Future have announced their merger, combining coaching, AI-powered training, and athlete partnerships to expand access to training globally. Autograph, co-founded by seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, leverages technology for fan and professional athlete engagement. Future offers fully virtual personal training with real coaches, powered by wearable technology and AI. The merger integrates Autograph’s extensive athlete network and partnership ecosystem with Future’s personalized coaching platform. The entity will blend human expertise with AI-driven insights to improve virtual personal training.

APEX has announced that applications for Season 3 of the APEX Impact Program (AIP) are now open. The AIP focuses on supporting passionate founders who are building innovative early-stage technologies that could make a real difference in Sports, Media, & Entertainment. In Season 1 and 2, APEX worked with companies like Hexis, Traits Insights, VRTL, and LuckySeatz. The program provides introductions to APEX's sports community, strategic and commercial support and invest €250,000 to drive growth.

Kiwi Fitness, a new AI-powered strength training app, is transforming how gym-goers approach fitness. The app provides personalized workout plans, real-time progress tracking, and adaptable training sessions, offering an alternative to traditional coaching—at a fraction of the cost. Kiwi Fitness uses machine learning algorithms to create tailored workout experiences for users. The app takes into account factors such as fitness goals, available equipment, and individual progress, delivering adjustments on the go to ensure optimized performance and results.

The Nix Bionsensors hydration monitor is a tool for monitoring hydration in real time and the UCI is now giving the okay for use during competition. According to the brand, this “milestone marks a significant achievement for Nix Biosensors, as UCI teams are now permitted to integrate the Nix hydration monitor and corresponding Nix Pro app into their hydration strategies during UCI races, whereas previously it was only permitted in training. Real-time hydration data empowers early intervention, allowing for adjustments to be made before performance-impairing levels of dehydration set in. 

FIFA has relaunched its Innovation Programme to seek technology driven solutions for a series of challenges. It is a platform the sees FIFA work with stakeholders to develop exciting innovations that benefit the global game. FIFA periodically publishes challenges detailing specific requirements that address a need within the game, with providers invited to pitch their solutions. The following challenges are currently open for applicants - skeletal tracking, football video support (FVS) system, goal-line technology (GLT), sustainable artificial turf, esports data capture for broadcast and future of fan engagement.

Courtside Ventures has announced an investment in Eternal, a new healthcare service tailored to lifelong athletes. Courtside will co-lead the $US 13 million seed round with Lightspeed Venture Partners. Eternal aims to keep athletes active, healthy, and performing their best for as long as possible. Offering a membership model, the company combines assessments, medical diagnostics, and ongoing guidance and accountability coaching to help athletes optimize performance, address injuries, adapt to hormonal shifts, manage long-term health, and achieve personalized athletic goals well into their later decades.

Apple Fitness+ is getting a fresh makeover in the Strava app. The two companies have announced a collaboration to revamp how Fitness+ integrates with the popular Strava fitness community. This more detailed workout summaries, Strava athletes appearing in Fitness+ content, and a free three-month trial to the service for Strava subscribers.

SURJ Sports Investment, Saudi Arabia’s leading sports investment powerhouse, has today announced a strategic partnership with U.S-based Enfield Investment Partners aimed at amplifying and advancing their investments into sport. The signing comes while Enfield Investment Partners unveiled a new global sports asset fund valued at more than $US 4 billion. The two companies will focus on investments across properties and assets including sports teams, leagues, media and wider sport infrastructure. The partnership will strengthen SURJ Sports Investment bilateral relationships with the U.S market. 

The planned streaming service Venu Sports has been scrapped before it even started. ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery announced they were pulling the plug on Venu. It had been expected to make available sports broadcasts from all three services as a mid-priced entry for cable cord-cutters who wanted more than a bare minimum of sports. Venu had plans for 5 million subscribers in its first year.

RoxOpt has announced that it has unveiled its AI-powered analytics platform, delivering personalized insights to elevate training, racing, and goal-setting for HYROX athletes and coaches. RoxOpt’s first product, HYROX Race Performance Reports, is powered by a proprietary AI simulation engine tailored to endurance racing. With HYROX gaining momentum as one of the world’s fastest-growing fitness competitions, RoxOpt provides athletes with actionable insights to improve performance, plan for future races, and achieve their next personal best.

Samsung Electronics announced a new partnership with Unrivaled, the groundbreaking professional women’s basketball league, to serve as its official technology and presenting partner. Founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Samsung's smartphones (Galaxy S Series, Z Series), wearables (Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Ring), headphones (Galaxy Buds), and tablets featuring Galaxy AI, and monitors will exclusively power the league.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is launching a league-wide biomechanics program with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Motion capture labs will be installed at the training facilities of all 30 teams within a year. The protocols have been developed in consultation with the NBPA as well as sports medicine and performance experts. Provisions for the screening program were included in the current collective bargaining agreement, requiring players to participate in up to four assessments per season. The four tech vendors are Qualisys, BreakAway Data, Bertec and Theia. P3 is also on board as a consultant.

CNBC has ranked the 75 most valuable athletic programs in the USA. The top of the list is dominated by SEC and Big Ten schools, due largely to each conference’s massive media rights deals. Ohio State University is the most valuable athletic program, worth an estimated $US 1.32 billion. The Buckeyes had $US 280 million in revenue in 2023, the most of any school. In aggregate, the SEC is worth roughly $US 13.3 billion, an average of about $US 832 million per school; followed by the Big Ten at about $US 13.2 billion, an average of roughly $US 734 million per school; the ACC at roughly $US 10 billion, or about $US 558 million per school; and the Big 12, at roughly $US 6.7 billion, or about $US 420 million per school.

Scrum Ventures, a San Francisco and Tokyo-based early-stage venture capital firm, announced the closing of its first vertically focused tech fund, Scrum Sports & Entertainment Fund I (SSE). The new fund, which closed at $US 68 million, invests in technology companies that support the growth of the sports and entertainment sector. SSE has already established a strong foothold in the sports and entertainment sectors, having made strategic investments in 16 promising companies.

Sportable, a global leader in sports data AI, is proud to announce the acquisition of Intaneous, a computer vision company specializing in transforming sports data into insights and visualizations that enhance the way audiences experience and understand sports. By combining Intaneous’ advanced computer vision and visualization technology with Sportable’s smart ball and player tracking solutions, the company is poised to offer a comprehensive end-to-end solution including automated augmented reality graphics, real-time sponsorship placements and automated highlights. This integration will deepen Sportable’s relationships in its core markets of football (US), football, rugby and Australian rules football while also enabling growth into new sports such as volleyball and tennis. 

Withings, a connected health company, unveiled Omnia, a concept for a personal health mirror that will give you a more holistic view of your health. Omnia features a mirrored interface equipped with voice commands, a 3D body model (digital twin), and a connected base with advanced health sensors. It conducts daily in-depth health scans by integrating data from Withings’ extensive ecosystem of devices—including smartwatches, scales, blood pressure monitors, sleep trackers, and even mattress and bathroom sensors—alongside weight, heart health, and metabolic health scans from its base.

Euroleague Basketball, the organiser of Europe’s premier professional basketball club competitions – the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup – and IMG, a global sports marketing agency, have announced the renewal of their partnership agreement. This extended collaboration will run through the 2035-36 season. Under the renewed agreement, IMG will continue to drive long-term growth for the league through media rights distribution, brand partnerships, strategic consulting, digital services, and streaming. IMG will also continue as the exclusive live events broadcast production partner.

As part of the Orlando Magic’s continuing commitment to innovation, the Magic will host the Orlando Magic Venture Challenge, Powered by LEAD, in collaboration with the DeVos family and LEAD Venture Corporation. Through the DeVos family and LEAD, the challenge will provide up to $US 750,000 in total investment capital to early-stage sports, health and wellness startup companies. The challenge will offer individual funding amounts between $US 50,000 and $US 200,000 for qualified startups. Applications open 6 January, with a six startups selected for a “Shark Tank”-style event on March 26 at Kia Center.

Disney is to merge its Hulu+ Live TV unit with sports streamer FuboTV, creating what is expected to be the second-biggest internet-based pay-TV outfit in the US after YouTube TV. The deal, which does not include the main Hulu service, will create a company with revenues of $US6 billion and more than six million subscribers across North America. The agreement paves way for planned Warner Bros Discovery, Fox and Disney sports streamer Venu. As part of the arrangement, the trio will pay $US220 million to Fubo, while Disney will provide an additional $US145 million loan in 2026.