ASTN Member News

In a stadium or live environment, AI should do two things: it should improve operations (time, cost, reliability) and lift commercial outcomes (conversion, per-cap, premium utilization). Both depend on reliable data across the venue. If the inputs aren’t trusted, the outputs won’t be either. According to PMY Group, where AI becomes particularly interesting in stadiums and venues is in connecting the physical environment with digital insight. The biggest opportunity is using real-time signals so operators can act during a live event, not after.

Supercars has partnered with Champion Data and WORKS to deliver new data-driven storytelling through a new fully integrated broadcast graphics package across the Supercars Championship 2026 season. Created in close collaboration with Champion Data's design agency WORKS, the project includes a complete visual overhaul for the 2026 season, spanning on-screen graphics, openers, animations, transitions, track maps, touchscreen integrations, and commercial assets.

Champion Data have announced the appointment of Travis Auld as Chair of the Board. Travis brings a wealth of leadership experience across elite sport and major events. He currently serves as CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and previously held senior roles at the AFL, Gold Coast Suns, and Essendon Football Club.

EngageRM has announced it has been enrolled into Microsoft’s FastTrack Portfolio Partner program, a strategic collaboration framework designed to accelerate customer success and ensure architectural excellence across Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Platform and Microsoft Copilot Studio implementations. It means EngageRM is currently the only sports technology company globally participating in Microsoft’s FastTrack program. 

The NRL and Advance Queensland are collaborating on a three-year Innovation Partnership that aims to help the NRL solve some of their pressing challenges through Queensland innovations. The NRL Magic Round Innovation Partnership aims to support Queensland-based businesses to refine and adapt their technologies to meet the needs of the NRL, its clubs and/or its partners, and address real-world industry challenges. In 2026, the partnership will deliver the NRL Magic Round Tech Showcase during Magic Round on Friday, 15 May 2026. Queensland-based organisations are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to exhibit under one of two streams. Applications close 30th March.

FrogBox is set to enter the New Zealand market bringing automated video capture, live streaming and shareable highlights to community cricket across the country. The expansion builds on the recently announced partnership between Frogbox and PlayHQ which will see the two platforms working together to deliver an integrated competition management, scoring and streaming experience for cricket communities.

Hockey New Zealand has officially launched on the free coaching and team management app CoachMate, marking an important step forward in supporting the country’s volunteer coaches and strengthening the delivery of community hockey. The launch forms part of Hockey NZ’s ongoing commitment to building a nationally aligned coaching environment that helps coaches develop, grow and inspire the hockey whānau.

The DGTO was introduced in 2022 and will head to a review next year. Many Australian game developers are hopeful it will continue to make an impact, and even be expanded for the years to come. Australia’s DGTO was introduced in 2022 as a means to reduce the tax burden on local Australian game development studios, in recognition of their contributions to culture and the arts. All studios with expenditure of $500,000 or above are able to claim a 30% refundable tax offset, with cost-savings transferred back to the business, to reinvest in new and more ambitious projects. Glinda Games was created to take specific advantage of the cost-saving offered by the DGTO, with the business built around supporting Australian developers.

LALIGA has joined as a partner of the GSIC powered by Microsoft's Groundbreakers Challenge. The Challenge is a platform designed to connect leading sports organizations with startups and technology companies capable of solving real industry problems. Illegal streaming continues to undermine the value of media rights, impacting leagues, clubs, broadcasters, and ultimately the sustainability of the sports ecosystem. LALIGA and GSIC are looking for innovative companies developing technologies that can help with this problem. Selected companies will have the opportunity to pitch live at the PEAK SportsTech Conference in Las Vegas in April, in front of global leaders from sport, media, technology and investment.

Layercake has partnered with the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) to deliver a unified digital ecosystem designed to support elite athlete development while strengthening community engagement.  The platform combines a dynamic public website with an integrated Learning Management System (LMS), providing more than 400 athletes across 45 sports with seamless access to training resources, education, and performance tools.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) will host the Future of Sport Conference 2026, a one day industry forum exploring how technology, data, smart venues, and commercial innovation are shaping global sport in the lead up to Brisbane 2032. Speakers will include Matt Pasco (Las Vegas Raiders), Brenda Suh (SoFi Stadium & Hollywood Park), Travis Auld (Australian Grand Prix Corporation), Manny Spanoudakis (PMY Group), Stuart Morgan (Champion Data) and Ben Shields (MIT Sloan School of Management). The Conference is on 27th March. ASTN Members receive 20% discount on tickets. 

Defence, aviation, apparel, fitness, healthcare. On the surface, these industries appear to share little in common. Yet each now falls within the expanding remit of Bodd, the Melbourne-based start-up unlocking human body data at scale. In under 90 seconds, the Bodd scanner generates a detailed profile of its user, recording a suite of physical measurements such as body composition and shape, as well as health metrics including blood pressure and heart rate. In December, Bodd raised $AUD 15 million in an oversubscribed funding round, valuing the company at $AUD 110 million. 

ASTN has opened expressions-of-interest for the 17th cohort of the Accelerator Program. Queensland and Western Australian-based startups will have priority access to the program, thanks to support from Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) in Queensland and Meshpoints in Western Australia. Selected startups will receive approximately 20 hours guidance from a pool of experienced mentors, as well as dedicated workshops on themed topics including business story-telling, investment pitching, international markets and sports systems. Applications close 16th March. 

ASTN Member companies Cellr, Myriad Studios, SportsAI, SWAARM and LSKD are amongst the many exhibitors in the leadup to the NRL Games at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, 28 February. In addition, NRL hosted player signing sessions as part of Ozfest, prize draws and ASTN and its member companies participated in the sports innovation and tech showcase.

Australian sports broadcasting innovator Layerckae has been shortlisted in two categories at STA Smarter Sports Awards for 2026. Layercake, with their solution, Streamcake, has been shortlisted in the Smarter Sports Broadcast and Production category and the Smarter Innovation of the Year category. The awards attract entries from 30+ countries. Winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony in May. 

Australian video-based swimming timing system Olly Timing, is embarking on international expansion including the UK. Olly Timing will be demonstrating at the Swim England Summit on 19th March. Olly supports organisers, officials and operators to strengthen operational resilience, manage volunteer workload and enhance the overall competition experience.

Twinlabs.ai and myFitApp have announced a partnership that combines myFitApp’s digital member experience with TwinLabs’ AI capabilities. The collaboration is focused on helping fitness operators better understand their data, move faster, and make smarter decisions, all without adding complexity. The solution positively impacts class utilisation, staffing efficiency, and member satisfaction.

ASTN is strengthening sportstech ties between Australia and New Zealand through a new collaboration with the team behind the Grit Works Queenstown Cycling Hardware Accelerator. Designed for early-stage cycling and outdoor hardware founders, the programme supports innovators to move from concept and prototype through to manufacturing-ready, globally deployable products. Founders will also gain exposure to ASTN’s broader sportstech ecosystem across Australia - expanding networks, expertise and commercial pathways. The 11-week accelerator kicks off on 27 April and is now open for applications.

Transact + CBORD, an award-winning leader in innovative campus technology, have announced a new agreement with leading global sports and entertainment point-of-sale (POS) provider MyVenue, which will change the game for campus commerce across collegiate sporting and special events. The partnership allows students to use stored-value campus funds for concessions purchases inside stadiums, arenas, and hospitality venues.

The AFL and Telstra have announced a two-year partnership with Champion Data to trial cutting-edge Optical Tracking Technology at Marvel Stadium, representing a significant advancement in football technology and innovation. A program that is set to pioneer the way AFL stadiums could look in the future, the trial will see more than 40 cameras installed at Marvel Stadium, creating a sophisticated data capture system designed to transform multiple aspects of the game.

Emma Thomson, Founder of Pitch It up, has been announced as a recipient of a 2026 Brisbane Lord Mayor's Women in Business Grant. Pitch It up have developed a unique light-weight balls are safe for players and students of all ages, including All Abilities participants with neurodiverse and physical disabilities. The Pitch It Up training aid that can be adapted to suit every player's individual skill level, and can be safely used at home, in the park, at the cricket nets, in schools and in clubs. Pitch It Up are expanding their portfolio to include an audible ball allowing vision-impaired students and players to train safely at home.

Active Education Australia and the Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund (SESF) have announced a national collaboration, united by a shared commitment to supporting active, healthy lives for young people across Australia. This partnership champions access, opportunity, and equity in sport, health, and physical activity for young people. By sharing networks, platforms, and communication channels, the partnership aims to amplify impact and create clearer pathways for young people to stay engaged in sport and physical activity.

LX Health is strengthening its SportsTech focus for 2026 through a partnership with the National Rugby League (NRL), reinforcing the LuminaX HealthTech Accelerator’s commitment to technologies operating at the intersection of health, performance, and elite sport. For the 2026 cohort, LuminaX will continue supporting startups across injury prevention, concussion and brain health, recovery and rehabilitation, performance analytics, wearable technology, digital health platforms, and athlete wellbeing. 

PlayHQ, a global leader in competition management platforms, and Rugby Canada have announced a strategic partnership set to modernize registration infrastructure and unlock player development insights across Canadian rugby. The partnership provides Rugby Canada and provincial organizations an integrated platform that will consolidate provincial operations into one unified view, giving administrators the tools to manage registrations, compliance, competitions, and communications from a single interface.

Melbourne-based AI sports tracking platform Superstat has officially been announced as one of 19 startups in the Startmate Accelerator program (Summer 2026). Startmate has invested $AUD 2.28 million in the cohort, giving each startup $120,000 for a 7% stake. Superstat delivers automated stats and actionable insights, not just numbers, helping teams strengthen what works, fix what doesn’t and giving clubs an unfair, game winning advantage.

The Groundbreakers Challenge is a global open‑innovation call designed to connect the most promising sport‑tech startups with real industry challenges from leading sports organizations. In this edition, through GSIC’s proven methodology and PEAK Conference’s world‑class stage, selected startups gain the opportunity to pitch live in Las Vegas, engage directly with decision‑makers, and unlock potential pilot collaborations that can accelerate their impact worldwide. Deployable products and solutions across fan engagement, media tech and sponsorship, venue management and athlete performance. Applications close 15 March.

Basketball Australia has unveiled its revolutionary Coach Development Framework this week, establishing flexible coaching pathways designed to support basketball mentors nationwide from grassroots to elite levels. The Framework blends online modules, face-to-face sessions, practical experience, and self-directed learning, providing coaching education to suit any location or schedule. Basketball Australia has partnered with etrainu and their online education platform as well as Coach Logic where coaches receive feedback and actionable advice on their development.

The Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN), announced new agreements with the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) and the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games (DSROPG), to deliver a program of work aimed at strengthening Queensland’s sportstech and sports innovation ecosystem. The initiative aligns with Queensland’s broader innovation, economic development and legacy objectives as the State continues to build momentum toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and reinforces Queensland’s position as a nationally and internationally relevant hub for sports innovation.

ASTN has announced two major international engagement opportunities in March and April 2026. These initiatives are designed to elevate Australian sportstech companies on the global stage, open new pathways into international markets, and strengthen Australia’s presence across the sports innovation ecosystem. ASTN and its delegation will be part of SPORTEL Singapore 24-25 March and PEAK Conference in Las Vegas 20-22 April. Exclusive opportunities, including exhibiting within the 'ASTN hub' at PEAK and priority access to participate in SPORTEL's Pitch Perfect competition, will be provided to delegates. 

Professional Australian baseball team, the Adelaide Giants, identified the value in digitising the fan experience and partnered with Cellr to design and deploy a multi-layered strategy that amplified engagement, attendance, and revenue. Cellr provided expertise and insights to strategically support the Adelaide Giants vision, and rapidly deployed the Cellr platform to support 4 key activations fan engagement, CRM growth and attendance lift.

Minimis is consolidating the $US 20 billlion wearables market by merging the sports watch and bike computer into a standalone head-up display sunglasses. Minimis Flow will let runners and cyclists track and see everything they need within a lightweight pair of sports sunglasses, without dependence on any other device. The glasses will be fully standalone with a built-in optical heart rate tracker, ANT+ chip, GPS, eSIM and more. This enables athletes to leave their phones at home and make calls on the go. The funding round was backed by Entrepreneur VC, technical leadership from Microsoft HoloLens and a US track cycling champion.

The Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN), in partnership with LIV Golf, delivered a ASTN & LIV Golf Sportstech Showcase & Industry Event in Adelaide on 10th February, celebrating South Australia’s growing sports innovation and technology ecosystem. Held in the lead-up to LIV Golf Adelaide, the event brought together leaders from sport, technology, data, media, startups, investment and government to explore how innovation is shaping elite performance, fan engagement and the future of professional sport. Panelists included leaders from LIV Golf, Champion Data and the Adelaide Crows FC.

Volleyball NSW has announced a new partnership with Club Ducks, aimed at supporting Premier League clubs with a modern tool to better manage their current and future sponsors. Through the partnership, Premier League clubs will gain access to Club Ducks’ sponsorship management platform, a purpose-built resource designed to help clubs organise, maintain, and grow their sponsorship and partner relationships. The platform enables clubs to track existing sponsors and deliverables, while also providing tools to create professional pitch decks that can be used to attract new commercial partners. 

Nine new companies have joined Tennis Australia's AO StartUps, strengthening theircommitment to AI enabled innovation across sport and major events. The new cohort includes VueMotion, Bettercup, CRED, Bronco, truefuels, National Pickleball League, Aircast, RootNote and Outcoach. This reflects the program’s commitment to shaping the future of sport, sustainability, fan engagement and performance through real world experimentation at the Australian Open. A total of 41 startups have piloted their solutions with AO Startups over the last 4 years.

ESG Perform has launched a game-changing platform to help companies benchmark their reporting of Environmental, Social and Governance performance. ESG Perform have built a platform comprised of 23 measurable elements as a benchmark for companies to measure performance.

PBR Australia, in partnership with SportsAI, has announced the official launch of the Watch PBR Australia LIVE app for the 2026 Monster Energy Tour season. This platform builds on traditional livestream viewing and redefines how fans connect and engage with live sport and its athletes, delivering a fully immersive 360° virtual reality experience, live from inside the arena. The app blends live sport, immersive technology and interactive viewing.

Volleyball WA has announced a new partnership with FrogBox, an Australian sports technology company that connects sporting communities through accessible and shareable video. FrogBox will introduce its live-streaming technology to the sport, allowing matches to be easily broadcast, shared and accessed by athletes, officials, supporters and the wider community. The partnership will be piloted at the Alcohol. Think Again Beach Tour (ATABT) WA Open 2026.

The Japan Australian Sports & Health Innovation Exchange (JASHIE), which is hosting a series of events in Queensland from 16-20 March, is offering Australian sportstech and healthtech startups the opportunities to pitch to one of Japan's leading sports businesses, Mizuno Corporation. Mizuno is actively seeking partners developing technologies in two interest areas including mental training, running, smart arenas, exercise performance visualisation, body temperature, sleep and body odour. ASTN is a partner in the JASHIE program, and is promoting the program to its member-base.  

Nominees for the fourth Sports Business Tech Awards have been announced, with South Australian company, MyVenue nominated in the category for Venue and Franchise Operations Technology. Spanning eight different categories, the 46 finalists were selected by the Sport Business Journal (SBJ) in-house judging committees for their innovation, creativity, organizational excellence, industry influence, and leadership over the past year. External judging panels will now determine the winners, who will be revealed on May 18 at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City. 

Melbourne-based sports technology company PlayHQ has entered a binding agreement to be acquired by Alpine Software Group (ASG), marking a significant cross-border transaction in the global sports and recreation technology sector. The acquisition will see PlayHQ become part of ASG’s growing portfolio of vertical SaaS businesses. ASG has acquired more than 45 software companies since 2016, focusing on scalable platforms serving highly specific industry sectors. The PlayHQ platform manages registrations, payments, competition administration and game-day operations, having processed more than 11 million registrations and scheduled 3.1 million games.