Sportstech & Member News

State Farm Stadium has extended its partnership with global point-of-sale (POS) provider MyVenue until 2030, citing the solution’s speed, scalability, and reliability for its decision. The stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, selected MyVenue as its POS provider in 2021. The end-to-end POS solution powers 580+ fixed and handheld devices across concessions, premium levels, and 140 luxury suites, as well as mobile ordering locations

SportWest has extended its partnership with SportsLink Travel for a further two years, with the leading sports travel business continuing as the organisation’s preferred travel and tour partner. Through the renewed agreement, SportWest Members will continue to benefit from commercial returns, including rebates, to enhance their travel experiences and deliver value back to sport in WA.

Saara Jamieson, founder and chief executive officer, Cool Beans Underwear has been named a finalist for the Paul Shetler Disrupter of the Year Award at the 2025 InnovationAus Awards. Saara Jamieson is a former researcher at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and the inventor of the world’s first testicular cooling medical device underwear, now registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia. The Cool Beans product is aimed at improved fertility through naturally optimising sperm health. The winner will be announced at the InnovationAus Awards for Excellence in Sydney on November 27.

From elite stadiums to venture capital boardrooms, the ASTN South Australian Sportstech Delegation’s recent visit to the United States has been a showcase of innovation, collaboration, and global partnerships. Held from 7–12 September 2025, the sportstech delegation from South Australia visited San Francisco and Los Angeles, engaging with leading sportstech companies, investors, government agencies, and academic institutions. Supported by the South Australian Department of State Development, ASTN facilitated a delegation program for nine South Australian-based sportstech businesses.

Avenue Capital Group has announced the final close of the Avenue Sports Fund, securing over $US 1 billion in capital commitments. The Avenue Sports Fund is designed to deploy both debt and equity capital across a broad spectrum of opportunities, including established leagues and franchises in North America and Europe; emerging leagues with high-growth potential; women’s sports; and sports-adjacent sectors including media, real estate, and technology. The fund has already made investments in TGL (tech-driven golf league), Cosm (immersive media and entertainment technology), US SailGP Team, and PGA Tour Enterprises.

WHOOP, a leading human performance wearables company, announced the launch of WHOOP Advanced Labs, a groundbreaking new feature that combines blood testing with continuous wearable data to deliver a complete picture of health. Members can upload past bloodwork results or schedule the company’s curated Advanced Labs panel, which tests an extensive set of biomarkers. For the first time, our members can see how their blood biomarkers and daily behaviors connect in real time. More than 350,000 WHOOP members have signed up for the waitlist of the new features.

Apollo have announced the launch of Apollo Sports Capital (ASC), a new investment business providing capital solutions across the global sports and live events ecosystem. ASC will invest predominantly in credit and hybrid opportunities in the sports landscape, spanning franchises, leagues, venues, media, events and more. ASC will build on Apollo’s established presence in sports, with Apollo’s managed funds having deployed approximately $US 17 billion to-date in the broader space, including investments in sports and entertainment companies, media rights, and stadium and league financings.

Videogame developer Electronic Arts has agreed to sell itself to a group of private investors in a deal that values the maker of "Battlefield" and "Madden NFL" at $US 55 billion. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners and private equity firm Silver Lake came together to buy the popular videogame maker with a combination of $US 36 billion in cash, equity already held by PIF, and $US 20 billion in debt financed by JPMorgan.

Global Sports Innovation Center (GISC) powered by Microsoft will soon open a new center (after Madrid & Singapore) with a vision, test and validate sports technologies in one of the most complete sports sandbox in the world in cooperation with the Valencian region, its venues, 50+ sports federations and sports events.

Football Australia and SBS today announced a landmark multi-year, multi-platform agreement to broadcast the inaugural Australian Championship on SBS, SBS On Demand and SBS VICELAND. SBS the exclusive linear television home of the Australian Championship for at least the next two years, showcasing 18 matches on Free to Air Television and live and free on SBS On Demand from the Group Stage through to the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and Grand Final.

Allwyn International, the lottery-led gaming entertainment company, and PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Allwyn to acquire a majority stake in PrizePicks. Allwyn has agreed to purchase an approximately 62.3% stake in PrizePicks for an expected initial cash consideration of $US 1.6 billion, implying an upfront enterprise value of $US 2.5 billion. 

Genius Sports a leading official data, technology and broadcast partner that powers sports, betting and media, announced that it has acquired Sports Innovation Lab, a leader in sports fan data. The acquisition fast-tracks the expansion of Genius Sports’ media business, combining the most comprehensive official game data with the deepest fan intelligence available. 

India’s sports industry is undergoing a strategic transformation from a cricket-dominated entertainment sector to a multi-sport, digitally enabled economic engine. According to KPMG in India’s latest report titled - “Sportlight - The Business of Sports”, the sector is now estimated at $US 19 billion growing at a CAGR of 12–14% and is projected to reach $US 40 billion by 2030. 

EVENT360 and KOJO, two of the most recognised names in sports presentation, are uniting under the KOJO brand (a PMY company) to deliver stadium ceremonies and premium game-day experiences to audiences around the globe. The rebrand marks the next step following PMY’s acquisition of EVENT360 in April, and a successful summer in which EVENT360 delivered sport presentation at major events including the Men’s and Women’s FA Cup Finals, The UEFA Nations League Finals in Munich, SailGP in New York and the 1888 Cup in Dublin.

Ankored, a youth sports safety and compliance platform, today announced the close of its $US 4 million seed funding round led by Rally Ventures. The investment will accelerate Ankored’s mission to simplify how youth sports organizations keep players safe and manage risk so they can focus more on the game. 

The Park is a virtual innovation hub led by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), designed to connect technology-driven companies with the Australian sports sector to tackle key challenges and unlock system-wide value. Through a six-month co-designed program, The Park will bring together selected technology firms, NSO/Ds, and the ASC to accelerate solutions from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 to TRL 8+. The initiative will focus on five foundational challenges - Harnessing data, AI and machine learning; Next-generation wearables; Digital twin technologies; Brain performance innovation and Environmental sustainability in sport. Applications close 31 October 2025.

Maria Baker, founder of female snow apparel company, Nobody's Princess, has been nominated as a Business News Australia Melbourne Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist. The winner of the Awards will be announced on Friday 24th October. 

Motorsport engineering company Cosworth has announced a strategic partnership with Next Level Racing as its Official Simulator Partner they continue to expand its presence in the simulation and esports markets. This collaboration represents a key step in Cosworth's strategy to integrate advanced simulation technologies with their core motorsport engineering capabilities. Next Level Racing has established partnerships with brands such as FIA, Ferrari, Ford and iRacing.

Snow helmet company Anti Ordinary has been named a finalist in the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards. The protective wear company has distributed its helmets to 53 countries around the world, and is being recognised in the Carers Queensland Small Business Award.

Athlete-backed sports investment firm APEX has added Red Bull Ventures as an investor as part of the final funding close of its early-stage Elite Performance Fund. APEX did not disclose how much it raised in this round or in total, though the company was previously targeting a $US 58.7 million fund. Europe-based APEX has more than 100 athlete investors, and its fund has already made investments into 11 early-stage sports and sports-adjacent businesses, including TGL parent TMRW Sports, digital asset management tool ScorePlay and human performance platform Output Sports.

Global Institute of Sport is proud to announce a partnership with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to bring students FutureSport 360. This programme is a 7-week online masterclass aimed at anyone looking to gain expert insight into various disciplines within the sports industry, such as sports law, marketing, data analytics, and more.

VueMotion is a computer vision AI machine learning technology company that works with professional and collegiate sports teams to introduce objective data into critical decision making processes. VueMotion enabling teams to capture and analyse data from the natural environment (ie practice and games) versus requiring athletes to be analysed into labs / academic environments. It helps coaches and athletes to understand the language of movement and introduces objective data to improve athlete performance.

Italian football club Como 1907 has announced the launch of Como Ventures, a startup and investment platform powered by The Players Fund, the world’s largest athlete-led venture capital firm. Como Ventures is designed as a founder-first launchpad. Startups will gain access to Como 1907’s global brand and local operations, while also tapping into The Players Fund’s network of athletes, capital, investors and operators. The program opens applications this week, seeking startups across six growth themes including luxury hospitality and travel, media technology, merchandising and retail infrastructure, health technology and human performance, next generation mobility, and sustainability. 

GameDay has announced the re-signing of Athletics New Zealand as a partner, continuing a successful collaboration that began in 2013. Over more than a decade, GameDay has supported Athletics New Zealand in streamlining their membership management and event registration processes. The platform allows for a seamless, centralised registration process across the National Body, Centre, and Club levels, with integrated payment management. 

ASTN has led a sports innovation delegation of South Australian companies to the USA from 6-12 September. A total of ten companies participated in the delegation including Cellr, Earthling 3.0, Rubber Side Down, Sportal, Launchd, Advanced Armour (by SWAARM), CME, Your Brain Health, MyVenue and Lumin Sports. As part of the itinerary the World Trade Center Los Angeles convened a  Sports Technology Industry Roundtable, Workshop, and Networking Reception — a milestone gathering in partnership with the Government of South Australia, the ASTN - Australian Sports Technologies Network, and the Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles. With the U.S. as the number one export market for Australian sports tech, LA as a global hub for sports innovation, and Australia as the 16th top foreign investor in the Golden State - the potential for cross-border R&D, market entry, and joint ventures is immense.

The Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN) and Dailymotion Pro, a global video solution provider, have announced a new partnership to bring ASTN’s long-running Sports Cutting Edge podcast series into a new video format. Together, the two organizations will launch a 10-episode vodcast series aimed at showcasing the latest innovations and voices in the Australian sportstech ecosystem.

ECAL, the world’s leading calendar marketing solution, has announced its official launch in France, in partnership with one of the country’s most popular and beloved sports organisations, the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR). The partnership brings ECAL’s smart, dynamic ‘Sync to Calendar’ marketing feature to fans of France’s premier rugby competitions, the TOP 14 and PRO D2. This technology delivers the latest match details straight to fans’ personal digital calendars, complete with direct access to ticket purchases, TV/streaming information, match centres, videos, news, and other key updates.

Private equity powerhouse CVC Capital Partners has launched a new global sports division, Global Sport Group, bringing together its $US 13.6 billion sports investments under one roof.  GSG will manage assets spanning LaLiga, Ligue 1, WTA, Volleyball World, Premiership Rugby, URC and Six Nations, while also targeting new opportunities worldwide. The division aims to unlock growth through shared expertise, operational excellence, and long-term investment, while preserving the independence of each league. 

FIFA has launched four new innovation challenges focused on artificial intelligence, refereeing and talent development. Companies, including start-ups and research organisations from across the world, are invited to submit proposals via the FIFA Innovation Portal. Applications are now open for solutions under the following challenges: audio transcription tool, basic referee body cameras, professional referee body cameras and innovative talent development tools. 

The NBA is seeking submissions for the fifth cohort of NBA Launchpad, the league’s initiative to source, evaluate and pilot emerging technologies that advance the NBA’s top priorities on and off the court. Priority areas include; the future of officiating, youth basketball player health and wellbeing, media and fan connection. Applications close 17th October 2025. 

A new high-speed camera has been installed at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC), operating at 100 frames per second (fps) and delivering timing accuracy down to 0.01s intervals. This updated technology, having been tested at Swimming NSW (SNSW) winter events, means SNSW has confirmed it will now validate records timed by Olly Timing at SOPAC. With the new camera in place, Olly Timing unequivocally meets the requirements of both World Aquatics Competition Regulations and World Para Swimming Rules and Regulations, enabling world records to be validated.

Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) has teamed up with etrainu, a leading online sports learning management system, to provide officials training on building a positive youth sports culture. The PCA's course, Honoring the Game, is based on the latest research into sports psychology. Honoring the Game is available for purchase through US Youth Soccer (USYS) University and can also be purchased by sporting organizations through etrainu. 

The Sports Management Association of Australia and New Zealand (SMAANZ) have announced that Professor Emma Sherry has been named the recipient of the 2025 SMAANZ Distinguished Service Award. Emma is currently a Professor at RMIT University and has been a driving force within SMAANZ, from her early days as a student representative on the Board through to key leadership roles, conference organisation, HDR workshops, and mentoring. She has also been instrumental in shaping sport management scholarship more broadly, with internationally recognised research in sport for development and gender equality in sport, and through her leadership in research groups such as the La Trobe Centre for Sport and Social Impact and the Swinburne Sport Innovation Research Group.

Talent identification and development platform Rookie Me has announced that they have been selected as a State Finalist in the 2025 Telstra Best of Business Awards. Among over 22,000 businesses nominated, Rooke Me were recognised as one of six finalists in Victoria under the category ‘Building Communities’.  Rookie Me's ecosystem of face-to-face products and SaaS solutions aims to unlock possibilities in the sporting landscape for individuals at every level, across various sporting codes.

SCALERR, a company that specialises in servicing startups and scaleups has announced a new partnership with OSOME. OSOME is a leading platform making business administration effortless for entrepreneurs worldwide. Through this collaboration, SCALERR's partners and clients will now have direct access to Osome’s expertise in company incorporation, accounting, compliance, and more, helping founders and businesses scale faster, smarter, and with less friction.

From 17–21 December 2025, the Southport Sharks will welcome 500+ international participants to compete in this world-class robotics challenge, the 27th International Robot Olympiad (IRO). The International Robot Olympiad (IRO) is more than a competition—it’s a global celebration of youth potential, technological curiosity, and cross-cultural collaboration. Each year, young participants from around the world come together to challenge themselves, build lifelong friendships, and share their passion for science and technology.

ASTN premium member and sports travel specialists SportsLink Travel, have been awarded Agency of the Year for the Envoyage Australia network with includes 450+ travel agencies across Australia.

Komo Technologies today announced major updates to its platform with the launch of its Engagement Operating System (OS), enabling brands to move beyond transactional campaigns and loyalty programs to build meaningful, engagement-first customer relationships. At the core of the new platform is Kai, Komo’s AI co-pilot, which helps marketers ideate and launch interactive campaigns in minutes. The Engagement OS also introduces Komo Loyalty, which rewards participation, attendance, and feedback, and enhanced Komo Surveys, designed to capture real-time customer feedback at peak attention moments. 

Layercake, a global leader in media workflow automation, has announced the integration of Ant Media Server into its Streamcake platform. This marks a significant step forward in intelligent streaming technology. The collaboration brings together sub-second real-time video delivery with automated scheduling and orchestration capabilities, enabling robust, scalable and adaptive media workflows for both live and on-demand experiences.

Apollo Global Management is preparing to launch a $US 5 billion sports investment vehicle, marking its first permanent capital allocation dedicated to the sector. The New York-based private equity giant, with more than $US 800 billion in assets under management, has already been active in sports, including a £80 million ($US 107 million) loan to Premier League club Nottingham Forest earlier this year. According to the Financial Times, Apollo will focus on lending to leagues and teams, as well as buying club stakes. The launch would add Apollo to a growing list of private capital players building long-term exposure to the fast-growing sports finance market.

The ASTN and Sports Tech World Series (STWS) have launched the 2025 edition of the Australia & New Zealand Sports Technology Awards. The Award presentation will be held in the Sports Innovation Week in Melbourne on 28th October. Entries are now open across the following eight categories - Stadium & Venue Tech, Sports Management & Ops Tech, Media & Broadcast, Fan Engagement, Esports, Fantasy and Gamification, Fitness & Wellness, Data Analytics and Equipment & Apparel. Applications close 12 October 2025.

The Governor has hosted the investiture ceremonies for recipients of awards in the Order of Australia in the 2025 King's Birthday honours. ASTN Co-founder and inaugural chair, James Demetriou received this Member of the Order of Australia (AM), in the King’s Birthday Honours, at the ceremony for his service to sport, to education, and to business.

ASTN has opened applications for Australian growth SMEs to participate in the 16th cohort of the ASTN Accelerator Program. The ASTN Accelerator Program provides free guidance & advisory for selected startups including access to a broad pool of ASTN experts, up to 20 hours free advisory as well as a number of themed workshops. More than 90 Australian sportstech companies have participated in the program over 8 years. These companies have raised more thank $AUD 85 million since participating in the program, and have generated more than 350 jobs. Applications close 21 September 2025. The program is supported by Queensland Investment Corporation and Meshpoints (a Spacecubed Foundation initiative) supported by Lotterywest.

Flinders University has announced that it will host the 32nd annual Sports Management Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference from 2-4 December 2026 in Adelaide. Adelaide is one of Australia’s premier sporting hubs, home to unique events such as the AFL Gather Round, LIV Golf Adelaide, the Tour Down Under and world-class cricket.

Australian sport is entering a defining moment. As AI and digital transformation accelerate globally, many of the models that have guided the sector are reaching their limits. Sports investment and advisory firm XV Capital explores how sports organisations can embrace change, strengthen leadership, and build the digital foundations needed for long-term success — with Brisbane 2032 as the catalyst.

Netball Australia is the driving force behind one of the nation’s most beloved sports, leading the game from grassroots to the global stage –  home to the world’s best netball league, Suncorp Super Netball. Netball Australia’s fan survey aimed to gain a deeper read on who their audience is, and was conducted as part of their marketing plan to reach new audiences and grow commercial outcomes. With over 4,000 fans responding to the survey Netball Australia were able to get deeper insight on their fans. This included Engagement Level - casual viewers vs core fans; Platform preferences  - where fans are, and where to spend ad dollars and Lifestyle insights - to fuel content and sponsorship ideas.

The National Football League and Front Office Sports (FOS), a leading multiplatform media and news organization covering the business of sports, have announced a new content partnership. The relationship will bring fans closer to the business stories that dominate mainstream conversation through access-driven and behind-the-scenes content from key NFL moments. FOS will collaborate on creative development and execution of projects tied to major NFL tentpole events, including NFL International Games, the Super Bowl, and the NFL Draft. 

Serena Williams has set her sights on new playing court: basketball. The retired tennis star has invested in the women's 3-on-3 basketball league, Unrivaled, now valued at $US 340 million. The Unrivaled league claims to offer players the highest average salary in professional women's sports league history. It began as a way for WNBA players to earn money in the offseason, without having to play abroad. Its second season tips off in January 2026. Bessemer Venture Partners, a venture capital firm, led the Series B investment round. 

Smart glasses company Minimis has been selected as the first-ever Aussie startup for The Pitch Show Season 14 in the US. Started in 2015 and part of the Vox Media Network, The Pitch Show is like Shark Tank. The Pitch Show digs deep with authenticity into founders’ stories and real pitches, following up with featured startups even after they’ve secured funding.

Adelaide-based sportstech company SportMatch has launched version 2 of their solution in the Apple App Store. SportMatch is playing an important role in talent identification for organisations such as the South Australian Sports Institute as well as supporting education for schools all over the State. SportMatch has engaged with more than 10,000 students / athletes to data, and enhanced student engagement in assisting them in successfully completing assessments relating to Health and PE. SportMatch are looking to work with Schools, Universities, Institutes and any other organisations who want to innovate their TalentID and PE curriculum.