SportsTech Roundup: Web3 Wins, AI Acceleration, and Global Game-Changers

From blockchain partnerships to AI-powered innovations, this week's roundup showcases the unstoppable momentum of sportstech across the globe.

Hold onto your smart jerseys, sports tech enthusiasts! Another whirlwind week in our dynamic industry has sprinted by, leaving us with groundbreaking developments to analyse. We're witnessing a full-court press of innovation, with blockchain and cryptocurrency making power plays across multiple sports, while AI continues to revolutionise everything from fan engagement to performance analysis.

This week's playbook spans continents and sports, showcasing the truly global nature of sports technology innovation. From European football giants embracing crypto to AI transforming horse racing in Hong Kong, and from esports expansions in the Middle East to cutting-edge stadium tech in the NFL, the sportstech field is more electrifying than ever. So, lace up your digital cleats as we sprint through this week's most impactful stories:

Image source: SportsPro

1. SportsPro, in association with Stats Perform, explored AI's impact on the future of sports with insights from leading tech players this past week

2. BlockDAG enters into strategic partnership with Inter Milan to become Italian club’s official blockchain partner

3. Tixbase, a blockchain-based ticketing platform, and Passo, a Turkish event ticketing company announced a 5-year partnership

4. Austrian tennis player Dominic Thiem becomes brand ambassador for Austrian crypto unicorn, Bitpanda

   

   Image source: RB Leipzig

5. Crypto platform Kraken partners with Bundesliga club RB Leipzig to become the sleeve sponsor

6. Qiddiya has partnered with Geekay Group to revolutionise esports with unique phygital experiences in the Middle East's gaming sector

7. Blockchain Sports partners with Alpha Jossor Investments in a project worth $3.3 billion to tap into the Middle East’s sportstech landscape

8. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation along with Immerso AI-IP announce strategic partnership to invest $1B in Malaysia’s first AI movie studio

9. Sports marketing agency Two Circles has expanded into Germany with new Cologne office

   

   Image source: Williams F1

10. Williams Racing announced a new partnership with Latin American e-commerce and digital payments company Mercado Libre

11. BioTechUSA entered into a partnership agreement with FC Barcelona to become the club's new global sports supplement partner

12. Ferrari and UniCredit announce multi-year partnership, replacing the F1 racing team’s previous partner Santander

13. The NCAA blocked Oklahoma State from wearing QR codes on its players' helmets, touting a rule violation

14. The Hong Kong Jockey Club set to introduce a cutting-edge, AI-driven customer experience designed to revolutionise fan engagement in horse racing

15. D2C sports nutrition startup Nutrabay raised $5 million in series A funding round led by RPSG Capital Ventures

16. Czech soccer’s League Football Association announced a new partnership with AI-powered video content provider WSC Sports

17. Olympic gold medal sprinter Darren Campbell has become the global track strategy director for sportstech company Feldspar

18. The Esports World Cup Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Media Group’s National Institute for Esports Development and VSPO

19. Indian-based sportstech startup Spolto has raised  $1 million in a seed round led by Andrew Johnston

20. CoinEx celebrated the Olympics, blending sports with Web3 technology, with a series of dynamic sporting events across India

21. Layer-1 blockchain Flow is bringing its Flow World Tour builder series, which includes DeFi, sports, social, and gaming to Singapore

22. Synamedia will showcase AI video processing network solutions for live sports streaming services, pVMAF and ad insertion at IBC 2024

23. The Basketball Federation of India in collaboration with Jet Skyesports as the esports partner announced the launch of the eFIBA India Qualifiers 

24. Esports and merchandise company We Are Nations announced a partnership with esports platform SuperPOG to launch an esports fantasy prediction app, NationsPOG

25. Drone Racing League owner, Infinite Reality, announced a 5-year agreement with Google Cloud to provide 3D design and AI-based services 

26. Alpine Web3 have partnered with Everdome, aimed at transforming fan engagement by delivering immersive digital experiences

    

    Image source: Sportcal

27. Bitpanda and the National Football League (NFL) announce a new partnership in Europe, making the crypto company the official partner ahead of the 24/25 season

28. CBS Sports set to debut a new look Studio 43 for the 2024 NFL season, integrating enhanced technology upgrades 

29. The IBM SlamTracker displays AI-generated insights, shot data and live ball flights in 3D for match viewers in real-time

30. Major League Baseball announced the league’s virtual ballpark will host interactive watch parties for select games

31. SportAI announced its partnership with racquet sports booking platform, MATCHi, to bring AI-powered sports technique analysis to players worldwide

32. Louisiana Tech Athletics announces the launch of the Louisiana Tech Sports Performance Institute

33. Teamworks announced the acquisition of the sports intelligence platform, Zelus Analytics to deliver data sources to sports organisations and athletes 

34. The tennis channel partners with Lingopal.AI for AI-generated English-to-Spanish dubbing for the upcoming Guadalajara Open Akron

35. Bridge Technologies partners with Norwegian-based Pixotope to deliver enterprise IP broadcasting through the latest tech

36. Plantiga Technologies Inc. and Fobi AI Inc., two Vancouver-based tech companies secure deals as part of Comcast's SportsTech Program

37. Amazon to expand its Just Walk Out AI-powered shopping technology to 24 NFL stadiums and college campuses in the US

38. CoinW, a cryptocurrency exchange announced its official sponsorship of 3 tennis athletes at the 2024 U.S. Open

39. Chyron announced two new updates to its sports analysis suite with illustrated replay and virtual graphics

40. The Saudi Pro League (SPL) announced TikTok as its digital partner, to boost its digital presence globally and elevate fan experiences

41. Architecture firm Populous partners with the College Baseball Foundation to render designs for the College Baseball Hall of Fame in Kansas

    

    Image source: UEFA

42. OPPO announced that it has renewed its partnership with UEFA for the next 3 seasons (2024-2027), covering multiple European competitions

43. The Sports Tech Research & Innovation Summit 2024 is set to take place from the 18th-20th September in Ghent, Belgium 

As we cross the finish line of this week's roundup, it's clear that the convergence of blockchain, AI, and immersive technologies is not just enhancing how we play and watch sports – it's fundamentally reshaping the entire sports ecosystem.

From the boardrooms of major European football clubs to the innovative startups in India and Malaysia, we're seeing a global commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in sports. The lines between physical and digital experiences continue to blur, creating new opportunities for fan engagement, athlete performance, and business models.

Whether you're an athlete, a fan, an investor, or a tech enthusiast, there's never been a more exciting time to be part of this revolution. Remember, staying ahead in this fast-paced world means staying informed and connected. Share this newsletter with your network and join the conversation about the future of sports tech. Until next week, keep innovating, keep pushing boundaries, and keep your eye on the ever-evolving intersection of sports and technology. Game on!