SportsTech Weekly Roundup: Blockchain Adoption, and Strategic Partnerships
From Manchester City's AI-powered kit design to investments in women's sports, this week's roundup showcases the power of technology across the sporting landscape.
Welcome to another groundbreaking week in sports tech, where innovation continues to reshape the sports industry at an unprecedented pace.
The convergence of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and immersive experiences is creating new possibilities that were once confined to science fiction. From traditional powerhouses embracing cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging leagues securing major funding rounds, we're witnessing a remarkable transformation in how sports are played, experienced, and monetised.
Buckle up as we explore this week's most significant developments that are setting new benchmarks in the intersection of sports and technology:
Image source: MCFC
Manchester City FC and PUMA launched an AI football kit design platform for fans to design the official third kit for the 2026/27 season
World Aquatics and Sony Corporation announced a 4-year partnership to 2028, aiming to transform the fans engagement and consumption of aquatic sports
New York Red Bulls and Sports Illustrated Tickets announced a 13-year partnership, with Avalanche network powering the stadium’s ticketing system from 2026
United States Tennis Association announced a new collaboration with global venture corporation LEAD for strategic sports-focused investments
The content data subsidiary of Nielsen, Gracenote, launched Gracenote On Sports, a metadata solution that helps video providers with sports event data
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said that the brokerage firm is considering expanding into sports betting in the form of event contracts
Vislink and Focal Point VR were awarded the ‘Best Innovation Project’ for ASPIRE at Broadcast Tech Innovation Awards 2024
The FIA, motorsport’s global governing body, approved the creation of an esports regulatory framework, dubbed the FIA Esports Code
ESPN and ESPN Edge partner with Meta to launch ESPN Tailgate, a sports-themed virtual reality experience now on the Meta Quest platform
Image source: Plasmaide
PLASMAIDE announced an investment from Olympic Gold Medalist and Ironman World Champion Kristian Blummenfelt as the company expands its footprint to Europe
NBA team Detroit Pistons NBA announced a partnership with immersive AI technology company, MeetKai, to launch a new virtual arena experience for fans.
Lucra, a social gamification technology company, announced it has raised $10 million from 7GC, SeventySix Capital, Steve Kuhn and others
Nodwin Gaming, a gaming, and esports company, received approval of $7.7 million funding from parent company Nazara Technologies for expansion
Golftrk, a golftech startup, raised $675K in a seed round, with contributions from the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit (KAITC) programme
Capital Q Ventures, Inc., a sports performance and investments venture, announced an investment and partnership with NESTREâ„¢ Health and Performance
Image source: Stats Perform
Stats Perform announced that it extended its media data partnership with Football DataCo, with Opta sports becoming the official insights provider for FDC competitions
PLATFORM Golf, a golf technology company, has launched following a rebrand and multi-million dollar investment
Latent AI, an AI solutions company, partnered with FSP to launch the FSP Trusted Sports Network-the first AI-verified scoring platform, set to debut on the Million Dollar Roll
Amagi, the cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcasting, announced the acquisition of Argoid AI, an AI company specializing in recommendation engines for OTT platforms
Sportlight, a provider of Lidar-based tracking systems, partnered with Flyers to repurpose the tracking technology for ice hockey
The Atleta Network, under its ATLETA Grants Programme, announced its partnership with sports entertainment blockchain, MetaSoccer
Image source: Tech Radar
Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo launched his own performance and recovery tech brand, AVA, formed in partnership with Brazilian equipment manufacturer Avanutri
The NWSL announced a partnership with Fastbreak.ai, the AI-powered sports scheduling platform, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and improving fan experiences
Baller League, the six-a-side football competition, announced the $25 million in funding raise led by EQT Ventures, ahead of its launch in the UK and US next year
Women's basketball league, Unrivaled announced the closure of its $28 million oversubscribed Series A investment round led by the Berman Family
As we close another remarkable week in sports tech, it's evident that the industry is experiencing a paradigm shift driven by technological innovation. The impressive mix of AI integration, from Manchester City's fan engagement initiatives to Fastbreak.ai's scheduling solutions, demonstrates how artificial intelligence is becoming deeply woven into sports' DNA. Meanwhile, the substantial investments in ventures like Baller League and the Unrivaled women's basketball league signal growing confidence in sports' digital future.
What's particularly striking is the diversity of innovation across different sports verticals - from aquatics to golf, to football and esports. The FIA's new esports framework and Meta's partnership with ESPN highlight how the lines between traditional and digital sports continue to blur, creating richer, more engaging experiences for fans worldwide.
The future of sports is being written in code, powered by AI, secured by blockchain, and experienced through immersive technology. As we look ahead to next week, one thing is clear: we're not just watching sports evolve - we're witnessing the birth of an entirely new playing field where technology and athletic excellence converge to create unprecedented opportunities.
Stay tuned for our last edition of the year, where we'll continue to track these revolutionary developments and uncover the latest innovations shaping the future of sports. If you've found value in these insights, share them with your network of sports and technology enthusiasts. Until next week, keep innovating and stay ahead of the game!