🚀 Updating the Playbook - Monthly Top Stories
STATSports Acquired by Sony in Multi-Million Dollar Deal
Newry-based sports tech company STATSports, founded in 2008 by Alan Clarke and Sean O'Connor, has been acquired by Sony in a multi-million dollar deal. The company's advanced performance wearable technology is used by more than 800 elite sports clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool, Juventus, PSG, England, Portugal, New Zealand All Blacks, and South Africa Springboks. STATSports' GPS, heart rate and accelerometer sensors provide over 70 real-time metrics for immediate feedback. The acquisition integrates STATSports' wearable technology with Sony's Hawk-Eye and KinaTrax optical solutions, creating comprehensive tracking for performance analysis, officiating, and fan engagement. read more
Capgemini Becomes Official Digital Transformation Partner of Six Nations Rugby
Global technology company Capgemini has secured a five-year partnership with Six Nations Rugby through 2029, becoming the Official Digital Transformation Partner across men's and women's competitions including the Six Nations Championships, Quilter Nations Series, and Summer Nations Series. Capgemini will leverage AI and generative AI-powered innovations to deliver deeper match insights and enhanced data integration for fans. The partnership aims to elevate fan experiences through cutting-edge technology as Six Nations Rugby pursues global audience growth. read more
Tixserve Secures €2.1M to Expand Digital Ticketing Platform
Irish law firm Byrne Wallace Shields LLP has launched a specialist Sports Law Group led by Peter McKenna, former Irish rugby international and partner at the firm. The new division will provide legal and commercial advice to sporting organizations, athletes, event operators, sponsors, and technology innovators across governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, image rights, data privacy, sponsorships, and sports technology. The launch responds to Ireland's expanding sports sector driven by increased professionalization, digital transformation, and major event hosting read more
🦄 Performance Review- Report in Focus
Ireland's Sports Tech Surge - Why the Small Island is Punching Above Its Weight
PitchBook reveals Ireland's sports tech sector raised €224 million across 181 VC deals since 2014, with 93 VC-backed companies including Kitman Labs, Orreco, and STATSports creating globally adopted innovations.
Per-Capita Leadership Defies European Decline Ireland ranks #1 in Europe for sports tech deals per capita, growing 47.1% in 2024 while broader European activity declined 15.5%, demonstrating resilience.
Enterprise Ireland Dominates European Investment As Europe's most active sports tech investor with 19 deals since 2024—triple competitors—Enterprise Ireland backed over 40 innovators and supported half of Irish deals.
IP-Rich Portfolio Attracts Global Capital Irish companies hold 89 active patents in wearables, AR, and diagnostics, with innovations adopted by NFL, NBA, Premier League, and Formula 1 organizations globally.
Strategic Collaboration Drives Growth The IRFU-Enterprise Ireland partnership and Insight SFI Research Centre create testing environments, supported by 20+ sports science programs producing specialized talent for commercialization.
Technology Reshapes Football - From AI Officiating to Blockchain Fan Experiences
Football undergoes digital transformation through performance analytics, automated officiating, immersive stadiums, and creator-led distribution ahead of 2026 World Cup. A new report from SportsTechX identifies 10 major technology trends transforming football, with AI, computer vision, blockchain, and accessibility innovations.
AI and Automation Transform Officiating and Operations Bundesliga introduces RefCam footage, AI-powered 3D offside tracking mapping 21 body points, while FIFA deploys semi-automated offside technology and connected ball sensors at major tournaments alongside Kinexon and TRACAB expanding real-time data beyond officiating.
Next-Generation Stadiums Merge Physical and Digital Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium (Riyadh) features retractable roof, pitch, full-LED walls, transforming football to concerts within hours, while Lenovo-FIFA partnership creates in-seat entertainment systems and HoloBox enables virtual celebrity fan interactions.
Blockchain and Web3 Create New Fan Ownership Models FIFA's Avalanche blockchain powers FIFA Collect and World Cup ticketing ($20M+ sales), Sorare leads fantasy collectibles ($738M raised), while Barça Media launches Barça.Pass as clubs experiment with digital ownership and access models.
Accessibility Tech and Creator Broadcasting Democratize Access Seattle debuts world's first tactile soccer broadcast via One Court tablets for blind/low-vision fans, while Brazilian creator CazéTV streams entire 2026 World Cup and FIFA President appears on iShowSpeed's stream signaling creator-led distribution transformation.
🗓️ Home and Away - Upcoming Events
Sport.Forum.Schweiz
Switzerland's largest sports business congress
Dates: 3-4 November
Location: KKL Luzern, Switzerland
ESSMA Summit
European sports venue managers gather for innovation and operational excellence discussions.
Dates: 11-12 November
Location: London, UK
SportsPro Media Summit
Shaping the future of sports media
Dates: 18-19 November
Location: Madrid, Spain
Playing for the Planet
Shaping the future of sports media
Dates: 18-19 November
Location: Madrid, Spain
SportTech Nation 2025
Europe's premier sports technology conference gathers industry leaders in Munich.
Dates: 30 November - 2 December
Location: Munich, Germany
*Make sure to select: "Conference ticket – Sports Tech Nation"
Host City Conference & Exhibition
Global meeting of event hosts and organizers
Dates: 1-3 December
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
SPORTO Conference
Sports marketing and sponsorship conference
Dates: 1-2 December
Location: Portorož, Slovenia
🔥 Level Up Your Game - Career Opportunities
Funding Roundup
Till next time,