Day: September 12, 2025

What sports technology trends are reshaping the industry?

From AI-powered performance analytics to immersive stadium experiences, these disruptive technologies are changing how fans engage with sport and athletes perform. As a result, the industry is generating new opportunities for revenue generation.

AI and ML technology are revolutionizing sports, enabling teams to scout talent using predictive algorithms and analyze game play footage. It’s also transforming training, as smart athletic devices track and record athlete movement data to create personalized coaching programs and optimize game tactics. It’s also optimizing operational efficiency, with AI-powered crowd management systems, facility predictive maintenance and automated security systems.

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are reshaping the way we watch and play sports. They provide immersive, interactive experiences for fans and help athletes improve their skills through augmented reality simulations. For example, augmented reality (AR) in sports can help coaches train their players by overlaying real-time performance data on video feeds, while VR lets fans take part in interactive gaming activities during live matches.

Moreover, smart athletic equipment and accessories are becoming more sophisticated. For example, a wearable device monitors heart rate and blood pressure during workouts, and an AR headset lets users shoot virtual balls through the net. In addition, computer vision tools like Hawk-eye help players hone their skills by tracking the ball’s trajectory and showing it as a moving image on screen.

This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to innovative sports technology. To succeed in the digital age, sports organizations need to integrate their technology stacks, understand customer behavior and deliver a seamless fan experience across channels. Otherwise, they’ll miss out on lucrative opportunities for engagement and monetization.

Whether they helped bring down Jose Mourinho, led marches against their club’s ownership at Chelsea or pushed back against plans to commercialize football, fans are a force to be reckoned with. And while their protests may be less dramatic than the giant tifos of the past, they are a powerful tool in the fight for change and respect.

While many critics argue that fan activism is a fad, recent events have shown that it’s far from a passing craze. Across the Premier League and MLS, supporters are expressing their discontent with their clubs. At Manchester United, fans are calling for an end to profiteering from loyalty; at Chelsea, there have been calls to boycott the club’s owners; and at Tottenham, supporters are upset with management decisions that have hampered their team’s performance on the field.

When covering stories about fans’ protests, journalists should focus on the reasons behind the demonstration and include background information on broader movements and relevant history. Additionally, when stories involve members of underrepresented groups, reporters should strive to humanize them by sharing details that help people better understand the person at the center of the protest. This could include writing about the person’s personality, hobbies and family to give readers a fuller picture of their life. Doing so may reduce the risk of dehumanization or delegitimization, and it can also boost perceptions of how credible the news story is. This study finds that telling a story in this way can be beneficial for all parties involved, including the person whose death was the trigger of the protest.