Day: October 4, 2025

When SportsPro first compiled this list of 20 sports technology trends in January 2020, the world was a very different place. Tokyo was preparing for the Olympics, social distancing was common practice at soccer grounds, and zoom was a sound you might hear at a Formula 1 race.

But the 2021 list outlined a number of innovative technologies that are set to transform the way athletes train, track their performance and engage with fans. Some, like fitness watches and social-viewing applications, are tackling short term issues caused by the pandemic while others, such as data analytics and personalisation, address long-term needs.

The latest wearables and video analysis tools have become game-changers for semi-professional sports clubs, providing access to high-level performance insights and allowing them to develop training programs that can improve athlete safety, mitigate injury risks and enhance competitive advantage. In particular, systems such as Catapult Vector allow coaches to see precise data on movement and workload, enabling them to create tailored training regimens for individual players.

Similarly, a range of smart sports equipment and fabrics have been developed to reduce injuries. For example, smart shoes or rugby-specific pads can include pressure sensors to measure force distribution and determine whether the player has absorbed a blow to the knee or back. Smarter helmets also offer a variety of protective features, including impact sensors and visors that detect concussions to protect athletes’ brains.

These advancements will continue to have a profound impact on the way sports is played and consumed. And they will also drive a transformation in how sports organizations operate and generate value.

Whether helping bring down Jose Mourinho, marching against their club’s owners or pushing back against plans to commercialize their sport, football fans have a long history of using their passion for the game as a vehicle to fight for change. This gallery, curated by AP’s Matias Delacroix, highlights some of the most memorable fan protest stories over the years.

On Saturday, fans of second-division Sheffield Wednesday stormed the pitch during their match against Coventry City, causing a five-minute stoppage in play as security cleared them away from Hillsborough Stadium. They were protesting against the club’s owner, Dejphon Chansiri, who has been struggling to pay staff wages on time.

Meanwhile, in Germany, Borussia Dortmund fans threw tennis balls onto the field during their match against Stuttgart to protest ticket prices. According to the BBC, some tickets to Tuesday’s game cost as much as PS64.

Thousands of West Ham fans also staged a protest against the club’s board before their Premier League game with Crystal Palace. The demonstrators gathered close to the club’s London Stadium home with banners and flags that read “just resign” and “sold a dream, living a nightmare.”

The Asian Games is the largest continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from across Asia, organized by the Olympic Council of Asia. The first Asian Games were held in 1951, just after the end of World War II, as an opportunity to reestablish the bonds between the peoples of the Asian countries that had been broken by the war. Since then, the Asian Games have grown into an important event that fosters friendship through sports and contributes to peace and prosperity in Asia.

The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City from September 19 to October 4, 2026 with 40 sports and 15,000 athletes and team officials from 45 countries or regions around the world. The theme of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is “Imagine One Asia,” aiming to promote Asia’s rich culture through the power of sport and to deepen exchange with other countries in Asia.

Cricket and Mixed Martial Arts have been formally approved by the Olympic Council of Asia to appear in the programme for the 2026 Asian Games, which are being co-hosted by Japan’s Aichi Prefecture and its capital Nagoya. The decision was made at the AINAGOC board meeting in Nagoya on Monday.

The AINAGOC is making arrangements to host both events, working with municipalities that have cricket facilities in the Aichi Prefecture as well as examining possibilities for venues in areas outside of the Aichi Prefecture such as Sano, Tochigi Prefecture. Those arrangements will be made in accordance with the Host City Contract between AINAGOC, the Olympic Council of Asia and the Japanese Olympic Committee.

Combat Sports are athletic competitions where participants fight in a controlled environment. These disciplines include boxing, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), and martial arts like Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and wrestling. Each sport has its own unique rules, techniques, and cultural significance, but all rely on the same fundamental principles of physical combat.

Throughout history, combat sports have evolved alongside human civilization, reflecting shifting social norms and technological advancements. From the gladiatorial spectacles of ancient Rome to the codified rules of modern boxing and the global phenomenon of mixed martial arts, the evolution of these athletic contests has shaped cultural views on violence and masculinity.

One of the major draws for children and adults to engage in combat sports is that it offers a way to channel aggression and frustration in a safe and controlled setting. By sparring with training partners and hitting punching bags, practitioners can release endorphins that reduce stress levels and promote mental well-being. In addition, participating in combat sports helps people to develop muscle coordination, concentration, balance and flexibility.

Furthermore, the rigors of combat athlete training often teach valuable lessons about discipline and sacrifice. Iconic champions like Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee and Conor McGregor inspire countless people to follow their path in the world of combat sports. Their stories of perseverance and triumph transcend the arena, resonating with audiences across cultural and geographical boundaries.

Combat sports are also a popular form of self-defense. Many of the moves that fighters and martial artists learn in a controlled setting are effective against attackers in real life. Moreover, learning practical self-defense skills gives children and adults the confidence to protect themselves in potentially dangerous situations.