SportsInnovation 2024

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SportsInnovation on 20 and 21 March 2024 in Düsseldorf

Unique innovation trade fair brings technology applications in sport to life

The dates for SportsInnovation 2024 have now been confirmed. The industry event with an international orientation will take place on 20 and 21 March next year, with the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA in Düsseldorf providing the venue once again. The ‘Innovation Games’, in which the latest technologies and visions for the future are demonstrated live, will once again be at the heart of the event and its stand-out feature. DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga will be hosting the event together with the Düsseldorf-based sport event specialist D.SPORTS as well as the sport business conference organiser Spielmacher.

This will be the third edition of the innovation trade fair, at which numerous exhibitors from the areas of sport, media, technology and sports facilities present the trends of the future in their fields. The last edition of SportsInnovation in 2022 attracted around 1,200 visitors and saw more than 60 exhibitors from 17 countries showcase their innovative products, services and ideas for the future.

The DFL is a driver of innovation in professional sport and provided the impetus for the organisation of the first SportsInnovation in 2018. The DFL shares its innovative way of thinking with D.SPORTS which are familiar with major sports events in a national and international context. The conference organiser Spielmacher successfully hosts events of the same name and will again contribute its expertise to designing and implementing the conference programme as well as take responsibility for the area of sponsoring in relation to SportsInnovation.

Further details regarding SportsInnovation 2024 will be announced in the near future.

Vision Day

Conference Program

Dubbed “Vision Day”, the second day of SportsInnovation 2022 boasted a new feature: for the first time, the organisers of the innovation trade fair hosted a full-day conference, structured according to the topics that formed the basis for the first day’s Innovation Games.

“Sports Performance and Technology” takes centre stage

Following a welcoming speech by Andreas Heyden, Executive Vice President Digital Innovations DFL Group, and the

internationally renowned sports commentator Derek Rae, it was the turn of Shelly Palmer, CEO of The Palmer Group, to take the stage. His talk focused on the metaverse, with Palmer giving an overview of blockchains, the technology underpinning cyber currency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and also about the opportunities that can arise from digital property for fans and sports organisations in virtual worlds, which are becoming increasingly important as spaces for communication and interaction.

Next on stage was Tony Page, President of Sport Experiences at Deltatre, a leading company in the field of sports media applications. In his talk, Page explored how the numerous cameras and sensors deployed at modern-day sporting events can be utilised even more effectively to provide more in-depth match data. Page recommended increasing the level of standardisation among the data acquisition systems installed in stadiums and further consolidating the acquired data to offer fans both inside the stadium and elsewhere an immersive and highly personalised experience.

To discuss the expectations of Generation Z, in particular the concept of future sporting experiences,  host Rae was joined on stage by Frank Bohmann, CEO of the LIQUI MOLY Handball Bundesliga (HBL), Dr Maximilian Schmidt, global lead of KINEXON’s sports and media division, and Steve Hellmuth, Executive Vice President of Media Operations & Technology for the NBA. Hellmuth noted that the acquisition of visual information will be more important than ever to win over Generation Z and that this thirst for information should ideally be met by a range of compact and informative data services. Bohmann stated that not only the athletes themselves but also fans among Generation Z could strongly benefit from the solutions developed by KINEXON, which provides detailed breakdowns of player performance.

The talk given by Luuk Figdor, Senior Sports Technology Advisor (EMEA) for Amazon Web Services (AWS), focused on machine-learning. He stated how, in the world of sport, more and more data is being recorded that harbours enormous informative potential. To gain valuable insights from this, adaptive algorithms are needed that can make independent and near-instantaneous decisions about how this data is used – as is the case with the Bundesliga Match Facts Powered by AWS, created together with the DFL. This is what AWS is focusing on and, as Robert Klein, CEO of Bundesliga International GmbH, confirmed in a discussion with Figdor, this development is crucial for shaping the fans’ experience.

Transformation through digitalisation: new perspectives on the fan experience

The second content track of the SportsInnovation 2022 conference programme, “Fan Experience and Stadium”, kicked off by exploring how innovation and digital transformation have the potential to radically change professional sport. Guests included Joshua Helmrich (Director Media and Business Development for the American football league NFL), Andreas Heyden (Executive Vice President Digital Innovations for the DFL), Timm Jäger (CEO of EintrachtTech) and Emanuelle Roger (CEO of immersiv.io).

EintrachtTech, said Jäger, was founded to improve the competitive conditions for Eintracht Frankfurt through innovation and digitalisation, with one of the most important things being to further enhance the relationship between the fans and club by digital means too. Roger, meanwhile, described a range of exciting pilot projects launched in collaboration with the DFL and designed to create a whole new match experience with the help of augmented reality (AR) glasses. The question of what innovative services fans want is not easy to answer, said Heyden, but the most important thing is to offer a range of options and analyse their usage. The NFL, too, is conducting intensive fan-related research, including in collaboration with their media partners, said Helmrich. Among the aims here is to supply fans with data designed to give them even greater insight into what’s happening on the field.

Pioneering national and international projects

Dirk Lueth, co-founder of the metaverse-focused company Upland, outlined his vision in which the real world becomes

merged with the virtual. The subsequent talk with hosts Rolf Leister and Alexander Schlicher, CEO and founder of Fansea, discussed the possibilities and opportunities presented by the metaverse and Web 3.0 for the world of professional football.

Skarpi Hedinsson, Chief Technology Officer of the NFL team Los Angeles Rams, talked about an ambitious stadium construction project which was completed in 2020. The team’s home, the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, is one of the world’s most innovative sporting arenas. A ring-shaped LED display is suspended over the entire field and complemented by hundreds of additional displays throughout the stadium. Sophisticated, real-time 3D rendering technology delivers a whole range of exciting visuals for the spectators. The SoFi Stadium is also equipped with powerful wireless infrastructure that can easily support even the most intensive use of 5G, said Hedinsson.

Albrecht von Senden, CEO of Tipico Technology Services GmbH, talked about the role of sports betting as one of many forms of fan engagement. He outlined how Tipico, which operates in a data-intensive and highly regulated industry, utilises artificial intelligence (AI) and a scalable computing infrastructure to enable secure customer transactions.

In another discussion session, Maximilian Fürst (Team Manager Gaming Operation at Hertha BSC GmbH & Co. KGaA), Birger Nass (Senior Manager Security Management for the DFL), Kai Ruben (Head of Organisation at Borussia Dortmund) and Viviane Schmidt (Lead Solution Architect Edge and Data Analytics for Hewlett Packard Enterprise) focused on the diverse range of stadium innovations developed in Germany. Among the pilot projects coordinated by the DFL and DFB are drone systems for the stadium security services, AI-based people counting and control systems as well as a range of event management solutions.

Albrecht von Senden, CEO of Tipico Technology Services GmbH, talked about the role of sports betting as one of many forms of fan engagement. He outlined how Tipico, which operates in a data-intensive and highly regulated industry, utilises artificial intelligence (AI) and a scalable computing infrastructure to enable secure customer transactions.

In another discussion session, Maximilian Fürst (Team Manager Gaming Operation at Hertha BSC GmbH & Co. KGaA), Birger Nass (Senior Manager Security Management for the DFL), Kai Ruben (Head of Organisation at Borussia Dortmund) and Viviane Schmidt (Lead Solution Architect Edge and Data Analytics for Hewlett Packard Enterprise) focused on the diverse range of stadium innovations developed in Germany. Among the pilot projects coordinated by the DFL and DFB are drone systems for the stadium security services, AI-based people counting and control systems as well as a range of event management solutions.

New ways to the interactive sports experience

The third and final part of the SportsInnovation 2022 conference program, entitled “Broadcast & Content”, focused on panel discussions that explored new opportunities for producing content and tailoring it to specific target groups.

In one of the panel discussions, Haruka Gruber (Senior Vice President Media at DAZN), Steve Hellmuth (Executive Vice President Media Operations & Technology at the NBA), Dr Steffen Merkel (Director Audiovisual Rights at DFL), Laurent Petit (Senior Vice President Products and Solutions at EVS Broadcast Equipment) and Michael Reinartz (Director Innovation at Vodafone GmbH) discussed innovations in broadcast and production technology and the corresponding potential to revolutionise live content production.

Increasing importance of personalised options

Immersive and interactive streaming as well as a special type of sports betting were topics in the presentation by Patrick Mostboeck, Global Director for Videos & Streaming Products at Sportradar. The subsequent panel round on next-generation video content and fan engagement of the future also focused on the increasing importance of personalised options. Stefano Deantoni (Marketing Director at Infront Italy), Nils Franck (General Manager of Little Dot Studios Germany), Peer Naubert (Vice President Marketing at DFL) and Dennis Papirowski (Head of Partnership & Community DACH at TikTok) addressed various platforms for posting videos, their suitability for group-specific interactions and the participation of fans in the private lives of athletes via social media.

Mario Reis (Director of Telecommunications, Olympic Broadcasting Services) reported, among other things, on the use of camera drones at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. He also emphasised the emotionality of sporting events, which has to be transported within the framework of media production. Charly Classen (Executive Vice President Sports of Sky Germany GmbH) emphasised the importance of appropriate storytelling in the interaction with recipients, also and especially in dealing with the younger generation. He also highlighted the potential for more sustainability in the media production of the future.

Experience Day

Innovation Games

The first of two event days was entitled “Experience Day”, the focus of the day being three innovation games. Two women’s and four men’s teams competed in the innovation games, which were used to demonstrate future technologies live and explained by experts on stage.

First Innovation Game of SportsInnovation 2022 highlights the latest in media production

The first Innovation Game of SportsInnovation 2022 was dedicated to the topic of “Broadcast & Content”. On the pitch of the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA in Düsseldorf, the women of 1. FC Köln took on Borussia Mönchengladbach, while experts explained live demonstrations of future technologies in broadcasting and the processing of digital content, direct from the pitch-side stage.

Tim Achberger, Head of Innovation & Technology Management at DFL subsidiary Sportcast, was first to present, giving an overview of innovative camera and production systems. During today’s showcase, 90 cameras were installed in the stadium; in the broadcast area, various special systems were used, such as:

• a camera-equipped mini-drone that accompanied both teams onto the pitch before kick-off,
• a Railcam, which travelled along the edge of the pitch at high speed at grass level,
• the Rocketcam, which runs under the stadium roof parallel to the pitch,
• two aerial camera systems operating in parallel, which were used for a short interview with a player on the pitch,
• a camera that was controlled remotely from Hanover, as well as
• a vertical video setup for the production of a 9:16 broadcast.

Furthermore, Achberger presented a 5G application with direct cloud transmission of a match. Delegates also saw a new augmented reality application, which provides information on individual players as part of the live image – with the displayed data moving around the pitch with the respective player. All these camera and production systems increase flexibility and diversity for live production.

Personalising the fan experience

The presentation by Yitav Topaz (Vice President of Strategic Partnerships) and Ido Ratzon (Business Development, EMEA) from WSC Sports who focus on the personalised game experience for fans. The Israeli-American company specialises in automating the video production process, and with its AI-based cloud technology, WSC Sports offers sports media rights owners new possibilities for individualising broadcasts. Based on match recordings, individual highlight clips can be generated according to rules created by the user.

New options through virtualisation

Mo Goyal (Senior Director International Business Development) and Sebastian Ruchti (Sales Engineer DACH) from Canadian provider Evertz Microsystems Ltd., which specialises in film production and broadcast systems, presented the virtualisation platform “DreamCatcher Bravo Studio”. With the “Virtual Camera” function, users can process a high-resolution signal (for example in 8K) in specific sections and thus follow a specific player or the ball in a concentrated way. Data-driven workflows, artificial intelligence and “storyboard” templates simplify content production, increase efficiency and reduce costs, Goyal explained.

For the medialisation of sport, the technologies shown at the Innovation Games opened up forward-facing possibilities and highlighted an array of options for the delegates in attendance.

Collection of Match data takes centre stage during second Innovation Game

The U21 team of 1. FC Köln took on Borussia Mönchengladbach’s U19s for the second Innovation Game of SportsInnovation 2022 at the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA in Düsseldorf. The focus was the collection and processing of match data for use by the sports sector, referees and the media. Furthermore, Christian Holzer and Dr Hendrik Weber, board members of Sportec Solutions AG, talked about new goal-line technology system, which is based on seven different camera perspectives per goal. They were joined by Dr Jochen Drees, Head of Innovation and Technology at DFB Schiri GmbH. Sportec Solutions is a joint venture between Deltatre and the DFL.

The presentation continued by looking deeper into the collection, processing and use of match data. Coaches and players increasingly benefit from real-time data analysis, and performance analysts are supported by artificial intelligence, which utilises algorithms to identify typical movement patterns, tactical manoeuvres and match situations. Bundesliga Match Facts Powered by AWS, which have the same origins, are now established as a source of information for fans and the media.

The coach in your ear

Philipp Zacher, CEO of the Jena-based start-up Coachwhisperer, presented a system that allows the coach to address each of his players individually on the field. The earpieces, adapted to each player’s ear, simultaneously measure heart rate, oxygen saturation in the blood and the individual stress level of each player.

The ball that misses nothing

The “networked” ball was the focus of the presentation by Dr. Maximilian Schmidt, Global Lead of the Sports and Media Division of KINEXON GmbH. A chip integrated into the ball makes it possible to precisely track shooting speed, flight height and spin as well as passing paths. This also opens up new perspectives for performance and tactics analysis, as well as for data-based media content. The collection and automated analysis of individual player data makes it possible to gain more knowledge for coaches, while player data could also be made available to fans for a better understanding of match situations.

Third SportsInnovation 2022 Innovation Game: Blockchain, 5G Technology and Personalisation

While the U17 teams of Fortuna Düsseldorf and Bayer 04 Leverkusen met for the third innovation match of the day, experts spoke on the SportsInnovation stage about future prospects for the medialisation of sporting events, blockchain authentication and the arrival of the latest mobile technology in sports stadiums.

Moritz Mücke, Head of Digital Innovations at the DFL, described the innovation ecosystem that the DFL has built up in recent years. It is the basis for the development of numerous new media offerings around sporting events. One of the examples is the Interactive Feed, with which the DFL opens up additional, digital and personalisable access to Bundesliga matches. Fans can set up a personalised conference for themselves: Through preference settings, they can watch a match and receive parallel alerts on match events of other matches taking place at the same time. In addition, fans themselves can call up match-related information such as line-ups, player data, rankings or notes on record performances on their screen.

Mücke also addressed the potential of using 5G technology in sport. The latest mobile phone generation has a very low latency and a high bandwidth. In cooperation with Vodafone, the DFL has developed a stadium app for visualising data in real time. In addition, the Sky 5G Multiview app offers users in the stadium the possibility of calling up different camera perspectives themselves and thus displaying match highlights.

Demand-driven connectivity for the virtual world

The German company tividoo specialises in connectivity solutions for a wide range of transmission technologies. Founder and CEO Tobias S. Gramm presented the FNXP solution under the title “Fan Experience Multiverse – Bring Your Fans Back Home”, a platform that virtually brings together all fan-relevant content including media, social media posts and merchandising.

Blockchain use to prevent product piracy

David Geisser, founder and CEO of the Swiss company collectID, described his company’s innovative product authentication system. To prevent product piracy, the system combines blockchain with IoT technology. A blockchain as a decentralised database shared by many participants enables information to be transmitted in a forgery-proof manner and copies to be excluded. High-value products can receive an entry in the blockchain so that a unique product identity is created. This verifies authenticity and ownership.

Experience and Vision

SportsInnovation 2022 inspires 1200 guests

The two-day event offered exciting innovations, top-class speakers and plenty of room for exchange for the top decision-makers in the sports business.

1,200 invited guests were able to take an intensive look at the future of the sports business at the SportsInnovation organised and hosted by D.SPORTS, DFL, Spielmacher in the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA in Düsseldorf. With “Sports-Performance & Technology”, “Broadcast & Content” and “Fan Experience & Stadium”, three major topic areas were the focus of the two-day event on 11 and 12 May.
“Extended Reality or Metaverse are no longer foreign words in any stadium or professional club, but are increasingly becoming part of the strategic orientation and operational work of the players. SportsInnovation impressively demonstrated the high relevance of these topics for the future of our business. We experienced two days full of exciting technological innovations, top-class speakers and a lot of space for exchange,” Michael Brill, CEO of the organiser D.LIVE, summarised SportsInnovation 2022.

„Experience“ Day

After the opening by Donata Hopfen, CEO of the German Football League, and Michael Brill, the first day as “Experience Day ” and was dedicated to the “Innovation Games”. While three football matches took place on the pitch of the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA, the latest technologies were presented, from live cloud production in the data area to the innovative ecosystem and fan experience of tomorrow. At the end of the official part on the “Experience Day”, the US-company  Slate received the SportsInnovation Award for its tool for the creation and preparation of social media content.

At the big aftershow party on the MS Rhein Energie on the banks of the Rhine and the speakers’ dinner, the focus was on the personal exchange between the participants. “I think we hit the nail on the head with the SportsInnovation. We found just the right mix of networking and experiences at the pitch that you won’t find anywhere else. SportsInnovation 2022 is a great exhibition with innovation leaders showcasing their latest technologies,” said Andreas Heyden, CEO DFL Digital Sports.

„Vision“ Day

Speakers from international sports leagues, clubs, business and science shaped the second day. From the world of sports in the metaverse to stadium innovations that will shape the live experience of the future to global changes in the field of live productions – the “Vision Day” gave the guests an in-depth insight into the same topics that had been the focus of the “Innovation Games” the day before.

A total of 62 exhibitors from 17 countries and 1200 participants made SportsInnovation 2022 a successful event in a unique set-up. At the exhibitor stands in the Business Club of the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA as well as in the circulation of the lower tier, contacts were made and refreshed, ideas exchanged and innovations presented.

“We succeeded in bringing together the top international decision-makers from the sports business at SportsInnovation. The resulting cooperations will have a trend-setting influence on our industry in the coming years,” said Martin Ammermann, Executive Director Sports Major Events at D.LIVE. “I am pleased that together with our partners we were able to set new standards with SportsInnovation – both nationally and internationally.”

Industry Summit at SportsInnovation: 1,200 top international decision-makers in the sports business meet in the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA

On 11 and 12 May, 1,200 invited guests gathered in the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA for SportsInnovation. D.SPORTS is the organiser of the industry meeting for the first time and has organised and implemented the event in cooperation with the DFL (German Football League) and the Spielmacher agency.

“Experience” and “Vision” for the visitors
After the official opening of the fair by DFL boss Donata Hopfen and D.LIVE CEO Michael Brill, the first day was dedicated to “Innovation Games”. While teams played live football matches against each other on the pitch of the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA, the latest technologies were presented to the guests in the stands. Through the live application of the innovations to the game, the guests were able to experience the technological innovations at first hand. The content covered the topics “Sports Performance & Technology”, “Fan Experience & Stadium” and “Broadcast & Content”. In addition to the innovations, the focus at the after-show party on the MS Rhein Energie was on personal exchange, which many people had to do without recently due to corona.

On 12 May, speakers from international sports leagues, clubs, business and science gave insights into the latest developments and trends in the three major subject areas that were also the focus of the “Innovation Games”.

Michael Brill, CEO D.LIVE: “Extended Reality or Metaverse are no longer foreign words in any stadium or professional club, but are increasingly becoming part of the strategic orientation and operational work of the players. SportsInnovation impressively demonstrated the high relevance of these topics for the future of our business. We experienced two days full of exciting technological innovations, top-class speakers and plenty of space for exchange in the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA. With 1,2000 visitors, the event was fully booked and the atmosphere was excellent. A big thank you to our colleagues from the DFL and Spielmacher who, together with our team, planned and executed this event at the highest level.”

Martin Ammermann, Executive Director Sports Major Events at D.LIVE: “We succeeded in bringing together the top international decision-makers from the sports business at SportsInnovation. The resulting cooperations will have a trend-setting influence on our industry in the coming years. The fact that we, with D.SPORTS as the organiser, are at the centre of this exchange will help us in the future to further position ourselves as an innovative top location of the sports industry. I am pleased that together with our partners we have been able to set new standards with SportsInnovation – both nationally and internationally.”

Andreas Heyden, CEO DFL Digital Sports: “I think we have hit the nail on the head with SportsInnovation. We found just the right mix of networking and experiences at the pitch that you won’t find anywhere else. SportsInnovation 2022 is a great exhibition with innovation leaders showing off their latest technologies.”

Download the pdf here

D.LIVE GmbH & Co. KG
Marcel Ortmanns – Manager Sports Communication
T +49 (0)211 / 15 98 – 16 16
e-mail: presse@d-live.de
www.d-live.de

See The Future of Sports Business Today: Preview of SportsInnovation 2022 in Düsseldorf

“Broadcast & Content”, “Sports Performance & Technology” and “Fan Experience & Stadium” – on 11 and 12 May visitors to the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA will get a comprehensive insight into the sports business of tomorrow.

Düsseldorf, 09 May – The latest trends from the fields of sport, stadiums and media in an extraordinary set-up – this is exactly what SportsInnovation 2022 offers on 11 and 12 May at the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA in Düsseldorf. D.SPORTS / D.LIVE is organising the trade fair in cooperation with the German Football League (DFL) and the sports business conference organiser “Spielmacher” over two days on 4000 sqm for around 1200 invited, international top guests and 60 exhibiting companies.

“SportsInnovation is where the international decision-makers of the sports business meet in Düsseldorf. The innovations presented there under live conditions will significantly influence our industry in the coming years,” says Martin Ammermann, Executive Director Sports Major Events at D.SPORTS.

The trade fair will be opened on Wednesday (11 May) by DFL CEO Donata Hopfen and D.LIVE CEO Michael Brill. “SportsInnovation 2022 is a unique event where the latest technologies can already be experienced and applied live. We look forward to welcoming global leaders and representatives from sports technology, clubs, leagues and media companies to shape the future of our industry together,” says Donata Hopfen.

“SportsInnovation is where the international decision-makers of the sports business meet in Düsseldorf. The innovations presented there under live conditions will significantly influence our industry in the coming years,” says Martin Ammermann, Executive Director Sports Major Events at D.SPORTS.

The trade fair will be opened on Wednesday (11 May) by DFL CEO Donata Hopfen and D.LIVE CEO Michael Brill. “SportsInnovation 2022 is a unique event where the latest technologies can already be experienced and applied live. We look forward to welcoming global leaders and representatives from sports technology, clubs, leagues and media companies to shape the future of our industry together,” says Donata Hopfen.

“Innovation Games” as highlights of the first day

One of the special features of SportsInnovation 2022 will be the “Innovation Games”. During three football matches on the pitch of the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA, trade fair visitors will be presented live with the latest technologies within the thematic areas of “Broadcast & Content”, “Sports Performance & Technology” and “Fan Experience & Stadium”.

Presentations by renowned speakers characterise the second day

The Experience Day on Wednesday will be followed by the Vision Day on Thursday. Speakers from international sports leagues, clubs, business and science will give insights into the latest developments and trends in the three major subject areas that are also the focus of the “Innovation Games” in their presentations on the Arena stage.

In the “Sports Performance & Technology” block, for example, there will be a presentation on sports in the metaverse. The thematic area “Fan Experience & Stadium” is about the latest innovations around and in sports stadiums, among other things. The “Broadcast & Content” complex will provide insights into the future of live productions or how sports fans can be even more intensively involved in the active events.

SportsInnovation 2022 – the future of sports business starts now.

From the latest possibilities of tactical game analyses to the creation of an innovative ecosystem for the fan experience of tomorrow. Experts will explain the technologies as they are applied and used live during the “Innovation Games”. As the last major program item of the first day, the “SportsInnovation Award” will be presented in the afternoon (5 p.m.), which recognises the work and products of start-ups. At the end of the day, a big get-together will take place on the passenger ship “MS Rhein-Energie” in the form of an after-show party.

 

Your contact for further questions:

D.LIVE GmbH & Co. KG
Marcel Ortmanns – Manager Sports Communication
T +49 (0)211 / 15 98 – 16 16
e-mail: presse@d-live.de
www.d-live.de

See The Future Of The Sports Business Today

Preview of SportsInnovation 2022 in Düsseldorf

“Broadcast & Content”, “Sports Performance & Technology” and “Fan Experience & Stadium” – on 11 and 12 May, visitors to the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA will get a comprehensive insight into the sports business of tomorrow.

The latest trends from the fields of sport, stadiums and media in an extraordinary set-up – this is exactly what SportsInnovation 2022 offers on 11 and 12 May at the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA in Düsseldorf. D.SPORTS / D.LIVE organises the fair in cooperation with the German Football League (DFL) and the sports business conference organiser “Spielmacher” over two days on 4000 qm for around 1200 invited, international top guests and 50 exhibiting companies.

“SportsInnovation is where the international decision-makers of the sports business meet in Düsseldorf. The innovations that are presented there in live conditions will significantly influence our industry in the coming years,” says Martin Ammermann, Director Sports Major Events at D.SPORTS.

The fair will be opened on Wednesday (11 May) by DFL CEO Donata Hopfen and D.LIVE CEO Michael Brill. “SportsInnovation 2022 is a unique event where the latest technologies can already be experienced and applied live. We look forward to welcoming global leaders and representatives from sports technology, clubs, leagues and media companies to shape the future of our industry together,” says Donata Hopfen.

“Innovation Games” as highlights of the first day

One of the special features of SportsInnovation 2022 will be the “Innovation Games”. During three football matches on the pitch of the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA, trade fair visitors will be presented live with the latest technologies within the thematic areas of “Broadcast & Content”, “Sports Performance & Technology” and “Fan Experience & Stadium”.

From the latest possibilities of tactical game analyses to the creation of an innovative ecosystem for the fan experience of tomorrow. Experts will explain the technologies as they are applied and used live during the “Innovation Games”. As the last major programme item of the first day, the “SportsInnovation Award” will be presented in the afternoon (5 p.m.), which recognises the work and products of start-ups. At the end of the day, a big get-together will take place on the passenger ship “MS Rhein-Energie” in the form of an after-show party.

Presentations by distinguished speakers characterise the second day

The Experience Day on Wednesday will be followed by the Vision Day on Thursday. Speakers from sports leagues, clubs, business and science will give insights into the latest developments and trends in the three major subject areas that are also the focus of the “Innovation Games” in their presentations on the Arena stage.

In the “Sports Performance & Technology” block, for example, there will be a presentation on sports in the metaverse. The thematic area “Fan Experience & Stadium” is about the latest innovations around and in sports stadiums, among other things. The “Broadcast & Content” complex will provide insights into the future of live productions or how sports fans can be even more intensively involved in the active events.

 SportsInnovation 2022 – the future of sports business starts now.

Young, Fresh, Twitch

Platform on its way to becoming a mainstream medium

With the four-week beach volleyball event “Beach Liga”, the portal became a new domicile for live sports broadcasts in 2020. The interactive possibilities are especially well received by the audience under 35.

If you go to the Wikipedia entry on Twitch, the first thing you read is: “Twitch is an American video live streaming service that focuses on video game live streaming, including broadcasts of esports competitions, in addition to offering music broadcasts, creative content, and “in real life.” This is no longer 100 per cent accurate. Because eleven years after its launch, Twitch is long on its way to becoming a mainstream medium that is becoming increasingly important in the world of sports broadcasting.

Around 30 million people worldwide are active on Twitch every day, almost three quarters of these users are younger than 35, and more than 40 percent are between 16 and 24. This makes the platform attractive for advertising companies – but also for interactive sports broadcasts. At the latest with the four-week beach volleyball event “Beach Liga” during the first pandemic phase in 2020, professional live sport has moved into a new home on Twitch.

“During the Beach League, we reached over 1.5 million different people,” said Alexander Walkenhorst, himself a successful beach volleyball professional and founder of the sports content producer Spontent, looking back on the 30-day event last autumn. However, the success of Twitch is not solely dependent on the reach. “Depending on the length of the stream, ten to 20 percent of the users actively participated in the chat eight to 15 times a day,” said Walkenhorst, emphasising the interaction possibilities on Twitch.

Classic advertising banners are absent from Twitch; instead, partners are integrated into the broadcasts. In addition to subscriptions and the possibility of monetising one’s own streams through advertising, donations are another source of income. At the major beach volleyball events of the recent past alone, donations in the six-figure range were collected and paid out as prize money to the athletes.

“Can be a huge thing for the sports industry”

Twitch manages to do what classic TV broadcasting no longer seems to be able to do in a comparable form: pick up the younger audience and also offer a platform to sports that otherwise fall by the wayside. After the “door opener beach volleyball”, the Volleyball Bundesliga (VBL) decided to be the first professional sports league worldwide to broadcast the 2021/22 men’s season on Twitch. “The strategy has worked out very well at this point in time,” explained VBL Managing Director Daniel Sattler recently in an interim review. By the end of the intermediate round of the VBL season, the league had reached one million unique viewers.

Other sports have long since followed suit and broadcast major events on Twitch – these include the Final Four in hockey, the German Championships in 3×3 basketball or beach handball. “We want to help sports get the media attention they deserve,” says Walkenhorst. “Young sports and leagues that are digitally affine and have young people sitting on the relevant boards will also have better access in the long term.”

And what else is possible with Twitch in the medium term? Walkenhorst: “I expect that at some point everyone will understand how the system works. Twitch can be a huge thing for the sports industry and the way sports are broadcast. But you also have to really get to grips with it to understand what all is possible.”

Registration open: Guided Tours at SportsInnovation 2022

REGISTRATION OPEN: GUIDED TOURS AT SPORTSINNOVATION 2022

Would you like to take a look behind the scenes of SportsInnovation 2022 and get to know specially selected partners and their latest products?

Then join one of the Guided Tours on 11 or 12 May.

Our tours are open to all registered participants of the event and will help you get an overview of the venue, the programme and some highlights.

The number of participants on the tours is limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

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Broadcasting vs Streaming

The landscape of sports broadcasting

Not only due to the pandemic, the versatile and interactive streaming offers in sport have gained further in importance. Broadcasting is holding its own with the usual quality features.

Traditional broadcast or streaming option – a few years ago, if you wanted to follow your favourite football club or a special sporting event from around the world, you were most likely to choose the traditional broadcast. In the meantime, it can be said: User behaviour has changed. Internet connections that are many times faster as well as new and professionally managed platforms that also take into account the “special interest” factor have recently changed the landscape of sports broadcasting more and more.

Whether traditional broadcasting will be pushed into the background by new streaming options in the medium or long term remains to be seen. However, the most obvious disadvantage of the streaming offers of earlier days has long ceased to be one: Whereas the larger audience was initially missing, streams on YouTube or Twitch have long since generated figures that no longer have to hide behind those of TV broadcasts. In addition, clubs and leagues have also realigned themselves in this respect and adapted and expanded their own offerings.

One of the biggest differences between broadcasting and streaming remains the way viewers consume and interact with the respective content. Streaming apps are designed so that users around the world can watch the same thing in real time and interact with it if necessary. In a “normal” broadcast, direct interaction between recipients is not mandatory.

Pandemic temporarily put the brakes on sports streaming growth

Of course, the Corona pandemic in the past two years also brought completely new challenges to the broadcasting and streaming sectors. After the entire world of sport came to a standstill in the first quarter of 2020 and professional sport was only practised and broadcast again bit by bit, the associated framework conditions changed: Virtual audiences or reporters who did not commentate from the hall or the stadium initially needed time to get used to.

In the USA, for example, it took until October 2021 before the five major sports leagues NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS were back to the level of January 2020 in terms of streaming views. The situation was different in the European market, however, which was the first in the world to record slight growth during the pandemic in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The bottom line is this: Not least due to the pandemic, livestreams tailored to the user are enjoying ever greater interest – especially in the target group of 13 to 35-year-olds. Traditional broadcasting may (still) have a higher overall quality in the majority of cases and, especially with regard to leading sports such as football, not lose its significance and importance, but the professionalisation of streaming and its corresponding platforms is progressing more and more and offers the user new, welcome options.

 

Further texts on related topics from the fields of broadcasting and streaming will follow on the SportsInnovation website in the coming weeks.