Review 2022

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.