Sports remain a prominent sector of the entertainment industry. And with technology growing at its current rate, it is only natural that the sports sector will bloom at an astounding pace too. From VAR and air-conditioned outdoor stadiums to sports betting and live game streams, every aspect of sports is evolving. Sports technologies are changing how managers train their teams, how fans engage with their favorite sports, how stadiums are run, and more. Below, we review the top tech trends that are currently driving growth in the sports sector.
Performance Analytics
Performance analytics tools have come a long way. Technologies like VAR allow game officials to make accurate real-time decisions about matches within seconds. Most recently, the VAR support tool SAOT was launched during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The more than impressive system tracks the ball during the match and plots more than 29 data points for all the players at speeds above 50 times per second. For teams and their managers, the data collected by such tools is proving crucial in training. Team officials use data collected during a game through stadium cameras, motion sensors in the balls, tracking wristbands, and smart clothes to predict injury risk, identify player strengths, and more.
Streaming Technology
Thanks to streaming technology, watching sports has never been more convenient than it is. Sports betting platforms like Betway have gone a step further than allowing fans to wager on their favorite sports with bet app download. Now, with a mobile device and a stable internet connection, fans can watch games live from the comfort of their homes. These streams can even be viewed on different screens for a more immersive experience. Speaking of immersion, some streaming platforms are incorporating aspects of VR technology into their feeds to make the viewing experience more realistic for fans at home.
Smart Stadiums
Sadly, streaming technology is drawing fans away from stadiums. To keep people in the stands, stadiums are embracing technology in the form of smart stadiums. The air-conditioned outdoor stadiums that hosted last year's World Cup comes to mind. Stadium operators are also using drones to improve snack delivery and cleaning processes. Additionally, more stadiums are beefing up internet speeds in their stands to allow faster check-ins, more efficient parking, and more.
Esports
Currently worth about $1.38 billion, esports is the most exciting sector of the sports industry at the moment. There are even talks about making esports tournaments into Olympic events. Thanks to mobile gaming technology, streaming, and several other tech trends, sports fans can watch top gamers play competitive video games. Not only that, through sites like Betway, they can wager on the outcome.
Cybersecurity
But all these advancements in the sports industry draw more than new fans – they also attract cybercriminals. Hackers seem to be intent on getting a share of this fast-growing multi-billion industry, with scams like phishing on the rise. To protect fans, the sports industry is using technology-enabled security systems in physical stadiums and online platforms. In the latter, innovations like AI and blockchain help protect user data and prevent unauthorized access to sporting and betting accounts.
Conclusion
Technology is driving growth in many industries, and the sports sector is not one to be left behind. All these trends are geared toward more immersive, convenient, and safer sporting experiences for players, fans, and game officials. Thanks to technology, managers can train their teams better, players can track their progress and improve their strategies, and officials can ensure fairness in all games. Most importantly, fans can enjoy exciting gaming events.
