It’s a multibillion-dollar industry that gives employment opportunities to millions around the world. In this modern digital age, technology influences sport to a great extent. Innovation in the sports industry is happening at a breakneck speed to meet the ever-evolving needs and expectations of athletes and fans alike.

Technology has permeated almost every aspect of sports ranging from how sports venues run, how athletes train, and how sports teams engage with their audience.

The most popular tech trends and innovations in sports include performance analytics (made possible by AI and Big Data), the Internet of Things (IoT), crowd sentiment analysis, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), eSports, and smart stadiums, to name a few.

Here we list the top 8 sports tech trends of 2022 and how tech-driven innovation is revolutionizing the tech industry. We will also see how a good software development company can help you improve strategic decision-making in the concerned sports and drive customer engagement.

Performance Analytics

To enhance performance and facilitate intelligent decision-making, it is prominent to understand what actions led to what consequences during the match. Performance analytics, including video and motion analytics, help process a broad range of data like the position of the player, the position of the ball, player placement, player movement, and the outcome of such efforts. All the analysis helps the coach and the players plan and improve performances in future matches. Also, wearables such as smart watches, wristbands embedded with sensors, and smart clothes provide valuable data about athletes’ actions, movement, and accuracy during the match. Also, the data gathered helps gauge a player’s injury risk. 

Ability to get fans more involved in the game

There’s no sport without an audience. It is because of fans that any sport generates so much money. It is, therefore, imperative to drive fan engagement. To do that, the management, working with a good product development company, is implementing various technologies such as blockchain, biometrics, and AI-powered chatbots to engage more closely with sports fans. Live event holograms allow fans to speak directly with their favorite sports stars.

Advanced Streaming Techniques

3D technologies and 4K resolution allow broadcasters to deliver sports events over OTT platforms, which fans can watch from anywhere through an internet-enabled device. Also, virtual reality (VR) streaming permits fans to watch streaming from different angles just by flicking switches.

Better Care for the Environment 

To promote sustainability and prevent environmental degradation, all those involved in sports industry are introducing innovations to make sports more sustainable. Foods get recycled. As stadiums use large amounts of electricity, efforts are underway to promote renewable source of energy. Athletes get handed-out eco-friendly clothes to a great extent.

eSports

eSports are growing fastly, thanks to the continued great strides of sports technology. A good example could be the popular PUBG game, thanks to smartphones. They are facilitating easy access to free-to-play competitive games. The use of AI and machine learning provides in-depth analysis of game data by benefiting bookmakers and betters.

Immersive Training

To simulate an actual match environment, we uses Immersive training techniques. Virtual reality (VR) allows players to train as if they are playing a real match. In combination with 3D sensor technology, VR offers the player a real feel of the stadium, including sight, sound, touch, and even smell. 

Enhanced level of cybersecurity

As the sports industry and sporting events move online, the threat of cyberattacks rises. Data of players and fans, along with the security of streaming platforms, are often the target of malicious hackers. To eliminate such threats and secure assets, sports organizers are increasingly focusing on cybersecurity of the venue and attendees. Measures such as blockchain technology, email defense systems, and other preventive technologies are put in place to ward off threats from online intruders.

Smart Stadiums

The best place to get completely immersed in the action will be the stadiums, where they conducts matches. However nowadays, fans are increasingly choosing to watch the match on TV. To coax them back to stadiums, sports tech startups uses technologies like AI-based crowd sentiment analysis, which tracks and analyses the level of fun and enjoyment the crowd is drawing from the match. Moreover, the Internet of Things (IoT) improves the experience of visiting a stadium by helping them find parking spots, seats, and snack stands, among others.

Conclusion

AI, IoT, advanced robotics, big data, IR, 3D and VR, are making a major impact on the sports industry. A top-notch software development company can help sports industry develop technology to make sports more productive and entertaining for athletes and fans. 

Q3 Technologies