Sports Technology Trends for 2022

Advancements in technology have had a major impact on the sports industry and this trend is certain to continue during 2022 and beyond.

09:12 19 January 2022

Advancements in technology have had a major impact on the sports industry and this trend is certain to continue during 2022 and beyond.

 

Technology plays a crucial role in the sports sector, impacting several elements such as athletic performance, business operations and fan experiences.

 

Sports and technology are also linked in other important fields such as media, communications and marketing, further highlighting their burgeoning connection.

 

Read on as we take a closer look at some of the key sports technology trends worth monitoring throughout the next 12 months.

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Research by Sports Habit has highlighted that artificial intelligence (AI) technology will have a huge impact on the sports industry over the coming years.

 

AI is already used across most sports disciplines to improve performance, collect data and streamline the way sports organisations operate.

 

Further adoption of AI in 2022 is likely to manifest itself in elements such as automated video highlights or virtual match officials.

 

AI will also continue to transform sports betting, with analytical data increasingly becoming an integral part of the growing demand by punters for in-play wagering opportunities.

 

Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology and cryptocurrency have been on the fringes of the sports industry for some time now, and 2022 may well be the year they finally cross into the mainstream.

 

Many Premier League clubs have already been forging links with blockchain and crypto companies, while Formula One and the UFC are also on board.

 

Revenue streams and fan experiences in sport could be transformed by blockchain across elements such as non-fungible tokens and crypto ticket purchases.

 

However, one issue blockchain companies must overcome in sport is the widespread cynicism held by respected media outlets regarding their legitimacy.

 

Media & Communications

Sports media and communications has changed massively in recent years as the industry strives to keep pace with the rising demand from fans for more interactive content.

 

AI-powered tools are increasingly being used to facilitate more frequent publications, with Major League Baseball amongst the organisations leading the innovations in this area.

 

With Generation Z more likely to consume sports content from social media on their smartphones, sports media and communications has already been forced to diversify.

 

This trend will continue apace through 2022 as consumer tastes gravitate even further away from the way things were done just a few years ago.

 

Influencer Marketing

While the concept of influencer marketing still divides opinion amongst the general public, it is increasingly been viewed by the sports industry as an extremely viable tactic.

 

Sports stars have long been used to endorse products, but the emergence of platforms such as Instagram and TikTok has opened the door to a different demographic of people.

 

Brands are wising up to the possibilities offered by influencer marketing, with these popular digital spaces helping to drive engagement and generate new revenue streams.

 

More athletes are also likely to jump on the bandwagon, as the platforms provide them with a unique way to connect with fans and monetise their personal brand.

 

eSports

The days where eSports was seen as an activity conducted solely by teenagers in darkened bedrooms is long gone, with the industry on a steep upward curve.

 

With traditional sports organisations continuing to muscle in on the sector, analysts have forecast that revenues will surpass $2.5 billion this year.

 

The 2022 Asian Games will once again have eSports as a medalled event, highlighting its growing importance on the world stage.

 

While acceptance into the Olympic movement is unlikely to happen just yet, the push towards that goal will continue apace during 2022.

 

Live Streaming

Changes in consumer habits will continue to spark a dramatic shift away from traditional broadcasting platforms during 2022.

 

Live football streams have become all the rage in recent times and we expect that trend to continue apace at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

 

Many fans have already cut the cord by signing up for services such as fuboTV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV and other streaming platforms.

 

Digital consumption figures for the tournament are likely to hit an all-time high as more consumers and content providers jump on the live streaming bandwagon.

 

Sustainability

With climate change still presenting major challenges for society in general, the sports industry will be forced to think more about operating in a sustainable manner.

 

A great example of this in action will be seen in 2022 during the construction of Everton’s new stadium project at Bramley-Moore Dock.

 

Sustainability initiatives have been embedded into the design of the 52,888-capacity venue including generating electricity from solar panels and harvesting rainwater for use in toilets.

 

The venue will create a template for future stadium design that will undoubtedly be adopted in football and across the rest of the sporting spectrum.