Technological advancements, shifting demographics, and evolving consumer preferences have triggered rapid changes in the sports sector, driving the industry to adapt to emerging trends. Sports technology companies are pioneering innovative approaches to improve athlete performance, prevent injuries, keep audiences interested, and elevate the overall experience of professional sports.
For this reason, betting companies, sports service providers, equipment manufacturers, and various stakeholders need to stay on top of the trends and innovations shaping the sports industry.
New Developments We Can Expect in the World of Sports
Below are several emerging trends and predictions that will impact and change the sports industry as we know it.
Rise of Esports
Esports have recently experienced a surge in popularity, and the whole branch is predicted to become the primary sport of Gen Z and Gen Alpha within the next decade. Thanks to technology advancements, high-speed internet, and the rise of streaming platforms, this niche is slowly reshaping the sports landscape. Esports gaming is not just about playing for fun — for instance, slot sites UK allow fans to showcase their skills and strategies in this vast digital playground.
Green Sports Movement
The sports industry and athletes have jumped on the bandwagon and become environmental advocates, promoting sustainability. We’re talking about carbon-neutral stadiums that generate energy, organic and local products, eclectic transportation, and fewer parking spots for gas vehicles.
AR and VR Integration
Since immersive multimedia is on the rise, we’ll be seeing more people stay at home to watch sports matches using AR and VR glasses. The technology provides a 360-degree view of the game and an authentic experience. Viewers will feel like they are stepping into the heart of the game, urging their favourite teams on. Meanwhile, similar technology can be used to simulate hypothetical match scenarios to enhance skill development and tactical training.
Immersive Training
Immersive sports training refers to stepping into a super-realistic practice session but in virtual reality. You’ll see yourself on an actual field and hear authentic sounds, thus getting a realistic training experience.
AI’s Role in Defining the Future of Sports Games
Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to dominate and significantly impact the future of sports. Its uses are diverse, but the biggest changes are anticipated in performance analysis.
Devices with artificial intelligence will analyse data from cameras, sensors, and wearables and provide insight into an athlete’s performance, including rest balance, achievements, and training regimes. They will also gather data on players’ abilities and specific health and psychological parameters during the game.
These systems help athletes and coaches make more informed decisions, improve training strategies, and boost overall performance and well-being. We can also expect to see AI integrated into the judging process in an effort to make it more transparent and unbiased.
Emerging Trends in Sports App Development
Thanks to modern technologies, millions of users worldwide can keep up with their favourite sport anytime and anywhere. Sports apps come out regularly, each better than the previous one. In fact, in 2023, the market size value of this industry was $3.89 billion, and it is expected to double, reaching $8.03 billion by 2030.
Apps are constantly changing, surpassing their predecessors with each update. Developers strive to offer more interesting and engaging experiences, and the biggest changes we can expect are:
- Immersive broadcasting with AR—There’s no doubt that live app broadcasting is here to stay. Thus, developers are taking a step forward. Some, like Apple, have already announced the implementation of augmented reality into the broadcasting experience. For instance, users can watch several games at once, have on-screen stats, follow games from different angles of the stadium, and more.
- Gamification and social interaction — The development of mobile sports apps is likely to incorporate gamification with social features in the coming years. If you want to learn more about the phenomenon, you can read about it here. In particular, companies are looking for ways to attract and retain users. As a result, we’ve seen the emergence of activity feeds, where users get instant game information and see other people’s activities. Live chats, messaging, and commentary sections also enhance social interaction. Meanwhile, rewards and leaderboards encourage user participation and regular app engagement.
- Digital injury prevention — Artificial intelligence implemented in sports mobile apps collects data about players’ moving patterns and previous injuries and monitors their load. As a result, coaches can customise training sessions accordingly with this approach. AI can also predict the approximate recovery time and healing progress and recommend exercises for rehabilitation treatment.
Conclusion
Sports tech trends have already started redefining the present and laying the foundation for the future. With constant AI and AR advancements, it will be impossible to separate this technology from sports. Considering that AI has the potential to revolutionise athletic performance, fan engagement, and even game evaluation, coaches will resort to it to develop tactics and strategies. Meanwhile, major sports organisations have already started relying on these tools for marketing, sports management, entertainment, and decision-making processes.
