The Smarter
Sports Awards
Categories
The Smarter Sports Awards, formerly The Sports Technology Awards, are recognized as the global gold standard for innovation in sport. For 12 years, The Awards have honoured the outstanding solutions that redefine the sector.
2026 Categories
Ball Sports
Sports. Played.
This award celebrates an innovation based on technology, engineering, science, materials, or manufacture that supports performance, training, management or welfare designed to support ball sports. These include but are not limited to football (soccer), rugby, American football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, handball, netball, water polo, Gaelic football, and hurling.
Combat Sports
Sports. Fought.
This category recognises innovation in technology, engineering, science, materials, equipment, apparel, footwear or manufacturing that enhances performance, training, management, or welfare in combat sports.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, fencing, and Muay Thai.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, fencing, and Muay Thai.
Equestrian Sports
Sports. Ridden.
This category recognises innovation in technology, engineering, science, materials, equipment, apparel, or manufacturing that enhances performance, training, management, or welfare in equestrian sports – whether for horse, rider, or both.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) show jumping, dressage, eventing, polo, horse racing, endurance riding, vaulting, and rodeo.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) show jumping, dressage, eventing, polo, horse racing, endurance riding, vaulting, and rodeo.
Motor-Powered Sports
Sports. Driven.
This category recognises innovation in technology, engineering, fuel, science, materials, equipment, apparel, or manufacturing that enhances performance, safety, data use, or operational management in sports involving engines or motors.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) Formula 1, MotoGP, NASCAR, rally racing, powerboat racing, motocross, electric karting, and snowmobile racing.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) Formula 1, MotoGP, NASCAR, rally racing, powerboat racing, motocross, electric karting, and snowmobile racing.
Mechanically Aided Sports
Sports. Powered.
This category recognises innovation in technology, engineering, science, materials, equipment, apparel, or manufacturing that enhances performance, training, management, or welfare in sports where mechanical aids play a central role.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) cycling (road, track, mountain bike, BMX), rowing (including erg-assisted), sailing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, adaptive rowing, and paracycling.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) cycling (road, track, mountain bike, BMX), rowing (including erg-assisted), sailing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, adaptive rowing, and paracycling.
Racquet and Bat Sports
Sports. Struck.
This category recognises innovation in technology, engineering, science, materials, equipment, apparel, footwear or manufacturing that enhances performance, training, management, or welfare in racquet and bat sports.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) tennis, table tennis, badminton, squash, cricket, baseball, and padel.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) tennis, table tennis, badminton, squash, cricket, baseball, and padel.
Track and Field (inc. Swimming)
Sports. Stronger .
This category recognises innovation in technology, engineering, science, materials, equipment, apparel, footwear or manufacturing that enhances performance, training, management, or welfare in individual timed or measured sports.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) athletics (track and field), swimming, diving, triathlon, marathon running, and Paralympic equivalents.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) athletics (track and field), swimming, diving, triathlon, marathon running, and Paralympic equivalents.
Winter Sports
Sports. Frozen.
This category recognises innovation in technology, engineering, science, materials, equipment, apparel, footwear or manufacturing that enhances performance, safety, training, or management in winter sports.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) skiing (alpine, cross-country, freestyle), snowboarding, ice hockey, figure skating, bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, biathlon, and curling.
Eligible sports include (but aren’t limited to) skiing (alpine, cross-country, freestyle), snowboarding, ice hockey, figure skating, bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, biathlon, and curling.
Broadcast
Sports. Seen.
This award celebrates technology created for, or used by, sports broadcasters of all types. This includes technologies such as
- AR, VR, 360-degree cameras or interactive features
- Camera hardware or software
- Closed captioning, audio descriptions, language options, or customizable interfaces
- Graphics and visual presentation
- Instant replays, slow-motion analysis, player tracking and statistical overlays
- Live polls, social media integration, viewer comments, or interactive contests
- Real-time data feeds, player statistics, historical trends, or expert analysis
- Sound production hardware or software
- Streaming and broadcast
- Studio or staging
Multi-Sports Coaching
Sports. Guided.
This category celebrates technology that improves coaching, training, and tactical decision-making across multiple sports. It is aimed at solutions used by coaches, managers, clubs, teams, and elite athletes. This includes technologies such as
- Data analysis capabilities
- Skill development
- Tactical insights
- Strategic decision-making
- Training efficiency
Data and Analytics
Sports. Decoded.
This celebrates technology which collects, integrates and / or analyse data from sources within sports. This includes technologies that
- Generate or provide real-time or historical data
- Integrate different data types / sources for analysis
- Provide statistical modelling, machine learning algorithms, predictive analytics or data visualization tools that enable in-depth analysis and generate actionable insights
- Utilize multiple sensors, tracking devices, databases or digital platforms
Fan Engagement
Sports. Connected.
This category celebrates technology that enables deeper, more meaningful engagement between fans and sports entities of all types. Eligible entries may include:
- Innovation – new concepts, features, functionalities, or approaches that transform how fans connect with sport.
- Experience enhancement – tools that deliver interactivity, personalisation, exclusive content access, gamification, social media integration, or immersive fan experiences.
Venue, Infrastructure and Event Delivery
Sports. Staged.
This category celebrates technology that enhances venue operations, match day experience, and event delivery by positively impacting fans, clubs, tournaments, sports organisations, venues, and sponsors. This includes technologies such as:
- Advanced surveillance and emergency response
- Crowd monitoring and management
- Concessions management, retail, and transactions
- Energy-efficient infrastructure, waste reduction, recycling, or sustainability programs
- Facility maintenance and upkeep
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- In-seat ordering and digital concierge services
- Mobile app integration, interactive displays, or digital signage
- Ticketing, access control, and venue logistics
- Wayfinding and navigation systems
- Match Day Operations
Female Athlete Innovation
Sports. Equalized.
This celebrates an outstanding contribution, innovation, or technology designed specifically for sportswomen or women working in the sports industry. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Female-specific performance wear and equipment
- Menstrual cycle and hormonal health tracking
- Injury prevention and rehabilitation tailored to women
- Nutrition and hydration solutions designed for female athletes
- Training and recovery tools addressing women’s unique physiology
- Technologies improving safety and wellbeing for women in sport
Innovation of the Year
Sports. Redefined.
Presented in partnership with
This celebrates the best technological innovation in sports. Entries must have been tangibly available no earlier than January 2024). Concepts are ineligible.
This category is presented in partnership with Capgemini, Innovations Partner to The STA Group.
This category is presented in partnership with Capgemini, Innovations Partner to The STA Group.
Partnership of the Year
Sports. United.
This celebrates tech-led work in sports, involving two or more entities, where a partnership has been created to resolve tangible challenges, or meet and leverage a clear opportunity, either targeting B2B or B2C.
Start-Up of the Year
Sports. Emerging.
This celebrates sports technology startup businesses, operating in any part of the sports sector.
Entries are invited from young businesses, in revenue, and whose founders still own at least 70% of the company. Funding status for eligible companies will be seed through to within six months post-series A.
Entries are invited from young businesses, in revenue, and whose founders still own at least 70% of the company. Funding status for eligible companies will be seed through to within six months post-series A.
Team of the Year
Sports. Together.
This celebrates a club or team that, through the adoption, use, or creation of technology, has clearly improved its performance, operations, or impact. The improvement can be in a single significant area or across the entire team.
AI Use
Sports. Augmented.
This celebrates the innovative and effective use of artificial intelligence technology within sports. Whether applied to performance, operations, fan engagement, or any other area, the entry should demonstrate how AI has driven tangible improvements or breakthroughs.
Sustainability Innovation
Sports. Sustained.
This celebrates technology and initiatives that promote environmental responsibility and sustainable practices within the sports industry. Entries should demonstrate meaningful contributions to reducing environmental impact, improving resource efficiency, or fostering long-term ecological balance.
Event of the Year
Sports. Orchestrated.
This category celebrates the innovative use of technology to enhance the planning, execution, and experience of sports events. Entries should demonstrate how smart solutions have delivered operational excellence, improved attendee satisfaction, or driven commercial, logistical, or environmental benefits.
The Smarter Sports Awards, formerly The Sports Technology Awards, are recognized as the global gold standard for innovation in sport. For 12 years, The Awards have honoured the outstanding solutions that redefine the sector.
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