The Virtual Sports Fan Report 2025

"As we imbue AI agents with distinct personalities, we open unprecedented avenues for authentic human-AI interactions. This evolution paves the way for more intuitive and personalized experiences across various sectors."

Dr. Adel Elmessiry, Ph.D.

AI Expert and Tech Entrepreneur

"AI is redefining how fans experience sports—from hyper-personalized content to real-time analytics and immersive virtual environments. As technology accelerates, the organizations that harness AI to deepen fan engagement and anticipate behavior will lead the next era of sports entertainment."

Arnold Gutmann

Senior Executive Partner at Gartner

"Innovation is the key to proactively shaping upcoming disruptions in the sports media landscape. Among these innovations, AI stands out as a game-changer, creating new opportunities for companies to stay ahead, personalize content, and deliver truly immersive fan experiences."

Thomas Berger

Head of LAOLA1

"I believe that in sports, as in life, innovation is the key to staying ahead of the game. Those who embrace change are the ones who will excel. As leaders, it's our responsibility to foster a culture of innovation, empowering our teams to push boundaries and strive for improvement. It's not just about winning on the scoreboard - it's about innovating, adapting, and achieving greatness."

Dieter Kalt

Austrian Former Professional Ice Hockey Player

"Given that the Mina Cup is a youth tournament attracting audiences aged 16 and under, exploring innovative strategies to engage young athletes and their fans is crucial. As they are familiar with virtual worlds through gaming and similar digital adventures, we want to enrich the tournament with immersive experiences resonating with their interests."

Chris Brown

Founder of the Mina Cup

"It is notoriously difficult to explain a 3D phenomenon using 2D media like slides. Get headsets, open up a wallet, ... and dive into it. Only when you expose yourself to these technologies you will find relevant use cases."

Tibor Merey

Managing Director and Partner at BCGx

"Live sports data epitomizes the nexus of innovation, where real-time insights fuel the evolution of the sporting experience. In leveraging disruptive technologies, we not only enhance the excitement of the game but also redefine how fans, athletes, and stakeholders engage with the dynamic landscape of sports."

Rainer Geier

Sportradar

"Fan engagement is crucial for the growth of any sport, and technology is the bridge that connects us to our supporters in new and exciting ways. Whether it's through social media, virtual experiences, or interactive platforms, technology allows us to share our journey, celebrate our successes, and build a stronger, more connected community with our fans."

Carina Wenninger

Austrian Professional Football Player

"We firmly believe that the future of tennis lies at the intersection of technology and fan engagement. By leveraging innovative technologies and creating immersive experiences for fans at the ATP 500 Erste Bank Open, we have the opportunity to shape the revolution of tennis, enriching the player experience and captivating audiences worldwide like never before."

Dominik Beier

Managing Director of Emotion Group

"Global dynamics in the media and content landscape push us to continuously innovate. Through active collaborations with sports tech-startups and passionate innovators we successfully ride the wave of relentless improvement and stay ahead of the innovation curve."

Matthias Reichert

CCO of SPORT1