The Virtual Sports Fan Report 2024

"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

"The final objective of technology is connectivity. Web3 offers a unique opportunity to connect at a more fundamental level, where athletes, fans, and other stakeholders don't just interact but become partners in new monetization possibilities, sustainable value-creation opportunities, and decision-making processes."

Marko Kowalewski

CEO of Starzz

"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

"At Drone Champions League, we craft virtual environments and digital replicas of iconic locations to stage our drone races. Naturally, we are keen to use virtual spaces also for pilots to interact with each other and with their fans. While these digital interactions can't substitute for in-person experiences, they offer a unique platform for our globally dispersed pilots, who are already well-acquainted with virtual reality, to connect and collaborate."

Manuel Urban

Director of DCL

"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