IBM and Web Summit announced a global sports technology competition. The Sports Tech Startup Challenge will highlight startups that use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance sports, such as athlete performance, stadium management, and fan engagement. Regional events will be held in Qatar, Vancouver, and Rio, with the final winners chosen at Web Summit Lisbon 2026. Participation will depend on local laws and official rules, which will be shared before each regional event.
Sports are one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Sports organizations are working quickly to use AI to improve performance, increase income, and create better experiences for fans. For over thirty years, IBM has been a reliable technology partner for famous sports organizations such as the Masters, Wimbledon, the US Open, Scuderia Ferrari HP, UFC, and ESPN Fantasy Football. With the Sports Tech Startup Challenge, IBM will share its experience with the sports tech startup community for the first time, helping new ideas grow where AI and sports meet.
“IBM has worked with famous sports teams around the world for many years, using our technology to change how games are played, watched, and enjoyed,” said Emily Fontaine, Global Head of Venture Capital at IBM. “With the IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge, we will combine our history with the creativity of top startups to create the next stage of innovation in sports and set new standards for growth with AI.”
The IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge will last for 12 months. It will include smaller regional competitions where startups will present their AI solutions for sports and entertainment. Judges will include leaders from IBM, sports and technology executives, and famous athletes. Regional winners will be shown live on stage at Lisbon Web Summit 2026, where the final winner will be selected. Winners may receive a paid project worth up to $100,000 with IBM’s Sports and Entertainment Partnership Team, mentorship from IBM experts in technology and business, and a chance to be considered for investment.
“IBM has been our partner for a long time, and we are happy to start this new project with them,” said Kevin McDonald, Chief Commercial Officer, Web Summit. “We have helped many startups over the years, and some have become large companies like Revolut, Stripe, and Whoop. This partnership shows how quickly AI in sports technology is growing. It brings together the fast-growing technology sector with sports that attract billions of fans. We are excited to find the next big success with IBM in the next year.”
How to Apply
Startups that want to join the IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge can find more information on the Web Summit Startups website.
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