Ep. 29: Hendrik Weber - The DFL SportsInnovation, a Unique Sport Tech Event

SportsInnovation Showcase: Bundesliga Embraces Technology
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Hendrik Weber from the DFL Bundesliga about the upcoming SportsInnovation event in Düsseldorf on March 20-21, 2024. The DFL is organizing the third edition of the conference to showcase the latest innovations and technologies impacting football and sports.
What makes SportsInnovation unique is how it combines a traditional conference format, including international expert speakers and an exhibition area, with live football matches being played right in the Merkur Spiel-Arena stadium. This allows technologies to be demonstrated and tested in real-world conditions. As Hendrik explained, "You have actual, real football players playing on the real grass and scoring real goals... You can not only talk about PowerPoint slides, but you actually talk about stuff which is actually happening."
The event focuses on three key innovation pillars: next generation broadcasting and content, digital fan experience & stadium experience, and sports performance. These pillars are interconnected, with technology advancements in one area often impacting the others as well. On the first day, Bundesliga CEO Stefan Merkel will kick things off with a keynote on how he assesses the role of innovation in sport in general and what are his predictions for the future of football in particular.
Later sessions will explore how to leverage digital technologies to enhance the fan experience. On the final day, the emphasis shifts to sports performance, officiating, and how clubs and federations can harness technology for training and tactics. Excitingly, the event will feature an afternoon of American football in partnership with the NFL, demonstrating the Bundesliga's interest in learning from other sports.
The Bundesliga has a strong track record of pioneering new technologies. As Hendrik noted, "Bundesliga tries for a long time to push on the technology side of it and also innovation where the boundaries a little bit and really try to be kind of in the forefront of where the development is." By hosting SportsInnovation, the league aims to bring partners and other stakeholders together to prototype and co-innovate, while sharing knowledge with other leagues and federations. It's a collaborative approach to moving the whole industry forward.
One fascinating area of innovation that will be highlighted is the rapid advancement in player and ball tracking capabilities. Hendrik described how just a few years ago, trackers could only monitor simple X, Y, Z coordinates of players represented as a center of mass. Tracking the ball was tricky due to its small size and fast movement. But now, the Merkur Spiel-Arena will feature over 100 sports technology cameras from leading providers like Hawk-Eye, ChyronHego, Second Spectrum, and more.
The latest systems can track 20-30 limb segments per player, or even provide "mesh tracking" with 10,000+ data points mapping to a 3D player silhouette. This unlocks applications for automated offside calling, injury prevention, and granular performance analysis. By installing all the major tracking systems in one place, the event offers a unique opportunity for side-by-side comparisons and validation.
Another key topic will be the role of academic research in sports innovation. A dedicated masterclass featuring speakers from the MIT Sports Lab, FIFA, and the Technical University of Munich will explore how to bridge the gap between academia and industry to accelerate progress. The event will also showcase the latest in mixed reality and immersive media experiences, with speakers from the NFL, MLB and tech providers.
While I'm personally looking forward to moderating two of the panels, I'm also excited to experience the technology demos first-hand and soak up insights from the diverse range of international speakers and attendees. With the sessions all conducted in English, the event promises to bring together a global community to shape the future of the game.
Although the invite-only event is already at capacity, its collaborative and open ethos is admirable. As Hendrik articulated, the Bundesliga's aim is for SportsInnovation to transcend any single league or federation and drive the whole industry forward: "SportsInnovation 2024 can be entitled the multisports edition as we will see representatives and showcases from more sports and leagues than ever before, including all American professional leagues."
With that expansive outlook, I have no doubt that the ideas and innovations exchanged in Düsseldorf next week will have a profound impact not just on football, but on the entire sports industry for years to come. I'm thrilled to play a small part in the conversation.