Verizon inks partnerships with ATP and WTA Tour events

The ATP and WTA have announced a multi-year partnership with leading telecommunications company Verizon. The regional sponsorship spans ATP Tour and Hologic WTA Tour events in the United States, with Verizon becoming the official telecommunications partner to each Tour and the first telecommunications partner of the ATP.

The partnership kicked off at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March. Verizon’s event portolio will span the ATX Open (Austin), Delray Beach Open (Fla.), Miami Open presented by Itaú, Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship (Houston), Credit One Charleston Open, and future tournaments at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, Cincinnati Open, Tennis in the Land powered by Rocket (Cleveland) and the Winston-Salem Open presented by Truist Bank and Flow Automotive.

Brokered by Sinclair and its subsidiary Tennis Channel — the U.S. home of tennis — the agreement also grants Verizon integrated access to Tennis Channel’s distribution ecosystem. This includes exclusive content placements across Tennis Channel’s app, studio desk branding, TennisChannel 2 streaming (FAST) network, and Tennis.com, creating an unprecedented consolidated platform to engage with tennis audiences across the season.

Daniele Sano, ATP Chief Business Officer, said: “This partnership with Verizon is a big step for the ATP. It’s our first-ever telecommunications partner, which says a lot about the momentum behind tennis right now. It’s also a great example of how we’re shaping partnerships in new ways — built for brands looking for a single entry point into the sport. Verizon is a household name with deep credibility, and their investment in our sport will help bring tennis closer to fans across the U.S.”

Marina Storti, CEO of WTA Ventures, said: “This innovative partnership is a shining example of how we can work together across tennis to create value for partners. Just a few weeks after the launch of a bold new brand identity for the WTA, it is great to be taking yet another positive step for women’s tennis by welcoming Verizon to the WTA’s partner portfolio.”

Sinclair Chief Business Officer, Consumer Products, JR McCabe said: “Through a single sponsorship platform, Sinclair is redefining how brands engage with audiences and delivering a unified opportunity for advertisers to connect with fans throughout the season of tennis. This marks another step in Sinclair’s ongoing expansion beyond traditional broadcasting, reinforcing our commitment to providing customized, innovative solutions for partners.”

Sinclair Chief Sports and Digital Monetisation Officer, Eric Welles said: “We’ve spoken to many marketers and there was a consistent theme to the challenges of the fragmentation of the sport. This concept will revolutionise ways brands can access tennis, similar to the way other professional leagues operate with their rights partners. Verizon is an ideal partner, as they have led the way across many of the leagues in bringing together their brand with the respective sport and unlocking unprecedented experiences for the fans.”

ATPI Launches EventsHub Platform for Integrated Guest and Travel Management

Leading travel and events management company, ATPI Group has announced the global launch of ATPI EventsHub, the group’s end-to-end guest management platform designed to effortlessly handle every aspect of events management. 

The first platform of its kind to integrate a guest management tool with travel booking capabilities, ATPI EventsHub enhances its offering with 24/7 offline support from travel consultants, and a fully customisable, white-labelled experience for brands across all guest touchpoints. 

Whether planning a one-off event or a multi-event programme, ATPI’s new platform simplifies guest management by allowing organisers to effortlessly book and manage flights, hotels, transfers and inventories all within a single platform, eliminating the inefficiencies of juggling multiple tools and suppliers and streamlining operations.

From registrations and travel logistics to seamless communication and real-time tracking, users of ATPI EventsHub will benefit from:

  • Full control over a centralised dashboard with real-time data, ensuring smooth event execution with complete oversight 
  • Smart automation that eliminates manual tasks and reduces planning time by up to 30%
  • A fully customisable experience to suit business needs and brand identity 
  • Effortless guest management that streamlines the entire guest journey, from invitations and travel planning to onsite experience 
  • Integrated travel data to ensure a seamless attendee journey with built-in travel management 

Beyond its technological capabilities, ATPI developed the platform to work alongside its consultants, providing clients with hands-on guidance and local expertise from planning through to execution. Whether managing VIP travel, coordinating large-scale events, or fine-tuning last-minute details, ATPI’s team work behind the scenes to ensure a seamless event experience with real-time troubleshooting. 

Helen van Berkel, Global Head of Events at ATPI, said: “ATPI EventsHub offers the perfect blend of personalisation, innovation and human touch, setting a new standard for exceptional guest experiences. 

“We take pride in our deep understanding of the challenges our customers face when organising and managing events. Therefore, our goal is simple. We want to equip our customers with the tools that set them apart in their respective industries, helping them foster stronger brand loyalty and enhance guest satisfaction – all while maximising cost savings and operational efficiency. The essence of our work lies in creating unforgettable guest experiences, and we strive to empower our customers with innovative solutions that turn every event into a lasting success.” 

Formula 1 to race in Miami until 2041 as new extension agreed

Formula 1 has announced that the Miami Grand Prix will remain on the calendar through 2041, following a 10-year extension to its existing agreement with the promoter South Florida Motorsports – a new deal that will make Miami the longest contracted event on the F1 calendar.

Since joining Formula 1 in 2022, the Miami Grand Prix has established itself as one of the most desirable sporting events in the world, attracting fans from across the USA and around the globe with a perfect combination of thrilling racing on track and incredible entertainment off it.

The race has made a significant impact on the local economy and community, generating more than US$1 billion in economic impact across its first three years. The race organisers have also established internship programmes, worked with local charities, and promoted home-grown businesses each year to ensure that the legacy of the race is felt in the local area.

South Florida Motorsports was named 2024 Formula 1 Promoter of the Year in recognition of its outstanding delivery of the Grand Prix and continuous commitment to delivering an incredible sporting and entertainment event for fans.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “In just three years, the Miami Grand Prix has established itself as one of the most important and spectacular events on our calendar, an extraordinary example of quality and vision that truly represents the spirit and ambition of Formula 1 in the United States.

“Extending this agreement until 2041 is a strategic milestone of enormous importance, which strengthens our presence in America and consolidates the ever-deepening bond with our fan base there, which is constantly growing and passionate like never before.

KAP7 Named Official Match Ball of World Aquatics Through LA28 and Beyond

World Aquatics has announced a multi-year partnership with aquatics equipment manufacturer KAP7, which will run through the LA28 Olympic Games and beyond—bringing exciting new experiences for water polo athletes and fans worldwide

The agreement between World Aquatics and the American manufacturer KAP7 will see the company’s water polo balls used at all international water polo matches through 2028, including at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Founded by Olympians Bradley Schumacher and Wolf Wigo, KAP7 aims to elevate the sport through innovation, quality, and accessibility. With its ethos of “Built by Water Polo Players, For Water Polo Players,” KAP7 develops custom event balls and country-specific designs, which will be sold online and at pop-up shops at upcoming World Aquatics events.

The KAP7 HydroGrip water polo ball—renowned for its proprietary grip and precision construction—will be used at all World Aquatics water polo events, including the upcoming Singapore 2025 championships and LA28 Games. Trusted by players from grassroots clubs to elite competition, the HydroGrip is designed to perform at the highest level.

World Aquatics, the international governing body for water polo and five other aquatic sports—swimming, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and high diving—strives to develop all aquatics under the vision of “A world united by water, for health, life, and sport.”

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam hailed the agreement, stating: “I am incredibly excited about this partnership. Working with KAP7 brings new opportunities to World Aquatics and our water polo community. KAP7 is a youthful and dynamic company at the cutting edge of manufacturing, particularly with its water polo balls. The company’s roots are in aquatic sports, and not only will they supply World Aquatics events with balls of the highest quality, but they also share a vision that will elevate the overall sports and fan experience at our matches.”

Michael Jones announced as new Managing Director of InCrowd, with Aidan Cooney moving to Non-Executive Director role

A new era of InCrowd sees Aidan Cooney stepping aside as CEO but staying involved as a Non-Executive Director, to be replaced by Michael Jones who, after four years as Group COO, moves into the leadership position for InCrowd.

Marking the first steps in a new and exciting chapter for the business, InCrowd, a leading force in the sports marketing industry, has also revealed a rebrand, encompassing new messaging and visual identity to reflect the company’s evolution, renewed mission, and commitment to innovation in delivering high impact, high value services and solutions for clients. 

After 10 years at the InCrowd helm, Aidan will now move into a role as CEO of new holding company Envision Sport Group, the investment vehicle behind InCrowd and other sports-specific technology and services businesses driving transformation across the industry.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together at inCrowd” says Cooney. “From launching unrivalled, fan-first websites and apps for the likes of Crystal Palace, Ascot and Euroleague, using our teams data marketing expertise to drive significant engagement and commercial returns for new competitions like The Hundred and SA20 and handling the most followed sports social channels in the world with UEFA.”

“What we’ve achieved is phenomenal and there is only bigger and better to come. As I transition into my new role, I remain deeply committed to our long-term vision; this move allows me to focus on identifying new strategic opportunities and nurturing partnerships that will fuel growth, whilst supporting the outstanding InCrowd team as they help shape the future of the sports business.”

“This marks a pivotal moment in our journey. With Aidan still on board as a Non-Executive Director, InCrowd will continue to benefit from his extensive experience and strategic insight alongside the opportunity to broaden the visibility of the brilliant people we have in the InCrowd team,” says new Managing Director, Jones.

“This new direction will further increase InCrowd’s capacity to develop new knowledge and build innovative solutions for our clients in a truly holistic way; we’re here to continue driving the industry forward, with renewed focus and energy in creating lasting change in the digital sports marketing space.”

ISSF signs Eurotarget as Bronze sponsor partner

ISSF is delighted to welcome Eurotarget as a new Bronze sponsor partner.

Eurotarget, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of clay targets, combining advanced technical knowledge with environmental awareness to produce targets which are the perfect choice for shooters today.

Eurotarget is the first company to produce clay targets entirely using renewable energy. Eurotarget’s outstanding reputation is also supported by an advanced storage and distribution system, with a digitally connected warehouse that ensures record delivery times for both domestic and international clients across 70 countries. This partnership further reinforces the connection between the company and the ISSF.

ISSF President Luciano Rossi said: “It’s a unique honour to welcome Eurotarget as our new partner, since they uniquely combine a technical excellence in production with a green approach that fits perfectly with the values of ISSF in the sphere of social responsibility.”

Eurotarget’s CEO Marco Marani said “We are proud to continue to support ISSF as a sponsor. This partnership is a significant recognition of our daily commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. We strongly believe that sport must look at the future through responsible environmental choices, and we are glad to share these values with the ISSF.”

Chelsea signs DAMAC Properties as official property development partner

Chelsea Football Club has signed a new, long-term global partnership with Dubai-headquartered DAMAC Properties which becomes our Official Property Development Partner. DAMAC will also feature on Chelsea FC’s front of shirt for the rest of the season.

DAMAC Properties has been at the forefront of the Middle East’s luxury real estate market. An ultra-modern development, Chelsea Residences by DAMAC, is being designed and launched in partnership with Chelsea FC in Dubai, slated to be the first-of-its-kind football-themed branded residences.

The new development will be built with Chelsea Football Club’s famous brand woven into the fabric, from its concierge service to its high-performance spaces. It will reflect the very best of Chelsea FC both in terms of high-end style, commitment to excellence and vision for the future.

To showcase this groundbreaking, global partnership and celebrate the launch of the first-ever Chelsea Football Club branded residences, DAMAC Properties will feature on Chelsea FC men’s and women’s shirts for the remainder of the 24/25 season, with its debut at the UEFA Conference League semi-final fixture against Djurgarden this Thursday.

DAMAC announcement shirt 3
Jason Gannon, president and COO of Chelsea Football Club, said: ‘DAMAC are world renowned in building luxury properties, and we are thrilled to be working with the industry leader to bring to market a first-of-its-kind branded Chelsea FC residence in Dubai. With the club located in the heart of London, the collaboration will bring Chelsea to life in Dubai, support our continued growth on the global stage. We can’t wait to see Chelsea Residences take its place in the Dubai skyline.’

Amira Sajwani, managing director of sales & development of DAMAC Properties, said: ‘This launch marks the first of an elite collection that celebrates not just the passion of Chelsea FC but its enduring legacy, innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence. This initiative goes beyond celebrating the beautiful game; it sets a new benchmark for those who expect nothing less than the exceptional, every time.’

Located in Dubai’s newest beachfront address, Maritime City, Chelsea Residences by DAMAC is a unique project that will consist of 1,400+ residential units. Each residence will have incredible seafront views along with access to the exclusive Chelsea-branded amenities that place health, fitness and wellbeing at the heart of its offering.

Sadiq Khan Eyes 2040 Olympics as London Pushes to Become the ‘Sporting Capital of the World’

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has declared his ambition for the capital to host the Olympic Games in 2040, setting the stage for London to become the first city in history to host the prestigious event four times.

The renewed Olympic vision follows the release of a new report from the Mayor’s Office, which outlines the substantial economic benefits of staging major international sporting events. In 2023 alone, six headline events — including the UEFA Champions League final and NFL fixtures — generated a combined £230 million for the city.

With London having successfully hosted the Olympic Games in 1908, 1948 and most recently in 2012, Khan believes the city is uniquely positioned to deliver a cost-effective and world-class Games by leveraging its existing infrastructure, such as the London Stadium, the Aquatics Centre, and the Velodrome.

“We could knock it out of the park in relation to the Olympics,” Khan said in an interview with The Times. “Using the assets we already have, and spreading some events outside of London, the city could act as a hub. We could do it brilliantly — and cheaply.”

The Mayor is also backing a bid to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029, which is projected to bring in £400 million to the capital. He sees it as both an economic opportunity and a pathway to inspire the next generation of athletes, referencing icons like Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe.

“When it comes to major sports events, the public and governments are not unreasonably nervous about spending on infrastructure. But the reason 2040 makes sense for London is because the city is already equipped to host in an efficient and sustainable way,” Khan added.

The long-term vision reinforces London’s growing status as a global destination for elite sporting events — a position Khan hopes will eventually make it the “sporting capital of the world.”

Can The Masters Break From the Pack as Golf’s Fragmented Future Struggles with an Attention Economy Deficit?

Golf needs to embrace second screen production and digital audience consumption if it is to address its attention economy deficit, according to global sports agency WePlay.

In today’s hyper-competitive sports landscape, attention is the most valuable currency and nowhere is that more evident than in golf, where the rise of LIV Golf and the launch of the TGL have splintered audiences and fractured loyalties.

For the PGA Tour, the days of reliably drawing top talent to every event are gone, and the numbers are showing it. On the eve of The Masters at Augusta, one of golf’s biggest and most traditional events faces a challenge for attention as audiences fragment: last year’s Masters audience was down 20%, the lowest in 30 years, with PGA Tour event viewership also down around 20%, whilst YouTube Golf and Netflix are also potentially diluting attention away from golf’s main programming.

On the surface, the headlines for The Masters might appear bleak, but dig deeper and a different story emerges; one of innovation and evolving viewer behaviour. While traditional TV ratings have dipped, engagement through The Masters app is telling a more optimistic tale.

Google searches for The Masters app surged 20.4% year-over-year, reaching their highest level in five years. The Masters has embraced this shift and responded with significant investment in its digital platforms.

In partnership with IBM, the 2025 version of The Masters app returns with a host of new, data-rich features designed to enhance viewer experience:

  • Daily Data-Driven Recaps: Insights into how each hole played, including statistics like, “No. 14 has played difficult today, with 25% of scores resulting in bogeys.”
  • Performance-Based Projections: Real-time expectations such as, “No. 9 is projected to be the third most difficult hole today.”
  • Historical Context: Leveraging nine years of tournament data and over 180,000 shots to deliver insights like, “Shots from this location result in a birdie 82% of the time.”

And the innovation doesn’t stop there. The newly revamped Vision Pro app is offering fans a fully immersive 3D experience of Augusta National from the comfort of their own homes, ushering in a new era of virtual attendance.

No longer simply a second screen, the award-winning Masters app has become the first choice for many fans, offering an experience tailored to the preferences of modern audiences, whether following specific players, groups, or holes, so viewers can craft their own broadcasts, aligning perfectly with today’s algorithm-driven consumption habits and the growing popularity of sports betting.

Michael Harvey, Head of Strategy at sports marketing agency WePlay, commented: “Fan attention is the ultimate currency in sports, fuelling value for broadcasters, sponsors, and marketers. The Masters has realised that audiences want not just the ability to curate their own experience, but the data and analysis to go with it, leading to a fan attention migration rather than deficit during The Masters weekend.”

“The apps enhanced the experience for those who want to watch every shot, follow their favourite player(s) or dip in and out to see if their bets are going to come in or not. The fan experience delivered through the app is in part due to effort and thought put into the engineering and features but also through The Master’s unique approach to broadcast rights and what they’re able to offer & retain.”

“I have no doubt that The Masters overall audience figures, taking app usage into account, will continue to set the benchmark for other traditional golf events and serves to underline the importance of innovation and curation to provide audiences with the content that they want.”

Golf is more and more popular on the course and has an increasingly growing follower base on social media with PGA Tour and The Masters seeing growth on Instagram of 3.65% & 4.15% and 9.72% & 21.6% across YouTube over the past 9 months respectively, according to data from WePlay’s Power Rankings.

Harvey added: “Along with The Masters supplementing its TV broadcast with their award-winning app, golf is increasingly finding new ways to reach its audience. Utiltising the growing trend towards YouTube and Social Media golf starts that we have seen Bryson DeChambeau use to change the perception surrounding him in recent years.”

As the rest of golf grapples with fractured formats and shifting allegiances, The Masters has quietly engineered its own kind of revolution, not through louder headlines, but by meeting fans where they are, and where they’re going.

Taking Hockey to the Sand: Greg Mill on World Beach Hockey’s Global Vision and Olympic Ambitions

In an exclusive conversation with iSportConnect’s Taruka Srivastav, Greg Mill, President of World Beach Hockey, shares the journey of transforming a fun beachside experiment into a globally recognized sport. From Australia’s shores to a worldwide movement backed by the FIH, Mills discusses the rapid rise of Beach Hockey, its youth-centric digital strategy, Olympic aspirations, and how the sport is becoming a tool for inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability in modern sport.

What inspired the launch and global push for World Beach Hockey as a standalone sport, and how do you see it complementing traditional field hockey?

My wife and I attended the Men’s World Cup in the Hague in 2014 where at the same time the inaugural Beach Hockey festival was also held. This hybrid version of hockey was captivating and as we have great beaches in Australia we took it back home a year later. In October 2023 The Federation of International hockey approved World Beach Hockey as a recognized organization. Field hockey is a technical sport, not easy to pick up for first timers. Beach Hockey is a safe and fun version of hockey that is easy to play for those who have not held a stick before.  Statistics over 4 years have shown that a high percentage of first time players who tried beach hockey then transferred across to playing eleven a side and indoor hockey so was a great compliment to bringing new players to hockey.

Can you share your vision for World Beach Hockey over the next five years, both in terms of participation and international reach?

We are looking to have 100 nations playing beach hockey by the end of 2026, we are well on our way to this target. Or main focus is to introduce it to young players but we are getting participation feedback from adults, Masters and all abilities athletes.  We also are planning to have a focus over the coming years to empower young girls and women to take up the sport.

Beach sports often appeal to younger audiences — how is World Beach Hockey leveraging this trend to build fan engagement and digital-first communities?

Our marketing focus is to sell beach hockey to youth as a fun, fast and action packed sport. Our marketing tag is Xtreme Beach Hockey.  We plan to run events around the world allowing kids to try out and enjoy the benefits of beach hockey. Instagram and YouTube will be used to focus on this community.

What role does innovation—whether in format, rules, or technology—play in the evolution of Beach Hockey as a spectator-friendly sport?

Beach Hockey is a visual sport played on the sand and in a state of the art inflatable beach hockey pitch. It lends itself to broadcast opportunities to showcase the action. Beach Hockey rules allow a high scoring game where you  can score from anywhere on the pitch Arial balls are also a major highlight of competition.

Which markets or regions are showing the most growth potential for Beach Hockey, and how is your federation supporting their development?

We are growing quickly in all five continents,  in Europe, Germany, Netherlands and Italy,  Pan America- Puerto Rico, Mexico and Argentina,  Asia-India, Oceania- New Zealand and Australia and Africa- Egypt, Kenya and the Middle East- Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. We work closely with all national federations  to support them with marketing, training  and access to specific beach hockey equipment.

What are your ambitions regarding inclusion in multi-sport events like the Youth Olympics or even the Olympic Games?

The IOC through the ANOC organization now run the World Beach games (the Olympics for beach sports) Our organization is submitting to participate in the next World Beach Games in 2027 We also have plans to run both a Junior World Cup and Adult World cup in the future.

From a commercial perspective, what types of brand partnerships are you exploring or hoping to secure to help scale the sport?

Beach Hockey is a great opportunity for sponsorship partners to showcase their products. We are looking to work with hotel chains, sports apparel, sports eye wear, drink companies. But any brand would work within our sponsor partnership arrangements.

 Sustainability is crucial in modern sport—how is World Beach Hockey ensuring that its events are environmentally responsible, especially in coastal settings?

Sustainability  of the beach environment is a key focus of our sports organization. This includes ensuring environmentally conscious beach clean ups are initiated,  no plastics are disposed of and proper waste disposal occurs. We also have a respect and maintenance for the natural ecosystems in coastal regions.

How are you approaching gender equality and grassroots access in your global development plans?

We have  gender equality guidelines These guidelines confirm how much inclusivity is a crucial principle for beach hockey hockey. No matter the gender, the age, the physical or intellectual ability, the religion, the sexual orientation, the ethnic or social background, everyone is welcome in our sport!”.  Our guidelines are based on the following main principles:

-Favouring gender equal, diverse and inclusive representation of the hockey community;

-Avoiding bias or negative stereotypes on gender and diversity;

-Generating new strong, positive, and diverse role models.

What message would you like to send to potential stakeholders—sponsors, broadcasters, and federations—about why now is the right time to get involved with World Beach Hockey?

The opportunity of coming onboard with a new, innovative and exciting new sport does not come along very often. Beach sports are the new frontier for sports participation  so for sponsors, broadcasters and federations it is a wonderful  chance to join us in the evolution of beach hockey around the world.