LIV Golf Invitational Series Set To Launch In June 2022 With New Formats, Teams, and More Than $250MM in Prize Purses

LIV Golf Invitational Series has launched with the mission to modernize and supercharge the game of golf via expanded golf opportunities for fans and players alike. The eight-event series will showcase an innovative new golf format starting in June 2022 featuring teams playing for more than $250MM in prize purses.

LIV Golf Investments is providing more than $400MM in seed money to launch the series which will be the building blocks of a next generation golf experience. Each event will consist of three rounds with 54 holes and no cut, as well as shotgun starts to ensure a faster and more exciting pace. As a result, players will consistently play head-to-head against their rivals throughout the year, providing fans with an unmatched experience.

Fan research indicates a significant number of new fans would be enticed by a faster paced and shorter variation and non-traditional format of play. With smaller fields, fewer rounds, fewer events, shorter playing windows and modified shotgun starts, these events have been designed with fans as the top priority.

“I want golf to grow, players to have additional opportunities, and fans to have more fun. My mission is to help the game reach its full potential and we know the role of golf as an entertainment product is critical to overall participation in the sport,” said Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf Investments. “In many ways, we are a start-up. We have a long-term vision and aim to grow. I believe we have a very bright and exciting future.”

In this first year, the series will develop this new golf experience over seven regular season events culminating in a Team Championship match play grand finale. Four events are slated to take place in the United States and three events are to be staged internationally with the Team Championship venue to be announced at a later date. The schedule will not compete with the Majors, international team events or heritage events so players, who are independent contractors, will always be able to make their own choices about where to play.

Team golf has proven it has the ability to produce many of the game’s most exciting moments, and it is at the heart of the new structure. In year one, there will be a max of 48 players on 12 four-man teams and a truly global field with golfers invited from all tours around the world to beta test the new format. Each event will have teams comprised of different players determined by a draft the week of the event.

“Our events are truly additive to the world of golf. We have done our best to create a schedule that allows players to play elsewhere, while still participating in our events.  I believe players will increasingly make progress in achieving their right to play where they want. We will help in any way possible and will provide golfers with opportunities to achieve their full potential,” said Norman.

Total prize purse for the eight events will reach an unprecedented $255MM. The first seven regular season events will carry a total purse of $25MM comprised of $20MM in individual prizes (all players in the field earn a share) and $5MM for the top three teams. Following the first seven events, an Individual Champion will be crowned offering a total purse of $30MM for the top three individuals of the season. The season-ending eighth event will be a Team Championship that will provide $50MM in total prize funds.

The LIV Golf Invitational 2022 schedule will visit the following dates and locations:

  • June 9 – 11: Centurion Golf Club – London
  • July 1 – 3: Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club – Portland
  • July 29 – 31: Trump National Golf Club Bedminster – New Jersey
  • Sept 2 – 4: The International – Boston
  • Sept 16 – 18: Rich Harvest Farms – Chicago
  • Oct 7 – 9: Stonehill Golf Club – Bangkok
  • Oct 14 – 16: Royal Greens Golf Club – Jeddah
  • Oct 28 – 30: Team Championship

As part of LIV’s commitment to the game, plans include a major charitable contribution as part of the organization’s corporate social responsibility program.

LIV Golf Invitational Series is owned and operated by LIV Golf Investments whose vision and mission is centered around making holistic and sustainable investments to enhance the global golf ecosystem and unlock the sport’s untapped worldwide potential.

McLaren Racing Announces Major Multi-Year Partnership With Google For Formula 1 And Extreme E Teams

McLaren Racing today announced a major multi-year partnership with Google, as a new Official Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team and the McLaren MX Extreme E Team from 2022.

The partnership will bring the best of Google products to McLaren to provide a more seamless technology experience across devices. Throughout the season, McLaren will use 5G-enabled Android devices and Chrome browser across its operations during practice sessions, qualifying and races to support the drivers and team, with the goal of improving on-track performance. 

Android and Chrome branding will be carried on the engine cover and wheel covers of the MCL36 Formula 1 race cars, and on the helmets and race suits of McLaren Formula 1 drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo from the 2022 Formula 1 season.

Meanwhile, Google branding will also be visible on the Number 58 McLaren MX Extreme E race car, and on the race suits of McLaren MX Extreme E drivers Emma Gilmour and Tanner Foust from the 2022 Island X Prix.

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said: 

“We are absolutely delighted and proud to welcome Google to the McLaren Racing family. Google is a global leader in technology and has been a ground-breaking innovator in connecting people around the world. By integrating platforms like Android and Chrome across our operations, our team will be better supported to focus on driving performance. We’re looking forward to an exciting partnership that spans across Formula 1 and Extreme E.”

Nicholas Drake, VP of Marketing, Google, said: 

“McLaren Racing represents the very best of what’s possible on a racetrack across performance, inclusion and sustainability, and those are values we share at Google. We’re bringing more innovation to platforms, like Android and Chrome, and seamlessly connecting them to other Google services to optimize McLaren’s race day performance.”

BetPARX Partners With The Memorial Tournament Presented By Workday And Becomes A PGA TOUR Official Betting Operator

Following the State of Ohio’s passage of sports wagering legislation, betPARX has partnered with the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday for mobile sports betting access in Ohio. Additionally, betPARX will become an Official Betting Operator of the PGA TOUR.

As part of the agreement, betPARX will become the exclusive mobile sports betting sponsor of the Memorial Tournament, which is held annually in the spring at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. betPARX plans to offer branded fan experiences during Memorial Tournament week to elevate even further one of the leading events on the PGA TOUR.

“First and foremost, we would like to express our appreciation to the State Legislators in the House and Senate that worked for many years to develop the well thought out legislation,” said Dan Sullivan, executive director of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday. “The Memorial Tournament joins Ohio’s other professional sports franchises in recognizing the time and energy put into legalizing sports gaming. Further, we are excited to partner with betPARX to help bring its platform to Ohio and offer an enhanced fan experience at the Memorial Tournament beginning in 2022 and for years to come.”

The 2022 Memorial Tournament presented by Workday will be held the week of May 30 – June 5 and will be broadcast on CBS, Golf Channel and PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+.

“betPARX Sportsbook is thrilled to partner with both the Memorial Tournament and the PGA TOUR,” said Matthew Cullen, senior vice president of sports at betPARX. “This is a significant moment as we expand the betPARX business into new states such as Ohio with a new brand and a faster, easier betting experience with the all-new betPARX app. betPARX will have the most comprehensive live golf betting capabilities in the market through our partnership with the PGA TOUR. We see golf as critical to our business at a time in which there is a resurgence in participation and viewership. The Midwest is a focal point for our business as we expand and Ohio’s central position to these adjacent states makes this a highly important market to us.”

Under the Ohio sports wagering bill, the Memorial Tournament and betPARX will apply for a Type A license, which would allow betPARX to offer its mobile sports wagering platform throughout Ohio. The State will grant licenses and launch sports wagering by January 1, 2023.

“The PGA TOUR supports the State of Ohio’s progressive thinking and approach to sports betting,” said Norb Gambuzza, senior vice president of media and gaming at the PGA TOUR. “We are excited to partner with betPARX and The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday to help grow the betPARX platform and be a part of delivering regulated sports betting to Ohio.”

In addition, betPARX will become an Official Betting Operator of the PGA TOUR as it expands its mobile sports wagering presence in key markets throughout the United States. As an Official Betting Operator, betPARX will have rights to use PGA TOUR marks, video highlights and other intellectual property on its sports wagering platform, among other benefits.

“The Memorial Tournament is proud to welcome betPARX as our mobile sports betting sponsor,” said Jack Nicklaus II, General Chairman, the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday. “We are fortunate to align with such a strong organization that shares in our interest to provide this new opportunity to golf and sports fans throughout the State while maintaining the integrity of the game and the tournament. My father created the Memorial Tournament in 1976 as a method of giving back to the state and the community he and my mom have loved. For the past 47 years, the Memorial has drawn countless number of fans and generated millions for Nationwide Children’s Hospital and so many other deserving charities. With the introduction of sports betting and through the betPARX relationship, the Memorial Tournament will continue to generate interest and support through a broader fan base for years to come.”

Following the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, the PGA TOUR instituted a robust integrity program in collaboration with Genius Sports and later that year announced a global partnership with IMG ARENA to license its official, live scoring data to betting operators around the world. The PGA TOUR is a platinum member of the National Council on Problem Gambling and is aligned with the American Gaming Association (AGA) as a Have A Game Plan®. Bet Responsibly public service campaign partner to educate golf fans on responsible sports betting.

Sky Sports Announces Four-Year Deal With SANZAAR To Show Wealth Of Southern Hemisphere Rugby Union

Sky Sports has today announced that it has secured an extension to the broadcast rights to the very best rugby union from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.  

The agreement provides viewers with at least 150 fixtures a year headlined by the best club and international matches from the southern hemisphere until 2025, including Home Nations Summer Tours, The Rugby Championship, Super Rugby & domestic competitions in South Africa & New Zealand: The Currie Cup and The National Provincial Championship respectively.   

In addition, Sky Sports customers will now be able to view a range of summer tours in 2022 as the Home Nations head below the equator, including Australia vs. England, South Africa vs. Wales, New Zealand vs. Ireland and Argentina vs. Scotland. 

Jonathan Licht, Sky Sports Managing Director said:

“SANZAAR rugby has been in Sky Sports’ DNA for almost 30 years and we’re pleased to continue our important and valued partnership with SANZAAR to give our customers the very best rugby the southern hemisphere has to offer.” 

SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said:

“We welcome Sky aboard once again as our broadcast partner in the UK and Ireland. Sky has been a broadcast partner of SANZAAR for a very long time and we have a very strong and professional relationship that has seen our tournaments delivered into this major rugby market. Super Rugby Pacific continues to be a world class tournament featuring some of the best players in the world. It is followed by The Rugby Championship when current world champions South Africa will battle the All Blacks, Wallabies and Pumas for southern hemisphere supremacy.” 

This weekend, live on Sky Sports, there are four Super Rugby clashes to keep across, and it begins with an all-Australian affair as table-toppers the Brumbies host the Reds in an 8.45am kick off on Friday.  

On Saturday, there are three Super Rugby offerings as Fijian Drua – one of two new franchises making their competition debut in 2022 – host Australia’s Western Force (3.35am kick off), Moana Pasifika – the other new franchise making their debut in Super Rugby this year – facing New Zealand’s Chiefs in a 6.05am kick off, plus Australian pair the Waratahs vs Rebels meeting each other in an 8.45am kick off. For more details on this weekend’s fixtures visit – https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union.  

The continuation of the SANZAAR rights deal adds to a multitude of top-level sporting action on Sky Sports. Some of other the headline events in 2022 include every race exclusively live from the 2021 F1 season, all men’s and women’s golf majors, The Hundred, Premier League, EFL, WSL and SPFL football. 

Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation Announces Long-Term Commercial Partnership With IMG

The Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) has announced a long-term commercial partnership with IMG for the next six Arab Gulf Cup tournaments, being held from 2023  to 2031. 

As part of the deal, IMG will build a stronger presence in the region to deliver a full scope of services  including the marketing of media rights, all sponsorship areas, and corporate hospitality sales. IMG will also work to ensure the highest standards of production coverage for the eight-team biennial tournament.

IMG will market media rights across all platforms, and sponsorship sales will include tournament naming rights and perimeter boards.

His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the AGCFF, said: “We value this partnership with IMG and look forward to them playing a vital role in the marketing and promotion of our tournaments, knowing full well that the Arab Gulf Cup is a competition that is anticipated by football fans throughout the region and beyond.

“Through this partnership, we will be able to build upon the tremendous momentum that has been created over the years and will continue to develop the highest standards for all of our competitions.”

Adam Kelly, Co-President, Media & Events at IMG, said: “This is a very exciting partnership for IMG, and we believe our investment in the tournament will be transformational for the Arab Gulf Cup.”

He added: “IMG will employ a dedicated team of experienced executives based in the Gulf and plan to significantly expand our presence on the ground to maximize the commercial potential of this prestigious event. This, in addition to our strong existing relationships with long-term broadcast partners in the region and the international power and strength of the IMG network, will grow and enhance the competition further.”

The Arab Gulf Cup is a historic biennial tournament that brings together the national teams of Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. 

The 25th edition of the tournament was recently postponed to January 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, IMG will begin its work on commercial activities related to the two next events (the 25th and 26th editions) followed by tournaments in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031.

The tournament format consists of two groups of four with the top two qualifying for the semi finals and the winners contesting the final. Bahrain is the current Gulf champion, having won the title in the 24th Gulf Cup held in Doha in 2019.

Premiership Rugby To Launch The Smart Rugby Ball, Famous Grouse Sponsors Gallagher Premiership Rugby On ITV Sport

THE PREMIERSHIP Rugby Cup will – this Friday – become the first professional northern hemisphere competition to trial the Smart Rugby Ball, which will provide new, real-time data-led insights for teams, coaches, fans at the games, as well as TV viewers at home.

In partnership with Sportable, BT Sport and Gilbert, Premiership Rugby will trial the use of the new Smart Ball to generate high-speed data to drive better athlete performance on the field, as well as new content and insight for fans and viewers at home.

Former England outside-half Paul Grayson, an ambassador for Gilbert Rugby, has been at the forefront of the new smart ball development, working with Sportable CEO Dugald Macdonald and the team of scientists at Sportable to develop a ball that will be used in all 15 remaining Premiership Rugby Cup matches this season.

Macdonald said: “We’re delighted to be working with Premiership Rugby on the first live deployment of the Gilbert Smart Ball in a tier one rugby union competition in the northern hemisphere.

“We are thrilled to be working with such a forward-thinking organisation like Premiership Rugby. Their team has embraced all features of our technology and together we have a fantastic opportunity to enhance the game even further both on and off the field.

“This is the result of years of hard work, investment and cutting edge scientific thinking, so it’s super exciting to now see the Smart Ball being embraced by leading rights holder Partners across the globe.”

The innovation will enable BT Sport to open up a range of metrics that TV audiences in the northern hemisphere have not had the opportunity to see until now. Hang-time and accuracy on box kicks will show how difficult they are and how brilliant some players are at them. Territorial gain will give a good picture of how brave kickers are being when going for touch from a pen kick. And ground reload will give an idea of how quick scrum-halves are at getting the ball away from a ruck.

The Premiership Rugby Cup competition has already trialled a system where match officials can speak directly to supporters to explain on-field decisions and now the levels of innovation will move to the ball.

Phil Winstanley, the Rugby Director at Premiership Rugby said: “We are constantly looking at innovations and ways to grow the game and we are delighted to have chosen to trial this new smart ball.

“This season we have brought live Premiership rugby back to terrestrial TV, launched PRTV Live – so all Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches are now available to watch live – and now we hope this new rugby ball will help provide a greater insight for a new audience, while deepening our relationship with our current fans.

“The smart ball also gives our players and coaches the ability to improve performance on the field and in training with unique data. Touring our clubs with the ball in recent weeks has shown us that the players and coaches can’t wait to get started with it.”

Jamie Hindhaugh, chief operating officer, BT Sport: “We are proud to further deepen our near decade-long relationship with Premiership Rugby by bringing our viewers even closer to rugby than ever before. We are continually looking to give our viewers more ways to watch, such as live action in stunning 4K UHD with HDR or via our App which is available on more devices than ever such as smart TVs and games consoles.”

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips inside the ball communicate with sensors around the stadium up to 20 times every second. Sportable’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool then automatically enables precise information and insights about the ball’s movement when it is passed and kicked – such as speed, distance and hang-time, for example – to be seen in real-time by teams and coaches, fans at the game, and packaged up by BT Sport for use in its broadcast of this Friday night’s Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers Premiership Rugby Cup game, as part of an enhanced graphics analysis tool.

Alongside the benefits to teams and fans, the project will also be used to assess the value that the Smart Ball can add to officiating through the automatic detection of forward passes. While this won’t be a fan facing activity in the first instance, the research on the forward pass could prove pivotal in informing enhancements for match officials moving forward and assist in the broader, continuing efforts to avoid long TMO delays and speed up the game.

Expect to see new insights into the kicking and passing that determines the balance of the game.

  • e.g. fastest/longest passers
  • which teams play a more expansive game through longer, wider passing?
  • passing trends off left/right hands
  • who are the most powerful, most accurate kickers?
  • which players/teams are taking more/less risk in their clearance kicking game and gaining more territory?
  • which players/teams are setting up turnover and disruption opportunities through effective hang-times on box kicks, restarts and up & unders?

Famous Grouse Sponsors Gallagher Premiership Rugby On ITV Sport

The Famous Grouse, the no.1 Whisky in the UK, has strengthened its partnership with Premiership Rugby by becoming the official broadcaster partner for Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches and highlights programmes on ITV Sport.

The partnership, brokered by Publicis Media Content, includes the weekly highlights show and four live Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches, in addition to the Final which will be shown free-to-air for the first time in the competition’s history.

This partnership will see The Famous Grouse build on more than 30 years of heritage with the sport of rugby, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to developing the great game for generations to come.

The Famous Grouse shares many similarities with the sport of rugby, including skill, craft and an unwavering dedication to be the best of the best. The ongoing The Spirit of Rugby campaign celebrates these common values by leveraging several exciting partnerships to embody the sport’s unparalleled sportsmanship and camaraderie, driving engagement with rugby fans across the UK.

Mark Brittain, Premiership Rugby’s Chief Commercial Officer, said:

“This new deal shows the strengthening of the partnership between Premiership Rugby and The Famous Grouse, who have been our Official Whisky Partner since 2020.

“The Famous Grouse couldn’t have picked a better match to start with as the Sale Sharks vs. Leicester Tigers match was the most-watched in the history of Premiership Rugby with almost 800,000 viewers on ITV.”

Neil Skinner, Marketing Director Edrington UK, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to have agreed a deal to become the official broadcaster partner for Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches and highlights programmes on ITV Sport, particularly with the eagerly awaited Final set to be shown free-to-air for the very first time this year.

“The Famous Grouse has been investing in the sport of rugby for more than 30 years and we are very proud to have reaffirmed our commitment to this great game by extending this partnership with Premiership Rugby. We share great heritage with rugby and we’re sure this partnership will help to further strengthen our reputation, drive brand awareness and benefit all stakeholders involved with the sport.”

FC Barcelona And Spotify Seal A Strategic Long-Term Partnership In Sports And Entertainment

The platform’s company name will appear on the front of both Men’s and Women’s team shirt and training kits. For the first time, the global audio streaming platform becomes Title Partner of the Stadium, which will be rebranded as Spotify Camp Nou.

FC Barcelona and Spotify, the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, have reached an agreement for the Swedish company to become the Main Partner of the Club and the Official Audio Streaming Partner. The brand will appear on the front of both Men’s and Women’s team shirts beginning in the 2022/23 season and for the next four seasons.

Spotify will also sponsor the training shirts beginning in the 2022/23 season for the next three seasons. Spotify and FC Barcelona will be working together to create opportunities for the iconic shirt to become a space that can celebrate artists from across the world. As part of the collaboration, for the very first time in the Club’s history, the Stadium will be rebranded as Spotify Camp Nou. The vision for the partnership is to create a new platform to help artists interact with FC Barcelona’s global community of fans.

Espai Barça

The agreement approved and signed by the Board of Directors of FC Barcelona, is subject to the ratification of the Extraordinary Delegate Members Assembly that will take place the following 3rd of April, through an electronic voting procedure. The Club will soon facilitate all of the logistical details, coinciding with the public announcement of the meeting.

Within the framework of this new alliance, Spotify will become the Main Partner of the Club from the 2022/23 season. The long-term agreement for the stadium’s title rights, begins in July 2022 and will continue over the ambitious redevelopment of the Camp Nou site, as part of the Espai Barça project which will transform the Club’s facilities and environment into a world-class, new integrated Barça entertainment experience open to the city.  

A first-of-its-kind partnership and a unique space for artists

The partnership reached by Barça and Spotify is a first-of-its-kind for the club in bringing the worlds of Music and Football together, giving a global stage to players and artists at the Spotify Camp Nou Stadium, and building new opportunities to connect artists and players with fans around the world.  The collaboration also unifies the Main Partner across both Men’s and Women’s kits as part of both organizations commitment to cultivating and supporting diverse talent now and for future generations.

Furthermore, FC Barcelona and Spotify will be working to use the Club’s in-stadium promotional surfaces to present and amplify the work of artists to the Blaugrana’s global TV audience. With the development of Espai Barça, Spotify is joining the club in the next chapter of its history.

The collaboration with Spotify is also part of the Club’s goal to proactively seek partners who share the values and philosophy that define its brand and, at the same time, allow it to retain its status as a global benchmark, inside and outside of the playing fields, in an increasingly competitive environment.

Statement of Joan Laporta, President of FC Barcelona

“We are very proud to announce a pioneering alliance like this with a world-renowned organization like Spotify. This partnership will allow us to continue to bring the Club closer to its fans and make them feel, even more, part of the Barça family through unique experiences, combining two activities such as entertainment and football, making it possible for us to connect with new audiences around the world.

It is also a union with which we continue to take steps forward in this new era that we have started, and which demonstrates, once again, the innovative character and the constant search of excellence that distinguish Barça and have made it a unique club in the world.”

Statement of Alex Norström, Chief Freemium Business Officer, Spotify

“We could not be more thrilled to be partnering with FC Barcelona to bring the worlds of Music and Football together. From July, our collaboration will offer a global stage to Artists, Players and Fans at the newly-branded Spotify Camp Nou. We have always used our marketing investment to amplify Artists and this partnership will take this approach to a new scale. We’re excited to create new opportunities to connect with FC Barcelona’s worldwide fanbase.

Spotify’s mission is to unlock the potential of human creativity, supporting artists to make a living off their art and connecting with fans. We believe this partnership creates many opportunities to deliver on this mission in unique, imaginative, and impactful ways.”

FIS and IPC Discuss Future Governance Of Three Para Snow Sports

The International Ski Federation (FIS) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have announced on Tuesday 15th March that the two organisations are in discussions about the transfer of governance of three Para Snow Sports.

The IPC Governing Board has granted FIS preferred status in relation to the sports of Para Alpine Skiing, Para Cross-Country skiing and Para Snowboard.

IPC and FIS held a meeting during the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games about the transfer of governance and further development of Para Snow Sports.

FIS President Johan Eliasch said, “It was a big step for both FIS and the IPC to hold these important discussions. Many of our National Ski Associations already have the Para Snow Sports under their umbrella and it is the clear next step to bring the governance of these sports under the FIS umbrella. We look forward to taking the next steps in order to be ready to welcome the Para disciplines and their athletes to the FIS Family.”

IPC President Andrew Parsons said: “The discussions held in Beijing show that the IPC and FIS share a common vision about the future of the Para Snow Sports. Since the announcement of the managed process of the World Para Sports we have said that this decision had as a main objective the continued development and growth of the sports which are currently governed by the IPC. We believe that this can be achieved together with FIS and will continue our conversations on the next steps to be taken in this process.”

FIS has a long history with Para Snow Sports and has previously supported the IPC by signing two Memorandums of Understanding in 2011 and 2018. As a part of those MOUs, FIS officials were officiating the World Cups, World Championships, and Paralympic Winter Games delivered on FIS Homologated courses.

The Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games have served as a chance for FIS and the IPC to have further engagement and transfer knowledge related to these three Para Snow Sports.

Over the coming months, the IPC and FIS will be in contact with the different Para Snow Sport stakeholders with more detailed information specific to each stakeholder group.

Host City 2022 Set For Glasgow, Scotland On 15-16 November

Host City 2022 conference and exhibition, the world’s largest meeting of cities and sports business events, is set for in-person attendance in Glasgow, Scotland on 15-16 November.

Host City 2022 builds on the phenomenal success of recent digital editions and anticipates a welcome return to face-to-face content, exhibition and networking in the Technology and Innovation Centre, where Host City was staged from 2015 to 2019.

By 2019, Host City attracted 350 delegates and 35 exhibitors to Glasgow. Host City’s growth continued online through the pandemic, reaching 500 to 1000 attendees in 2020 and 2021. The brand is also expanding globally, with the second Host City Americas taking place online on 29 June.

Host City 2022 is supported by EventScotland, Glasgow Life and Glasgow Convention Bureau Scotland and Glasgow for the eighth consecutive year.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland said: “EventScotland has a strong partnership with Host City and we are delighted to be continuing our support of the conference as we welcome it back to Scotland and Glasgow in 2022.

“Over the last 22 months the global events industry has shown its ability to adapt, respond and innovate and as we move forward with optimism, Host City 2022 will once again provide the ideal platform for cities and sport event businesses to come together and share new ideas and best practice.

“We look forward to seeing everyone in person this November.”

Dr. Bridget McConnell CBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Host City back to Glasgow for the eighth time, and for the first in-person event since 2019.

“Like all other cities across the world, Glasgow is intensely focussed on our recovery from the pandemic and a key factor in that recovery is hosting major international events. We’ve got a strong track record in that regard and that’s why we’re, once again, the ideal hosts for the 2022 conference.

“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming all delegates and organisations to the city later this year.”

In his opening address to Host City 2021, Ivo Ferriani, President of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF) and SportAccord said:

“After this invitation I am very much looking forward to come to Scotland. I will come to meet my great maestro Craig Reedie but also my great friend Kate Caithness, President of the World Curling Federation. For sure I cannot wait to visit you in Glasgow, because you are role models for all of us.”

Host City’s owner, Cavendish Group is also staging its second Host City Americas event online on 29 June, under the tagline Where Events and Tech Meet.

Ben Avison, Editorial and Conference Director of Host City said “Since its move to Glasgow in 2015, Host City has grown immensely, in both physical and online formats. Two Asian editions and our recent expansion into the Americas have also helped to increase our reach.

“There is immense pent-up demand for the events industry to meet face-to-face in 2022, and there is no better forum than Host City in Glasgow on Scotland’s perfect stage.

“We anticipate an extremely lively gathering on 15-16 November 2022. And with many pressing global issues on the agenda, we can look forward to important exchanges that shape the course of major events for good.”

Image: Ivo Ferriani, IOC Executive Board Member and President of GAISF, IBSF and SportAccord, is Keynote Speaker at Host City 2022 (Photo: IBSF)

Formula 1 And Tata Communications Announce Multi-Year Strategic Collaboration

Formula 1 and Tata Communications today are delighted to announce a multi-year strategic collaboration, with Tata Communications returning to sport as the Official Broadcast Connectivity Provider of Formula 1, to deliver and enhance a world-class, technologically advanced experience for fans globally.

Tata Communications will empower Formula 1 with global end-to-end managed network services for video contribution, thereby transforming the motorsports experience. For this, the company will facilitate the transfer of more than 100 video feeds and over 250 audio channels to be transmitted between the Grand Prix venue and F1’s Media & Technology Centre in the UK every race weekend in under 200 milliseconds, enabling F1 to broadcast to over 500m fans in 180+ territories globally.

Tata Communications’ industry-recognised and built-for-media connectivity solutions will enable Formula 1 to transform the broadcast content production worldwide while continuing to support the sport’s drive for agility and sustainability. Following the introduction of Formula 1’s remote broadcast operations in 2020, Tata Communications has allowed reduction in the organisation’s travelling freight by 34%.

Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Tata Communications back as a partner following previous successes in our partnerships. They have been an integral part of our growth journey over the last decade, and we completely trust their expertise and abilities to deliver what we need for our fans. This trust has been built over many years of working together, pushing forward advancements in technology in sport – on and off the track. Tata Communications’ connectivity continue to support F1’s drive for agility and sustainability with remote production introduced in 2020 – part of our aim to be Net-Zero Carbon by 2030. We are excited to grow together in the future and share the incredible journey Formula 1 is on.”

Amur S Lakshminarayanan, MD and CEO, Tata Communications, said:

“As businesses evolve to a digital-first model, I believe the sporting world also has a great opportunity to leverage technology for delivering innovative and exhilarating experiences to motorsports enthusiasts. And, Formula 1 is at the core of all things speed, action and thrill. We are delighted to renew our relationship and empower Formula 1’s tomorrow, today!”