Sports News
Two wins for Téo Calvet at Le Mans, title decision moves to Albi
On Sunday, he retired from the first race after contact with another competitor and finished sixth in the second race, having started from last place. Téo Calvet is now second in the championship with 613 points. The title will be decided at the final round of the season in Albi. Saturday Calvet arrived at Le Mans as championship leader, and on Saturday he considerably strengthened his position by taking pole position in the morning and converting it into a straightforward win in the first race. The second race was run with a reverse starting grid, meaning Calvet had to start from the back. However, the 25-year-old Frenchman gradually worked his way through the field, clinching victory in the very final corner. "It was an amazing day. Pole position in the morning, victory in the first race, and victory in the second race in the evening. I'm absolutely delighted. It was a great spectacle on the track, plenty of action, especially in the night race. I overtook José Sousa in the final corner and took the lead. There were loads of battles and the crowd was cheering a lot," said Calvet. Sunday In qualifying for race one, Calvet once again demonstrated his pace, securing pole position with more than half a second over his closest rival, Thomas Robineau. But he was unable to capitalize on his starting position as there was contact with another competitor on the first lap. "The day didn't go to plan. After a really great qualifying session, where I had a lead of more than half a second over Thomas Robineau, contact with José Sousa in the first race of the day took me out of the race. I punctured my front tire. It's incredibly unlucky," said Calvet. Due to the incident in race one, Calvet started the second race from last place, but still managed to finish sixth. "In the final race, I had to start from last place. It was really, really tough. I managed to get up to sixth place when I overtook the last driver literally on the finish line," said Calvet. What’s next The mixed results of the weekend mean that Calvet is now in second place of the championship with 613 points, with Robineau having 625 points. The title fight will thus move to the next and final race of the season, taking place in Albi, on 10 and 11 October. "After the incident in the first race, we lost our lead in the championship, so we're now twelve points behind Robineau. It's going to be a tough title fight in Albi," Calvet added.
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BUGGYRA switches to Mercedes-Benz for Dakar 2027, launching a new multi-year rally-raid project
Calvet chases fourth straight Le Mans weekend victory
- September 24, 2026Sports
Šoltys is heading for Rallye du Maroc. He wants to enjoy racing again after a long break
The crew’s main task will be to cover as many kilometres as possible in the sand. The experience gained on the challenging Moroccan terrain is more important to them than the result itself. “Martin and his crew are heading to Morocco mainly to refresh their skills in driving on sand. After quite some time, they will have the chance to cover a substantial number of kilometres on terrain that is crucial for competing in the Dakar Rally. For us, the important thing now is for Martin and the lads to enjoy the race, get back into the swing of things and gain as much experience as possible,” says Jan Kalivoda, Head of Communications at Buggyra ZM Racing. Šoltys is looking forward to the Moroccan kilometres all the more because the originally planned opportunity to race in Spain has fallen through. The Rallye du Maroc will therefore be his first real opportunity in a long time to fully experience racing on sand again. “There isn’t much new with the Invictus, as we’re focusing on building a new car. I’d like to take that to the Dakar, and there are some new features on it. The Invictus has remained as it was after the Dakar; we’ve only made minor adjustments to it,” explains Šoltys. The construction of the new truck is currently one of Buggyra’s main projects. In Morocco, it will therefore be particularly important for Šoltys to regain his confidence behind the wheel and make the most of the challenging desert environment. “We’re mainly going to Morocco with the Invictus for a test, as we haven’t raced much this year. Spain was cancelled, so I’m looking forward to enjoying the rally in Morocco after such a long time. Especially in the sand,” says the Czech driver. And it is the sand that he will be focusing on most. The Moroccan rally will offer several days in the desert and plenty of opportunities for the crew to refresh their memory of the specifics of driving in the dunes and other sandy sections. “I expect everything to go smoothly, we’ll have a good drive, achieve a decent result and be happy with it,” adds Šoltys. The Rallye du Maroc will take place from 28 September to 3 October. The rally will start in Agadir on the Atlantic coast and finish in Zagora on the edge of the Sahara. The opening day will be followed by five special stages, with the first running from Agadir to Zagora and the remaining four taking the form of loops around the town. The total planned distance is approximately 2,838 kilometres, of which roughly 1,656 kilometres will be competitive special-stage kilometres. The route will feature mountain passes, dunes, canyons and other challenging desert terrain. For Martin Šoltys and his crew, the Rallye du Maroc will, above all, mark a return to racing in the environment they love most. Covering as many kilometres as possible in the sand, having a trouble-free rally and simply enjoying the drive will carry greater weight this time than the final standings. https://www.facebook.com/BUGGYRA https://twitter.com/buggyra_racing https://www.linkedin.com/company/buggyra-racing https://www.instagram.com/buggyra_racing/ https://www.tiktok.com/@buggyra
- September 23, 2026Sports
Low Compression Golf Balls For Slow Swing Speeds: New Beginner Guide Released
Affordable Golf Courses has published a new guide for beginner golfers and seniors alike, addressing golf ball selection for those with slow swing speeds. The document notably identifies compression ratings between 30 and 70 as ideal for drivers swung under 85 mph, arguing that recreational players often overlook ball choice while chasing performance through equipment upgrades. For more information, visit: https://affordablegolfcourses.com/golf-ball-compression-guide-for-slow-swing-speeds/ Golf ball compression is explained in straightforward terms: in the words of Affordable Golf Courses, it measures how much a ball deforms when struck by a club. Lower numbers essentially relate to softer construction that compresses more easily at impact, which affects how energy transfers from clubface to ball and, in turn, ball speed and distance. “Golf balls lose compression in colder temperatures,” the guide explains. “For every 10-degree drop, expect to lose about one yard of distance. Low compression balls are particularly advantageous in cold weather as they maintain better performance characteristics.” Such considerations are vital for golfers who generally swing under 85 mph, suggests the guide, since softer balls let them achieve fuller compression at impact than firmer alternatives allow. Research further points to more efficient energy transfer and higher ball speed as a result - and proponents agree that reduced spin from low compression balls can produce straighter shots, easing common problems such as slicing or hooking. In response, the guide highlights specific models at varying price tiers suited to this swing range, each widely recognized among golfers seeking softer, more forgiving options for slower swings. The Wilson Duo Soft, Callaway Supersoft, Srixon Soft Feel, and Titleist Tour Soft are all detailed at length, with compression ratings ranging from roughly 30-37 to 38, 60, and 65, respectively. Beyond added distance, the guide also notes that low compression balls tend to offer a softer feel and more forgiveness even on off-center hits, giving golfers who have not yet developed a consistent strike some much-needed margin for error. Affordable Golf Courses penned the document to give everyday golfers practical, honest advice on matching equipment to their own swing, preventing them from overspending on gear built for faster players. The company's broader mission, meanwhile, centers on helping recreational golfers make more informed choices about courses and equipment alike. Interested parties can find related equipment comparisons and buying advice at: https://affordablegolfcourses.com/performance-golf-sf2-driver-review-does-it-actually-fix-a-slice/
- September 23, 2026Sports
Little League Shoulder: Medical Clearance & Throwing Readiness Guide Announced
VeloRESET recently released an educational guide for parents of young baseball pitchers, addressing two points the organization identifies as commonly misunderstood after a Little League shoulder diagnosis: whether the condition is a growth-plate stress injury rather than a rotator cuff injury, and what happens when a cleared follow-up X-ray indicates the bone has stabilized, not that the arm has rebuilt the tolerance to pitch. The guide, titled "Little League Shoulder: Signs, Recovery & What Parents Miss," is available at https://www.veloreset.com/blog/little-league-shoulder-youth-pitcher-parents-guide Little League shoulder is a stress injury to the proximal humeral physis, the growth plate at the top of the upper arm bone, caused by repetitive throwing stress before that plate has closed. It occurs most often in pitchers roughly 11 to 16 years old, particularly during active growth periods, and appears on imaging as a widening of the growth plate compared with the non-throwing arm. The VeloRESET resource distinguishes it from a rotator cuff tear or labrum injury, noting that in growing athletes the growth plate is structurally weaker than surrounding tendons and tends to show stress first. The guide also addresses the three-month rest period physicians commonly prescribe, characterizing it as a minimum stabilization window rather than a return date. Timelines generally run 8 to 16 weeks before throwing resumes, varying with age, growth stage, and how long the injury developed before diagnosis. "A follow-up X-ray showing the growth plate has stabilized is medical clearance," said Joey Myers, founder of VeloRESET. "Whether the arm has rebuilt the tolerance to handle a throwing ramp is a separate question, and it gets answered during the ramp, not on a calendar." For the return-to-throwing period, the guide outlines three tracking questions: whether soreness resolves within 24 to 48 hours after a session, whether the arm feels the same before each session as before the previous one, and whether the week-over-week trend is improving, holding flat, or regressing. VeloRESET also publishes a companion guide covering Little League elbow, which affects a different growth plate and carries a different recovery timeline. For more information, visit https://www.veloreset.com/return-to-throwing-ramp About VeloRESET VeloRESET publishes educational resources on arm readiness, workload management, and recovery for parents of youth baseball pitchers. Its materials are educational and are not a substitute for medical advice; diagnosis and clearance decisions rest with each family's healthcare provider. The 2-Minute Arm State Check, an eight-question tool producing a green, yellow, or red read, is available at https://www.veloreset.com/arm-readiness-snapshot
- September 23, 2026Sports
Buggyra ZM Racing build momentum in China with three back-to-back off-road rallies
In addition, the team has built strategic relationships that extend beyond the race track, for example with Chinese automotive technology manufacturer WINBO DONGJIAN or the team’s title sponsor ZERO MILEAGE (ZM), and works out of technology centers in Dubai (UAE), the Czech Republic, Bahrain, Italy, and China. This autumn, the team will face a particularly challenging string of events in China, running three back-to-back off-road rally events as part of the China Auto Off-Road Rally Championship (CCR), China's top national and largest-scale long-distance rally series, sanctioned by the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China. Three events across Inner Mongolia and Northwestern China Starting the one-month streak is the Kubuqi Rally from September 29 to October 2, around Hangjinqi in Inner Mongolia. Just a few days later, Buggyra will be at the start of the Dunhuang Rally located in Gansu Province, in Northwestern China, from October 7 to October 13. Stretching over 1,000 kilometers, the rally covers some of the world's most challenging terrains, from dry riverbeds and rugged canyons to the vast expanses and towering sand dunes of the Gobi Desert. The Yecheng Rally, located in the Kashgar Prefecture in southern Xinjiang near the Kunlun Mountains and running from October 17 to October 23, will close the team's Chinese campaign for the year. Aliyyah Koloc, Buggyra ZM Racing’s 22-year-old driver, will be at the wheel of all three of these rallies in a JJ3 T1+ car. As was the case at this year’s Taklimakan Rally, the car will be prepared and run by well-established Chinese racing squad JJ Sport, the racing arm of Hebei-based Jiujiang Group, which built China's first FIA-homologated rally car in 2018, competed at the Dakar Rally in 2020, and now fields the JJ3 T1+ mainly in Chinese events. About the Kubuqi Rally The Trans-Kubuqi Desert Elite Challenge is part of theCCR, China's highest-level long-distance off-road rally series. It will run from September 29 to October 2 around the town of Ordos in Inner Mongolia. On September 29, there will be an opening ceremony, followed by a special qualifying stage setting the order of departure for the special stage the next day, which will mainly run across riverbeds. On October 1 and 2, the rally will primarily cross desert terrain, making it challenging from a driver's point of view. “I’m really looking forward to working with JJ Sport again. Their help and support have been truly wonderful and incredibly important,” says Aliyyah Koloc. “I will be driving the same car as for the Taklimakan, as the new one is still being tested for reliability. All three events are new for us, so I don’t really know what to expect, but I am really looking forward to the new challenge.” Testing in China At the end of July, Aliyyah Koloc, together with Buggyra and JJ Sport, conducted a one-day test with JJ Sport’s T1+ cars as part of her preparation for upcoming rallies in China. “I drove the car I had in Taklimakan and then immediately jumped into a newly developed JJ Sport’s car, which had some updates to the front axle,” Aliyyah Koloc explains. “I felt the difference pretty quickly. The new car felt much more comfortable over the bumps and the steering was more precise. Overall, it was a very positive test, and it was great to get more experience with the car and the setup.” This opportunity will now come during three off-road rallies in close succession. https://www.facebook.com/BUGGYRA https://twitter.com/buggyra_racing https://www.linkedin.com/company/buggyra-racing https://www.instagram.com/buggyra_racing/ https://www.tiktok.com/@buggyra
- September 22, 2026Sports
Puntr Launches Free Global Sports Tipping App
Puntr, the free sports tipping app, has launched globally with support for every major format a group of friends, coworkers, or dedicated sports fans might want to run. Last Man Standing and Survivor competitions, season-long Overall tipping, a Daily Tip, head-to-head Duels, Rivalries against the Experts, and a daily five-question sports quiz all sit inside a single app, spread across 19 competitions with more to come. The app is already used by groups in over 20 countries in its first season. It has been built to replace the two things that hold every tipping competition together and, in most cases, wear one person out: the spreadsheet and the group text. Puntr takes both jobs off the organiser and hands them to the app. The Problem Puntr Was Built To Solve Founder Dave Levett started Puntr after watching a friend run an entire Last Man Standing competition by text message for a full season. Tips arrived in a mix of messages, a spreadsheet was updated by hand, and every Sunday night ended with the same task: chasing the two people who had not yet picked. It worked, but only because one person carried the load week after week. "Every office and every friend group has one person who runs the comp, and they spend their whole week chasing people for tips," Levett said. "Puntr gives that person their week back. You share a code, everyone tips on their phone, results land automatically and the chat does the rest." That founding idea shapes the whole product. Puntr treats the organiser as the person who should be having the most fun rather than the one buried in admin, and it treats the competition itself as a social occasion first. A Comp That Fills Itself For the organiser, the promise is a competition that fills itself. Setup takes under two minutes. Share one link or a join code, and people can be tipping on their phone within the hour. A whole office roster can be pasted in at once, or a competition can be listed publicly so anyone looking for a comp in that sport is able to find it. From there, Puntr does the chasing. It sends deadline reminders and push notifications, and it delivers a weekly digest that tells the organiser exactly who still owes a tip, who has gone out, and what the talking point of the round was. Results sync automatically from live fixture feeds, so nobody marks the sheet by hand. Tools designed specifically for organisers are available at the Puntr for organisers page. "I used to run this exact comp on a spreadsheet and spend half my week chasing people for tips. Now I share a code and stir the pot in the chat. Puntr does the rest," said Andy L, one of several members whose comments are published on the Puntr website. Every Format In One App For the player, the promise is a choice. Nineteen competitions are live now, spanning the NFL, College Football, the NHL, the NBA, MLB, the Premier League, the Championship, the Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the NRL, the AFL and the NBL, with more competitions planned. Every format that matters is included. Survivor, also known as Last Man Standing, gives each member one team a week; lose and you are out, and the last one standing wins. Overall tipping asks players to pick every game and climb a season-long ladder. The Daily Tip focuses on the hardest call of the day. Duels are head-to-head contests over five games. Rivalries pit a member against the Experts, and a quick daily quiz keeps groups engaged between rounds. There is always an official Puntr comp open in every sport, so no one needs to wait for an invitation before starting. A single account can play in as many competitions as a member likes. The behaviour of new members reflects how quickly people settle in: almost everyone who joins a comp does so on the day they sign up, and one in five members already plays in more than one comp. "We ran one across the office for the World Cup and it went off. Two minutes to set up, and people who never watch football were sweating on penalty shootouts," said Marija L, whose comment also appears on the Puntr website. Tools People Usually Pay For Puntr also provides the kind of numbers that are usually locked behind a paywall elsewhere. Puntr Edge shows a win chance for every fixture. Puntr Plannr maps a whole Survivor season in a single grid, letting a player see which teams they still have available. A public leaderboard ranks every tipster on a Puntr Rating built from real results rather than opinion, and it can be viewed on the Puntr leaderboard . The core competition is free forever. An optional Playr+ subscription unlocks the deeper tools, including Puntr Edge win chances, Puntr Plannr, full statistics, a trophy cabinet, and an ad-free experience. Every tip is tracked for each user regardless of subscription, so performance and improvement stay visible for everyone. Levett has been direct about why the core product stays free. In his view, a tipping competition is a social thing first and a product second. The moment the organiser is charged, half the group tends to drop out, and the competition loses the very thing that makes it worthwhile. Clear About What Puntr Is Not Puntr never holds prize money and is not a betting product. Members tip for bragging rights and for whatever their own group agrees between themselves. That is a deliberate design choice, and it keeps the app suitable for the App Store, for families, and for workplaces. The same code and table travel across devices, whether a member uses a browser, a home-screen shortcut, or the iOS and Android apps. Rounds use cutoff-based picks that stay hidden until the deadline locks, with automatic results and updates once fixtures conclude. Members can join official competitions, create private ones with codes, or run their own with custom schedules, rounds, and visibility settings. Looking ahead, the roadmap centres on adding more competitions and continuing to develop the Puntr Rating so that skill at tipping finally counts for something measurable and public. Further details are available at the Puntr website . Puntr is available through the web at puntr.app , on the App Store , and on Google Play . The company also publishes updates through X and Instagram or contact [email protected] . About Puntr Puntr is a free sports tipping app for friend groups, offices and clubs. It runs Survivor and Last Man Standing competitions, season-long tipping, daily picks, head-to-head duels and rivalries against the experts across 19 competitions and counting, with results synced automatically from live feeds. Puntr never holds prize money and is not a betting product. It is built by a small independent team and is available on iOS, Android and the web.
- September 22, 2026Sports
Igor Makarov to Sponsor Mayflower Gran Prix Cyprus 2026
Igor Makarov, entrepreneur, former professional cyclist, and longtime supporter of the sport, will sponsor the Mayflower Gran Prix Cyprus 2026, taking place in Limassol on October 31 and November 1, 2026. Photo courtesy of INEX Club Organized by INEX Club, the two-day event will bring together cyclists from Cyprus and abroad, from amateur riders and newcomers to experienced competitors. Now in its third edition, the Gran Prix combines competitive racing with a broader programme designed to bring the cycling community together and showcase Cyprus as a destination for cycling and active lifestyles. For Igor Makarov , the sponsorship marks another chapter in a relationship with cycling that spans nearly five decades, from competing internationally as an athlete to supporting professional cycling, contributing to the sport's international governance, and, more recently, becoming involved in initiatives that encourage cycling participation in Cyprus. Two Days of Racing in Limassol The first day of competition, October 31, will feature a 70-kilometre road race from Limassol through Agios Theodoros and Zygi to Monte Caputo. The route combines varied terrain with the coastal landscapes of southern Cyprus. On November 1, the competition will move to the New Port area of Limassol for a 30-kilometre circuit race, followed by the awards ceremony and event celebration. The Gran Prix will feature 12 age categories—six for men and six for women—allowing riders of different ages and experience levels to compete. A Finish Line Village will complement the sporting programme, welcoming participants, families, and supporters and extending the event beyond the races themselves. A Five-Decade Connection with Cycling Igor Makarov's journey in cycling began as an athlete. From 1979 to 1986, he represented the USSR national cycling team at international competitions. A multiple national and international champion, he was awarded the title of International Master of Sports. After concluding his competitive career, Makarov remained deeply involved in the sport. He founded and sponsored the Swiss-registered professional cycling team KATUSHA, which competed on the UCI WorldTour from 2009 to 2019 and became one of the leading teams in international professional cycling. Makarov also served on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Management Committee from 2011 to 2025, contributing to the governance and international development of cycling. His contribution to international cycling was recognized in 2016, when he received the UCI Merit Award in Doha, Qatar. In recent years, his attention has increasingly turned to the development of cycling in Cyprus, where he resides. In 2025, the Cyprus Cycling Federation presented him with the Aristides Konstantinidis Award, named after Cyprus' first Olympic champion. The award recognized his longstanding contribution to the growth of cycling in the country. These two distinctions reflect different stages of Makarov's involvement in the sport, from his contribution to international cycling to his more recent efforts to encourage its development in Cyprus. Supporting the Cycling Community in Cyprus Igor Makarov's involvement in Cyprus extends beyond major competitive events. He has supported a range of cycling initiatives aimed at encouraging wider participation, supporting young riders, and bringing cyclists of different backgrounds and experience levels together. Among these initiatives were charity cycling events that brought together cyclists from Cyprus and abroad and raised funds to provide bicycles, helmets, protective equipment and training gear for aspiring young riders. He has also supported previous Gran Prix events in Limassol, contributing to the development of an international cycling event that combines competition with community participation. The sponsorship of the Mayflower Gran Prix Cyprus 2026 builds on these efforts while contributing to the broader development of Cyprus as a cycling destination. The island's climate, varied terrain, coastal routes, and growing cycling community provide a strong foundation for both recreational and competitive cycling. “Cycling has been part of my life for nearly five decades, and I am pleased to continue supporting its development here in Cyprus,” Igor Makarov shares. “I have seen the sport from many perspectives—as an athlete, a team founder and sponsor, and through international cycling governance. Today, it is especially rewarding to help create opportunities for people in Cyprus to discover cycling, compete and become part of its community. Events such as the Mayflower Gran Prix can help inspire the next generation while also showing international riders what Cyprus has to offer.” For more information and registration details for the Mayflower Gran Prix Cyprus 2026, please visit the official event website: https://inex.club/granprix2026 About Igor Makarov Igor Makarov is a Cyprus-based entrepreneur, philanthropist and former professional cyclist. He is the founder of ARETI International Group, an international group registered in Cyprus. The group has diversified business interests across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, with a focus on strategic investments, innovation, sports development, and charitable engagement. A former member of the USSR national cycling team, Makarov has maintained a close connection with cycling throughout his professional life and continues to support initiatives that promote cycling and active lifestyles, particularly in Cyprus. Beyond sport, Makarov and his companies have supported humanitarian, educational, cultural, and community initiatives internationally for more than three decades.
- September 18, 2026Sports
Sports Consulting Market: Global Growth, Trends & 2035 Forecast
The Sports Consulting Market was valued at USD 6,271.33 Million in 2025, increased to USD 6,900.4 Million in 2026, is expected to reach USD 7,592.5 Million in 2027, and is projected to reach USD 16,310.7 Million by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 10.03% from 2026 to 2035. The market is being driven by sports commercialization, digital transformation, data analytics, sponsorship development, fan engagement, financial optimization, and increasing demand for specialized strategic consulting services. What is driving the global Sports Consulting Market? Professional sports organizations, federations, leagues, teams, event organizers, and sports brands are increasingly seeking specialized consulting expertise to improve commercial performance and strengthen long-term strategies. Around 61% of sports organizations invest in consulting services to enhance revenue generation, while nearly 39% of market demand is associated with digital transformation initiatives. Growing investments in sports infrastructure, sponsorships, media rights, athlete development, and technology are further supporting demand for consulting services. Read the detailed Sports Consulting Market report for market size, growth analysis, segmentation, regional insights, competitive landscape, investment opportunities, key trends, and forecast information through 2035. How is digitalization transforming the Sports Consulting Market? Digitalization is changing how sports organizations manage operations, engage fans, analyze performance, and develop new revenue opportunities. More than 50% of major clubs and leagues have introduced digital fan engagement initiatives supported by third-party consultants. Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, wearable technologies, digital ticketing, social media, mobile applications, virtual experiences, and personalized content are creating new opportunities for consulting firms specializing in technology and digital strategy. Why are sponsorship and fan engagement becoming major market trends? Sponsorship optimization and fan engagement are becoming central priorities as sports organizations look to strengthen commercial relationships and diversify revenue streams. Approximately 48% of consulting demand is connected with digital fan engagement initiatives, while around 24% of the market is associated with sponsorship development strategies. Consulting providers are increasingly helping sports organizations evaluate sponsorship opportunities, improve partner activation, personalize fan experiences, and strengthen digital communities. What Are the Major Sports Consulting Market Segments? By Type Sponsorship Development Strategy Sports Marketing & Digital Strategy Planning Event Management & Public Relations Strategy Financial Management & Diversification Strategies Organizational & Management Consulting Fundraising & Ticketing Others Sponsorship Development Strategy represents approximately 24% of market demand, supported by increasing requirements for sponsorship valuation, partnership development, brand activation, and return-on-investment analysis. Sports Marketing & Digital Strategy Planning accounts for around 21%, reflecting the importance of digital communication and fan acquisition. Event Management & Public Relations Strategy contributes approximately 17%, while Financial Management & Diversification Strategies represent nearly 13% as organizations seek stronger financial planning and commercial diversification. By Application Sports Federations Leagues & Teams Sports Apparel & Equipment Companies Event Organizers Others Leagues & Teams represent approximately 38% of market demand, driven by requirements for commercial strategy, sponsorship development, media rights, fan engagement, organizational planning, and performance optimization. Sports Federations account for nearly 30%, while Event Organizers represent around 15%. Sports Apparel & Equipment Companies contribute approximately 12%, highlighting the expanding role of consulting across the broader sports business ecosystem. Who Are the Key Companies in the Sports Consulting Market? LEK Consulting Boston Consulting Group Deloitte McKinsey & Company Octagon Bain & Company Portas Consulting Limited Ernst & Young IMG KPMG International PwC Download Free Sample PDF @ https://www.globalgrowthinsights.com/market-reports/sports-consulting-market-102117 Where Are the Biggest Opportunities Emerging in the Sports Consulting Market? North America accounts for approximately 39% of the global market, supported by established professional leagues, advanced sports infrastructure, sponsorship activity, media rights, and digital fan engagement. Europe represents around 28%, while Asia-Pacific contributes approximately 23% as investments expand across cricket, esports, badminton, Olympic sports, and emerging professional leagues. The Middle East & Africa represents nearly 10%, supported by sports infrastructure development, major sporting events, tourism initiatives, and diversification strategies. Looking ahead, the convergence of artificial intelligence, sports analytics, digital fan engagement, sponsorship optimization, smart venues, sustainability, media rights, and sports commercialization is expected to create new opportunities across the Sports Consulting Market. Companies combining strategic advisory capabilities with technology, analytics, financial expertise, and digital transformation services can address the evolving requirements of sports federations, leagues, teams, event organizers, apparel companies, and other participants through 2035. About Global Growth Insights: Global Growth Insights is a market research and consulting company providing data-driven insights to support business planning, product development, market entry, investment decisions, and long-term growth. Serving 1,000+ organizations across 11+ industries, the company combines secondary research, primary validation, industry expertise, and competitive analysis to deliver practical and reliable market intelligence
- September 17, 2026Sports
PlayerFits Launches Real-Time Golf Apparel Tracker Linking Tour Players' Outfits to Retail
PlayerFits has launched a platform that identifies the apparel professional golfers wear on the course during tournament broadcasts and links each item to a retailer where fans can buy it. The site tracks tournaments across the major professional tours in real time, cataloging shirts, pants, shoes, hats, gloves and belts, in many cases within 15 minutes of a player appearing on screen. Golf fans regularly notice distinctive apparel, footwear and headwear during broadcasts, but identifying a specific item has meant searching brand catalogs piece by piece. PlayerFits removes that step. Each tournament page lists what a player wore in each round, with a link to the exact piece where the team has found it and a close alternative where it has not, so a fan can go from seeing an outfit on television to a product page in a few clicks. The platform currently covers close to 200 tour players and the brands they wear, tracked round by round across the season, including the majors. Fans can browse by player or by tournament , and every identified item carries a direct retail link, whether it is a polo, a pair of shoes, a hat or an accessory. "I created this because I was always curious what outfits the pros are wearing and where I could buy it," said Tom Dehnel, founder of PlayerFits. "Once I realized other golfers want this information too, I created PlayerFits so everyone can have access from broadcast to purchase." PlayerFits is an independent gear tracker. It reports what players are seen wearing in competition and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any player, tournament or brand. About PlayerFits PlayerFits tracks and documents what professional golfers wear during tournaments, breaking down the exact apparel, footwear and accessories seen on tour. It links these on-course outfits directly to retail sources, allowing fans to identify and buy the specific gear worn by top players. The platform is based in San Francisco, California.
- September 16, 2026Sports
Badminton Webshop Expands European Assortment Of Yonex Victor And Babolat Gear
Badminton Webshop, an online retailer based in Sofia, Bulgaria, has expanded its equipment assortment to cover 27 European markets, giving club and tournament players wider access to rackets, shuttlecocks, strings, shoes, grips and bags from four major manufacturers. The retailer's country selector now supports shoppers in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland, among other markets, allowing customers to browse and order equipment tailored to their region. The current catalog lists 97 products spanning beginner-level gear through to equipment built for advanced and competitive play, drawn from Yonex, Victor, Babolat and Li-Ning. Among the brands represented, shoppers can find rackets, strings and accessories from Yonex , a full equipment range from Babolat , and footwear and rackets from Victor , alongside the Li-Ning lineup. The assortment is organized so that recreational players and competitive club members can find equipment suited to their level within a single storefront. Logistics form a core part of the retailer's service model. Orders placed before 2 PM qualify for same-day shipping, a commitment the company positions as central to serving players who need equipment ahead of matches or club sessions across the continent. "Badminton Webshop serves customers across 27 European markets with a specialist assortment from leading badminton brands including Yonex, Victor, Babolat and Li-Ning," said Alexander Miladinov of Badminton Webshop. "Our goal is simple: combine specialist badminton knowledge with the speed and convenience customers expect from a modern European webshop." Miladinov added that the company's focus remains on building out its catalog methodically. "With close to 100 products already available, Badminton Webshop is building a focused European destination for rackets, shuttlecocks, footwear and badminton accessories," he said. The expanded assortment reflects the company's continued investment in serving players from beginner and recreational levels through to advanced and competitive badminton, with equipment selected to match the needs of each segment. About Badminton Webshop Badminton Webshop is a specialist online retailer dedicated to badminton players across Europe. Headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria, the company offers a carefully selected range of rackets, shuttlecocks, shoes, strings, and accessories from leading brands including Yonex, Victor, Babolat, and Li-Ning, backed by expert customer service and fast, reliable delivery.
- September 14, 2026Sports
2026 Harbin Marathon Injects New Momentum into Urban Development
On September 13, as an autumn breeze swept along the Songhua River, the final runner crossed the finish line, bringing the 2026 Harbin Bank Harbin Marathon to a close. Braving light early-autumn rain, 30,000 runners from China and abroad raced along both banks of the Songhua River. For the first time since its inception, the Harbin Marathon was held in autumn. The move from midsummer to early autumn brought a change in season and temperature, but not in the quality at the heart of the "Five Charms of Harbin Marathon." It marked another solid step in Harbin's efforts to harness sporting events to write a new chapter of year-round vitality. Elevating the "Five Charms" This year's marathon carried forward the "Five Charms" brand—great sounds, sights, food, beauty and experiences—weaving them throughout the event. The sounds of the city accompanied runners every step. At 40 entertainment and cheering points, more than 70 performing arts groups and over 10,000 performers created an ever-changing audiovisual corridor. As runners crossed the Yangmingtan Bridge, the river breeze carried music toward them, while 20 sailboats performed on the Songhua River's main navigation channel. "I've run many marathons, but this is the only one where I couldn't bring myself to put on my headphones," said Wen, a runner from Changsha. "Harbin truly deserves its reputation as a 'City of Music.'" A feast for the eyes unfolded along the course. From the light rain at the starting line in the Music Park on Youyi West Road to the clearing skies over Sun Island at the finish, the route connected Harbin's most iconic cityscapes and natural vistas. A refreshed visual identity, designed by Tsinghua University's Academy of Arts & Design, incorporated imagery of lilac blossoms, the Songhua River and a musical staff. The mascot "Paopao," inspired by the roe deer, greeted runners at every refreshment station. As Bai Zhiguo, director of the Harbin Municipal Sports Bureau, put it, the course is a "moving reception room for the city." Harbin's flavors were another highlight. From guobaorou and Harbin red sausage to kvass and dalieba bread, the city offered a culinary temptation few could resist. "I came hoping to set a new personal best, but the food ended up slowing me down," joked Xiao Jiang, a runner from Henan. "I ended up gaining two jin." Many runners turned the marathon into an immersive culinary journey. The beauty of the marathon extended beyond the course. Runners pushed their limits while volunteers, security personnel, sanitation workers and local residents offered warm support. Xiao Liu, a local resident, stood three kilometers from the finish line cheering runners on. These ordinary yet heartwarming faces revealed the city at its most endearing. Exceptional service accompanied runners throughout. Organizers provided free metro rides with race bibs, AI-powered imaging, real-time timing-chip data and an integrated medical support network. "The professional recovery and stretching service at the finish was incredibly thoughtful," said Chen, a runner from Guangzhou. Fu Mingtao, deputy general manager of Harbin Madieer Culture & Tourism Investment Group, said every detail was designed so that every runner could "run a marathon and fall in love with a city." Turning Visitor Flows into Growth One marathon can energize an entire city. The 30,000 runners, together with family and friends, brought a substantial influx of visitors, injecting fresh momentum into Harbin's autumn culture and tourism market. Hotel occupancy rates climbed across main urban districts, particularly in the Qunli New Area. Many hotels were sold out a week before the race. Managers said moving the marathon to September provided an effective boost to hospitality revenues. The influx fueled local spending. Central Street, the Qunli commercial district and Sun Island saw visitor numbers rise significantly. Many runners extended their stays to three to five days, generating spending well beyond the event itself. The marathon's impact on Harbin's city brand reached audiences well beyond the running community. Tens of thousands shared autumn scenery, thoughtful services and distinctive experiences on social media, with #HarbinMarathon repeatedly trending. Once known as a signature race marking the close of summer, the Harbin Marathon has evolved into a marquee event of the golden autumn, helping Harbin move beyond an image defined primarily by ice and snow. Breaking New Ground through Integration This year's marathon advanced an integrated model combining sports with culture, tourism, exhibitions and business promotion. From September 10 to 12, the 2026 Harbin Sports, Culture and Tourism Industry Expo and Harbin Road Running Industry Expo were held at Harbin Ice and Snow World alongside pre-race packet pickup. More than 100 brands showcased products ranging from sports equipment to local specialties. "We sold out two batches of our local specialty foods in just three days," said a representative of a local food company. Business matchmaking sessions and industry forums created new channels for commercial cooperation. Having evolved from a standalone sporting event into a broader industry platform, the Harbin Marathon now serves as a catalyst for deeper integration across culture, sports, tourism and commerce. As Fu Mingtao noted, the value lies in the multiplier effect of "Sports Plus": a single event can convert attention and visitor flows into lasting momentum for the city's development. The Journey Continues The marathon ethos of challenging oneself finds a natural echo in Harbin's openness, inclusiveness and determination. From its tentative beginnings in 2016 to its place among China's leading city marathons, the evolution of the Harbin Marathon mirrors the broader growth of Harbin's sports sector and the rising profile of the city's brand. Over eight editions spanning a decade, it has evolved from a standalone race into a comprehensive platform for promoting the city. The successful staging of this year's race in autumn for the first time marks a major step beyond the marathon's traditional seasonal boundaries, adding a vital autumn piece to Harbin's vision of sustaining its appeal throughout the year. Harbin has already established itself as a powerhouse in winter sports, earning recognition as a "City of Olympic Champions" and a "Two-Time Host City of the Asian Winter Games." Now, with the Harbin Marathon as a key platform for road running, the city is shaping a more diversified sports landscape—major ice and snow events in winter, the marathon in autumn, and fitness activities year-round. Looking back from this new starting point, the Harbin Marathon has long since become much more than a race. It is a window onto the city's image, an engine of industrial growth, and a bond that brings its people together. The running never stops, and neither does the journey of development. The success of the Harbin Marathon over its eight editions gives every reason to believe that this benchmark road race in Northeast China will continue to unleash an even stronger "Sports Plus" multiplier effect, bringing sustained momentum to Harbin's efforts to build itself into a leading city for sports and a world-renowned destination for ice and snow culture, sports and tourism.
- September 11, 2026Sports
Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation Announces 2026 Fall Season, State Championship, and Student Internship Expansion
Last season was a breakout year for Louisiana scholastic esports. We supported more than 16 in-person tournaments, crowned our first-ever state champions, and watched scholastic esports in Louisiana grow faster than ever. Now we're preparing for an even bigger fall, with new regional leagues, a student internship program, and a fall season build toward our biggest event yet, Stomp in the Swamp. Competition kicks off Sept. 14 with the launch of the USAEL Open, the season-opening league that will carry students through the fall and toward our LASEF Fall Championship on Dec. 2 at the Raising Cane's River Center in Baton Rouge. Students competing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at the LASEF State Championship Students competing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at the LASEF State Championship LASEF | Louisiana Esports Champions Building on a Breakthrough Louisiana Esports Season Our momentum has been building for more than a year. Last season, we supported and covered upwards of 16 in-person tournaments statewide, giving students across Louisiana more opportunities to compete outside the classroom. The season's centerpiece was our first-ever LASEF Championship, where 32 players competed for state titles in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart. But the event was about more than the competition on screen. Our students also worked behind the scenes, helping run tournament operations, broadcasting, and production. Our programs and student athletes went on to earn local and national media coverage, putting a spotlight on what's happening in Louisiana esports. We also brought Stomp in the Swamp to New Orleans last December, with a championship stop at LACUE, complete with sessions about esports that gave conference participants a chance to see the real value of esports, not just the games themselves. It was another step in growing our footprint across the state. No Team? No Problem One of the things that makes us different: students don't have to belong to a school esports team to participate. We built LASEF to give every K-12 student in Louisiana a path into competitive play, whether through a school team or as an independent competitor. That includes students at schools without esports programs and homeschooled students. If you're registering independently, a parent or guardian will need to create the account and complete registration on the student's behalf. We don't believe a student's opportunity to compete should depend on whether their school happens to have a team. If a student wants to play, we want to help give them a place to do it. Online Competition | Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation Esports Internships and Career Pathways for Louisiana Students Beyond competition, we're expanding our focus on workforce development. Our new student internship program, alongside our existing Student Ambassador track, gives students hands-on experience across a wide range of disciplines connected to the esports industry, including: Broadcasting and shoutcasting Video production and photography Marketing and social media Information technology and cybersecurity Event operations and web development Digital media and artificial intelligence Esports management Esports Internship Program | LASEF Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation Our goal is simple: help students take the interests they already have and connect them to future education and career pathways. A student might join us because they love gaming and discover they love running a camera. Another might find a passion for broadcasting, marketing, or producing a live event. Esports may be the doorway. What students discover on the other side can go far beyond the game. Stomp in the Swamp: Louisiana’s Fall Esports Championship The fall season builds toward Stomp in the Swamp, our LASEF Fall Championship, set for Dec. 2 at the Raising Cane's River Center in Baton Rouge. Qualifying players and teams will advance from the USAEL Open's online competition to the in-person championship stage, with another group of students gaining hands-on event experience right alongside them. Competition, education, leadership, and workforce development, that's where we're headed. Stomp in the Swamp | Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation Looking Ahead to 2027 Our plans extend well past this season. We're looking toward fall 2027, when the EBRPSS Esports Arena is set to open, a new facility built for competition, hands-on training, broadcasting, technology, and career exploration. It'll also open the door to new training opportunities and partnerships that expand what students can experience through esports. We'll share more details, including new partners and programming, as we get closer to the opening. New Louisiana Regional Esports Leagues Join LASEF This season, we're growing the LASEF network with new regional leagues joining from across the state, along with the return of a familiar partner: St. Landry Parish School System Region 5 STEM Center in Lake Charles Washington Parish STEM Center Evangeline Parish Esports League East Baton Rouge Parish Esports League (returning) Regional Leagues | Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation Season at a Glance Sept. 14: USAEL Open season begins Dec. 2: LASEF Fall Championship, Stomp in the Swamp, Raising Cane's River Center, Baton Rouge (LACUE Conference) June (TBD): LASEF Championship Fall 2027: EBRPSS Esports Arena opening Students have already started signing up for this season, and more are joining as we get closer to kickoff. If you've been thinking about getting involved, don't miss your chance to be part of it. Whether you're part of an established esports program or a student looking for your first opportunity to compete, there's a place for you in LASEF. Sign up, get in the game, and be part of the growth. Louisiana esports is just getting started. Become a Student Ambassador We're recruiting Student Ambassadors for the season ahead, and this is one of the best ways for students to get involved beyond the competition floor. Ambassadors gain access to: Sponsored internships and learning opportunities, hands-on experience across broadcasting, production, marketing, IT, and event operations, supported by our partners. Field trips to industry and college partners, firsthand looks at what careers in esports and related fields actually look like, and a chance to connect with the colleges and companies building them. If you know a student who's looking for more than just game time, this is where that starts. Student Ambassador Program | Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation Support LASEF None of this happens without support. As LASEF continues to grow, new regional leagues, new internship opportunities, new events across the state, and a new arena on the horizon, we rely on donations and partnerships to keep expanding access for students. If you'd like to support Louisiana scholastic esports and help us give every K-12 student a place to play, learn, and grow, we'd love to talk with you about how to get involved. You can email directly to [email protected] .
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