The Most Important Technological Achievements That Will Change the Game in Sporting Events

The future is now when it comes to sports – but it will only get better. We are tracking technological advances that build stronger athletes and better experiences for viewers watching live and at home.

You may not think CGI has any place in your football game, but when it comes to building a young fan base, the NFL is using this fun technology incredibly well. With the inclusion of Nickelodeon’s iconic “slime” and other wacky enhancements, your TV screen could attract a whole new generation of sports fans.

Going beyond the step counter, coaches and trainers can use wearables to track everything from a runner’s heart rate to the angle of a baseball bat. With all this detailed analysis, you can be sure that dedicated athletes will refine their techniques and set new records.

Advances like pylon cameras have changed the way close encounters are analyzed. At the same time, these tiny, highly connected devices have made it possible to capture and broadcast footage that viewers have never seen before.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a huge problem in contact sports like football and hockey, but these new helmets are custom-made by 3D printer to perfectly protect players’ heads. Forbesthese helmets feature “a series of complex lattice structures designed to be lightweight yet absorb impact better than traditional materials” and can be adjusted to “a player’s position on the court and the types of impacts he’s most exposed to.”

There’s something special about watching a fireworks display in the stadium after your favorite team has just won. Unfortunately, fireworks have a lot of unpleasant environmental drawbacks, including noise pollution and damage to local wildlife. The post-match entertainment of the future could be drone shows.

Cape May Aerial Advertising is leading this change and encouraging sports fans to imagine an even more incredible celebration.

“Imagine the energy of a stadium packed with fans, but instead of the typical fireworks display, hundreds of synchronized drones take to the sky, creating intricate patterns that light up the night. The crowd watches in awe as the drones create visual displays that align with their team’s brand or commemorate a special moment in the game.” Founder Jeromie Hunter spoke with Illustrated Sports about his vision for advances in entertainment that can help stadiums reduce their carbon emissions.

“Drone shows don’t bother animals or people with PTSD the way fireworks do,” Hunter says. “There are no loud explosions or toxic residues—just pure visual entertainment that’s as engaging as it is responsible.”

A drone show can create a unique, shareable moment that fans can post on social media, increasing exposure and fan interaction. Eventually, much like CGI on TV captivates younger fans, drone shows will evolve into full-blown productions that fit seamlessly into the sporting experience itself.

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