Sports Officiating Technologies Market size is estimated at USD 3.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to cross USD 42.3 billion by the end of 2037, registering more than 21.4% CAGR during the forecast period i.e., between 2025-2037. In 2025, the industry size of sports officiating technologies is assessed at USD 4.1 billion.
The market’s substantial growth is attributed to rising demands for fair-decision making and reducing the margin of human error. Sports officiating technologies such as Decision Review System (DRS), Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Hawk-Eye systems, etc., are being used globally and the success rate of these technologies bodes well for the future of the market.
It is necessary for competitive sports to evolve and maintain credibility by ensuring limitation of human errors. Various sports compete with each other in gaining people’s attention, retaining the attention, and pushing the sports to newer demographics. Sports that are able to maintain their credibility are able to grow exponentially validating the stakes of large broadcasting deals and commercial sponsorships. Additionally, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and real time data processing are improving the efficiency of sports officiating technologies.
In July 2020, a paper published in the Journal of Sports Sciences measured a 92.1% to 98.3% increase in accuracy while using VAR. The high rate of accuracy ensures that the system is adopted in premier tournaments such as the World Cup or ongoing seasons of soccer (football) such as the Premier League in England. The market witnesses considerable boost by this as use in global tournaments ensures there are more eyes on the product. It is projected that there will be greater integration with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in the future, ensuring a considerable increase in the market’s revenue share.
Growth Drivers
Challenges
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Base Year |
2024 |
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Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
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CAGR |
21.4% |
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Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 3.4 billion |
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Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 42.3 billion |
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Regional Scope |
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Application (Decision Review System, Timing and Scoring, Boundary Detection, Player/Ball Tracking, Foul Detection, Equipment Compliance)
Decision review system segment is expected to account for sports officiating technologies market share of more than 31.3% by the end of 2037. The decision review systems have integrated into major sports and despite backlash from certain sections, the transition has been complete. Major tournaments in sports such as soccer, cricket, and tennis have decision review systems which have led to crucial on field decisions being overturned changing outcomes in high-stakes game. A key growth driver of this segment is the improvements in camera technology, sensors, image processing, and data analysis which have increased the reliability of DRS systems.
Improved reliability soothes the fears of global bodies, stakeholders, and fans alike on the use of DRS in sports. For instance, in September 2024, DRS was implemented in the domestic cricket competition Duleep Trophy in India marking a paradigm shift in the use of officiating assisting systems in domestic competitions. Market players are continuously looking to improve components of the DRS such as review center equipment, data storage and transmission systems, image processing software, high-speed cameras, etc., and greater use in various formats of different sports will continue to boost the segment’s revenue share.
The timing and scoring segment are poised to increase its revenue share during the forecast period due to rising demands for greater precision during sporting events. The segment is particularly popular in sporting events such as motorsports, swimming, and athletics. For instance, in February 2024, the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) announced the use of Fully Automated Timing (FAT) for the 30th National Cross-Country Championships. Key market players in the segment are striving to improve the efficacy of photo-finish cameras and RFID chops for real-time accurate scoring in high-speed competitions like Formula 1, NASCAR, and MotoGP. Innovations in cameras, transponders, and digital display boards improves the precision in results and opens the market for new software and display solutions to enter the market.
Sports Type (Ball Sports, Bat and Ball Sports, Racket Sports, Racing Sports, Track and Field Sports, Combat Sports, Other Sports)
The ball sports segment in sports officiating technologies market is the fastest growing segment in the global market owing to large scale integration of sports officiating technologies in soccer, basketball, baseball, etc. Soccer remains the most popular sports globally with the largest market penetration compared to other sports. The integration of officiating solutions in soccer has enabled the segment to achieve the most engagement owing to large-scale viewership. For instance, in the recently concluded EURO 2024, there were a total of 24 VAR overturns where 5 directly led to goals. The Union of European Football Association (UEFA) heavily invested in Euro 2024. In May 2024, UEFA announced the use of high-tech match balls with connected ball technology to help reduce decision times by VAR officials. With the soaring popularity of ball sports and proactive integration of sports officiating solutions, the segment is estimated to increase its revenue share by the end of the forecast period.
Our in-depth analysis of the sports officiating technologies market includes the following segments:
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Application |
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Sports Type |
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Technology |
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North America Market Analysis
North America accounted for the largest sports officiating technologies market share of 43.8% in 2024 and is estimated to increase its revenue share by the end of the forecast period owing to the presence of multiple commercially successful sports leagues that have integrated sports officiating solutions. Advanced officiating solutions such as real-time data analysis and instant replay are growing in usage and popularity in the North America sports eco-system. Rising fan engagement and improving precision in officiating technologies opens opportunities for companies to invest and deliver accurate video analysis, and AI-based solutions.
U.S. leads the sports officiating technologies market in North America with a dominant market share that is poised for rapid growth during the forecast period. The U.S. market is driven by the rising scale of sports officiating solutions integration in major sports league like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and MLS. For instance, in September 2024, the NBA Board of Governors approved an expanded use of coach’s challenge for out-of-bounds violations for the 2024-2025 NBA season that will allow on-court officials and replay center to review video to determine whether a foul should have been flagged.
Additionally, the commercial revenue from sports is growing with the U.S. Census Bureau reporting a revenue increase in 2022 after a dip due to Covid-19. The sports officiating technologies market benefits of U.S. benefits from the growing revenue share of sports teams and opens the market for integration of new officiating solutions in more sports with discussions of integration in MMA and Boxing.
Canada accounts for a large share in the North America market and is projected to improve its revenue during the forecast period. The market growth in the region is attributed to seamless integration of officiating solutions in popular sports such as ice hockey, soccer, and basketball. Additionally, Canada’s sports officiating technologies market benefits from the growth surge in smart stadiums, as fan demands for more immersive experiences increase. With an increase in infrastructural investment, the scope of the market grows larger and is poised to see a steady growth by the end of 2037.
APAC Market Analysis
The Asia Pacific sports officiating technologies market for sports officiating technologies is projected to witness the fastest revenue growth during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to the surge in popularity and viewership of various sports such as soccer, cricket, baseball, and esports. Investments in advanced officiating assistance technologies are witnessing expansion in the regional market. With numerous emerging economies and large population in the region, the potential of expanding to untapped sports in the region is high. Countries such as Japan, China, India, and South Korea lead the market share of the region.
In India, the sports officiating technologies market is witnessing a robust growth. In recent years, India has seen a large-scale expansion of cricket, the most popular sport in the region, with franchising activities such as the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the rise of short format cricket games such as the T-20 and the advent of successful domestic tournaments, the demand for sports officiating solutions is growing rapidly.
The BCCI has started to integrate the use of DRS in local cricket tournaments, which significantly boosts the sports officiating technologies market. Another driver is the expansion in other sports with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announcing in March 2024, that VAR will debut in top-tier Indian football very soon.
In China, the market is poised to witness a steady growth due to government investment in promoting sports development. Research Nester reports the government in China seeks to grow the sports industry to USD 699.5 billion by 2025 indicating a massive growth potential for investments in sports officiating technologies market. Additionally, global sports bodies are tapping in the potential in China’s sports ecosystem. For instance, in September 2023, VAR was introduced into the Hong Kong Premier League with funding assistance from FIFA Forward.
Japan has a leading share in the APAC sports officiating technologies market due to presence of a robust sports ecosystem where sports officiating technologies are in demand for different sports. For instance, in 2021, VAR was re-introduced in the premier football league, J-League, of Japan. Additionally, Hawk-Eye technology is used in the Japan Open for tennis and instant replay has been successful in Japan’s pro baseball league. With the region gearing to host major global sports events where sports officiating technologies will be integrated, the market is poised for rapid growth.
Sports officiating technologies market is poised for rapid growth during the forecast period. The market is competitive with the presence of global and regional players vying to increase their revenue share. Key market players are investing to improve the efficacy of components in sports officiating technologies that will eliminate further scope of errors in official decisions.
Some of the key market players are:
Author Credits: Abhishek Verma
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