Industry Insight: Turning the World Cup Moment into Sustained Momentum: Data, AI and the Future of Soccer Engagement in America - BOS 2026 · 11:11

Sportradar’s Antonio Mora joins Sports Business Journal’s Dan Kaufman to explore how data, AI, betting, and fan engagement are reshaping soccer’s future in America. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, this discussion dives into how leagues, broadcasters, and technology partners can convert a massive global event into long‑term domestic fan growth. Learn how AI-driven personalization, real-time analytics, and predictive data models are transforming betting experiences, broadcast storytelling, and fan education—all while maintaining integrity and trust across the sport. 0:00 – Introduction Why sustaining World Cup momentum matters 0:35 – Setting the Stage Overview of the 15‑minute rapid-fire panel 0:59 – The World Cup as the Largest US Betting Event Expected $50B betting handle 90% of bettors projected to be first‑timers Opportunity for long-term retention 1:51 – Sportradar’s Global Footprint 20+ years in global soccer data Partnerships: MLS, NWSL, US Soccer, Concacaf FIFA partnership extended through 2031 Integrity services protecting the sport 2:45 – Turning World Cup Interest Into Lasting Engagement Transitioning fandom to domestic leagues Aligning MLS/NWSL schedules with World Cup timing 3:08 – Host Cities & Domestic Soccer Ecosystem 13 North American host cities, all with MLS teams How World Cup momentum can flow into local markets 4:02 – Designing the Fan Journey Over 200 in‑game betting markets Avoiding overwhelm for new bettors while empowering experienced users 4:33 – The Power of Data Fast, accurate, real-time data for leagues, books, and broadcasters Why data quality affects both fan experience and betting markets 5:37 – Evolution of Sports Data From basic play‑by‑play to advanced tracking 200ms latency & 29-point motion-tracking data New opportunities for broadcast and betting innovation 6:29 – Foundation Models & Predictive Analytics How AI-driven models predict outcomes Human validation + machine prediction Applications in micro-markets & flash betting 7:19 – Data → AI → Better Fan Experiences AI-powered personalization for bettors Examples of broadcast integrations (NBC Peacock Performance View) Helping fans understand wagers, probabilities, and match context 9:13 – Building a New Generation of Soccer Fans Educating first-time bettors Converting global attention into fandom for US leagues 10:11 – Integrity & Trust Sportradar’s integrity program Why trust is essential for growth in both betting and broadcast spaces FIFA partnership through 2031 11:03 – Closing Thoughts Long-term vision for soccer engagement in America The role of data, AI, betting, and transparency in shaping the future

March 25, 2026