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Technology

Sportradar Reports First Quarter Results

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Betting Technology & Solutions revenues of €250 million were up 14% year-over-year primarily driven by a 13% increase in Betting & Gaming Content primarily from customer uptake of additional products and from U.S. market growth. Managed Betting Services revenues were up 16% driven by strong growth in Managed Trading Services from increased turnover and higher trading margins.

Sports Content, Technology & Services revenues of €61 million increased 33% year-over-year primarily driven by 36% growth in Marketing & Media Services led by higher ad:s revenue as several sportsbooks increased spending on marketing campaigns, and from contributions from the expansion of our affiliate marketing capabilities.

The Company generated strong revenue growth globally with Rest of World up 12% and the United States up 31%. As a percentage of total Company revenues, United States revenue represented 28% of total Company revenue in the first quarter as compared to 25% in the prior year quarter due to continued market growth and additional customer uptake of our products.

Customer Net Retention Rate of 122% further demonstrates our ability to cross-sell and up-sell to our clients, as well as the market growth in the United States.

Profit for the period

Profit for the period was €24 million, up €25 million, compared to a loss of €1 million in the same quarter a year ago, driven by strong operating results and a foreign currency gain of €28 million in the quarter as compared to a €14 million loss last year, due to unrealized currency fluctuations mainly associated with the U.S. dollar-denominated sport rights. These increases were partially offset primarily by higher share-based compensation and amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses expenses compared with the first quarter a year ago.

Adjusted EBITDA

First quarter Adjusted EBITDA was €59 million, up €12 million, or 25%, compared to €47 million in the same quarter a year ago. The increase was largely driven by the 17% revenue growth, partially offset by increased sport rights costs primarily related to the continued success of the ATP partnership deal, higher purchased services driven by investments in developing our product portfolio and increased personnel expenses to support growth initiatives.

Business Highlights

  • Announced agreement to acquire IMG ARENA and its global sports betting rights portfolio. Following receipt of regulatory approvals and the closing, which is currently anticipated to take place in the fourth quarter of 2025, IMG ARENA’s portfolio is expected to enhance Sportradar’s content and product offering and further strengthen its strategic position as a leading content provider in the most bet upon global sports, including tennis, soccer and basketball.

  • Announced the extension and expansion of our partnership with Major League Baseball (“MLB”) for 8 years, beginning with the 2025 season. Sportradar will exclusively distribute ultra-low latency official MLB data, media content, including MLB Statcast Data, and audiovisual content across our global client network. Additionally, Sportradar and MLB will collaborate on the creation of AI-driven products powered by player tracking data to create immersive, hyper-personalized fan experiences.

  • Expanded Alpha Odds, Sportradar’s AI-enabled premium odds calculation and risk management solution, into cricket, a sport that generates an estimated €80 billion in global betting turnover annually.

  • Signed multi-year partnership with the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV) to safeguard CBV competitions from corruption and match-fixing through Sportradar’s Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS), and to supply metrics and dynamic visualizations for coaching teams.

  • Extended long-standing partnership with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Sportradar will deliver integrity monitoring for more than 8,200 men’s and women’s matches organized annually by the CBF, now including all Brazilian national championships.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents were €358 million as of March 31, 2025 as compared with €348 million as of December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by net cash generated from operating activities of €102 million due to the strong operating performance, partially offset by net cash used in investing activities of €66 million, primarily from the acquisition of additional sport rights and from net cash used in financing activities of €19 million, due primarily to share repurchases related to employee stock grants. Free cash flow for the first quarter was €32 million, an increase of €32 million compared to the same period a year ago.

Including its undrawn credit facility, the Company had total liquidity of €578 million at March 31, 2025 as compared to €568 million as of December 31, 2024, and no debt outstanding.

2025 Annual Financial Outlook

Sportradar reiterated its fiscal 2025 outlook as follows:

  • Revenue of at least €1,273 million, representing year-on-year growth of at least 15%

  • Adjusted EBITDA of at least €281 million, representing year-on-year growth of at least 26%

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion of at least 200 basis points

  • Free cash flow conversion1 rate above the 2024 level of 53%

The 2025 guidance does not include any impact from the pending acquisition of IMG ARENA given the uncertainty around the timing of close. Guidance will be updated to incorporate the anticipated uplift resulting from this acquisition following the closing of the transaction.

Share Repurchase Plan

In March 2024, the Board of Directors approved a $200 million share repurchase plan. As of May 9, 2025 the Company has repurchased 4.8 million shares under the plan for a total of $86 million, including 3.0 million shares in conjunction with the recently completed secondary offering.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Sportradar will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter results today, May 12, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Those wishing to participate via webcast should access the earnings call through Sportradar’s Investor Relations website. An archived webcast with the accompanying slides will be available at the Company’s Investor Relations website for one year after the conclusion of the live event.

About Sportradar

Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ: SRAD), founded in 2001, is a leading global sports technology company creating immersive experiences for sports fans and bettors. Positioned at the intersection of the sports, media and betting industries, the Company provides sports federations, news media, consumer platforms and sports betting operators with a best-in-class range of solutions to help grow their business. As the trusted partner of organizations like the ATP, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, UEFA, FIFA, and Bundesliga, Sportradar covers close to a million events annually across all major sports. With deep industry relationships and expertise, Sportradar is not just redefining the sports fan experience, it also safeguards sports through its Integrity Services division and advocacy for an integrity-driven environment for all involved.

For more information about Sportradar, please visit www.sportradar.com

_______________________________________________________________________

1 Non-IFRS measure or Operating Metric. See the sections captioned “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Operating Metric” and “IFRS to Non-IFRS reconciliations” for more details.

CONTACT:

Investor Relations:
Jim Bombassei
j.bombassei@sportradar.com

Media:
Sandra Lee
sandra.lee@sportradar.com

Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Operating Metric

We have provided in this press release financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with IFRS, including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted purchased services, Adjusted personnel expenses, Adjusted other operating expenses, Free cash flow, and Free cash flow conversion, as well as our operating metric, Customer Net Retention Rate. We use these non-IFRS financial measures internally in analyzing our financial results and believe they are useful to investors, as a supplement to IFRS measures, in evaluating our ongoing operational performance. We believe that the use of these non-IFRS financial measures provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing our financial results with other companies in our industry, many of which present similar non-IFRS financial measures to investors.

Non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of these non-IFRS financial measures to their most directly comparable IFRS financial measures provided in the financial statement tables included below in this press release.

  • “Adjusted EBITDA” represents earnings for the period adjusted for finance income and finance costs, income tax expense or benefit, depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses), foreign currency gains or losses, and other items that are non-recurring or not related to the Company’s revenue-generating operations, including share-based compensation, restructuring costs, non-routine litigation costs, and certain transaction-related costs.

    License fees relating to sport rights are a key component of how we generate revenue and one of our main operating expenses. Only licenses that meet the recognition criteria of IAS 38 are capitalized. The primary distinction for whether a license is capitalized or not capitalized is the contracted length of the applicable license. Therefore, the type of license we enter into can have a significant impact on our results of operations depending on whether we are able to capitalize the relevant license. As such, our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA reflects the full costs of our sport right’s licenses. Management believes that, by including amortization of sport rights in its calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, the result is a financial metric that is both more meaningful and comparable for management and our investors while also being more indicative of our ongoing operating performance.

    We present Adjusted EBITDA because management believes that some items excluded are non-recurring in nature and this information is relevant in evaluating the results relative to other entities that operate in the same industry. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors for evaluating Sportradar’s operating performance against competitors, which commonly disclose similar performance measures. However, Sportradar’s calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled performance measures of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a substitute for any IFRS financial measure.

    Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA include significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation, or as an alternative to, or a substitute for, profit for the period, revenue or other financial statement data presented in our consolidated financial statements as indicators of financial performance. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our IFRS results and using Adjusted EBITDA only as a supplemental measure.

  • “Adjusted EBITDA margin” is the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to revenue.

    The Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to profit (loss) for the period or Adjusted EBITDA margin to Profit for the period as a percentage of revenue (in each case the most directly comparable IFRS financial measure) on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort because items that impact these IFRS financial measures are not within the Company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. These items may include, but are not limited to, foreign exchange gains and losses. Such information may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on the Company’s future financial results.

We present Adjusted purchased services, Adjusted personnel expenses, and Adjusted other operating expenses (together, “Non-IFRS expenses”) because management utilizes these financial measures to manage its business on a day-to-day basis and believes that they are the most relevant measures of expenses. Management believes these adjusted expense measures provide expanded insight to assess revenue and cost performance, in addition to the standard IFRS-based financial measures. Management believes these adjusted expense measures are useful to investors for evaluating Sportradar’s operating performance against competitors. However, Sportradar’s calculation of adjusted expense measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled performance measures of other companies. These adjusted expense measures are not intended to be a substitute for any IFRS financial measure.

  • Adjusted purchased services” represents purchased services less capitalized external development costs.

  • Adjusted personnel expenses” represents personnel expenses less share-based compensation awarded to employees, restructuring costs, and capitalized personnel compensation.

  • Adjusted other operating expenses” represents other operating expenses plus impairment loss on trade receivables, less non-routine litigation, share-based compensation awarded to third parties, and certain transaction-related costs.

We consider Free cash flow and Free cash flow conversion to be liquidity measures that provide useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchase of property and equipment, the purchase of intangible assets and payment of lease liabilities, which can then be used, among other things, to invest in our business and make strategic acquisitions, as well as our ability to convert our earnings to cash. A limitation of the utility of Free cash flow and Free cash flow conversion as measures of liquidity is that they do not represent the total increase or decrease in our cash balance for the year.

  • Free cash flow” represents net cash from operating activities adjusted for payments for lease liabilities, acquisition of property and equipment, and acquisition of intangible assets.

  • Free cash flow conversion” represents Free cash flow as a percentage of Adjusted EBITDA.

    The Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of Free cash flow to net cash from operating activities or Free cash flow conversion to net cash from operating activities as a percentage of profit for the period (in each case the most directly comparable IFRS financial measure) on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort because items that impact these IFRS financial measures are not within the Company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. These items may include, but are not limited to, changes in working capital, the timing of customer payments, the timing and amount of tax payments, and other items that are non-recurring or unusual. Such information may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on the Company’s future financial results.

In addition, we define the following operating metric as follows:

  • “Customer Net Retention Rate” is calculated for a given period by starting with the reported Trailing Twelve Month revenue from our top 200 customers as of twelve months prior to such period end, or prior period revenue. We then calculate the reported trailing twelve-month revenue from the same customer cohort as of the current period end, or current period revenue. Current period revenue includes any upsells and is net of contraction and attrition over the trailing twelve months but excludes revenue from new customers in the current period. We then divide the total current period revenue by the total prior period revenue to arrive at our Net Retention Rate.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking” statements and information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial or operating performance, planned activities and objectives, anticipated growth resulting therefrom, market opportunities, strategies and other expectations, and our guidance and outlook, including expected performance for the full year 2025. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “projects”, “continue,” “contemplate,” “confident,” “possible” or similar words. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation, the following: economy downturns and political and market conditions beyond our control, including the impact of the Russia/Ukraine and other military conflicts such as acts or war or terrorism and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; pandemics could have an adverse effect on our business; dependence on our strategic relationships with our sports league partners; effect of social responsibility concerns and public opinion on responsible gaming requirements on our reputation; potential adverse changes in public and consumer tastes and preferences and industry trends; potential changes in competitive landscape, including new market entrants or disintermediation; potential inability to anticipate and adopt new technology and products, including efficiencies achieved through the use of artificial intelligence; potential errors, failures or bugs in our products; inability to protect our systems and data from continually evolving cybersecurity risks, security breaches or other technological risks; potential interruptions and failures in our systems or infrastructure; difficulties in our ability to evaluate, complete and integrate acquisitions (including the proposed IMG ARENA acquisition) successfully; our ability to comply with governmental laws, rules, regulations, and other legal obligations, related to data privacy, protection and security; ability to comply with the variety of unsettled and developing U.S. and foreign laws on sports betting; dependence on jurisdictions with uncertain regulatory frameworks for our revenue; changes in the legal and regulatory status of real money gambling and betting legislation on us and our customers; our inability to maintain or obtain regulatory compliance in the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business; our ability to obtain, maintain, protect, enforce and defend our intellectual property rights; our ability to obtain and maintain sufficient data rights from major sports leagues, including exclusive rights; any material weaknesses identified in our internal control over financial reporting; inability to secure additional financing in a timely manner, or at all, to meet our long-term future capital needs; and other risk factors set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC, accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on our website at https://investors.sportradar.com. These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. One should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


SPORTRADAR GROUP AG

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended
March 31,

in €’000 and in thousands of shares

 

2025

 

 

20241

 

Revenue

 

311,231

 

 

265,894

 

Personnel expenses

 

(102,356

)

 

(79,567

)

Sport rights expenses (including amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses)

 

(104,030

)

 

(90,943

)

Purchased services

 

(48,989

)

 

(39,146

)

Other operating expenses

 

(28,114

)

 

(21,435

)

Impairment loss on trade receivables, contract assets and other financial assets

 

(1,737

)

 

(1,830

)

Internally-developed software cost capitalized

 

11,656

 

 

10,526

 

Depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses)

 

(16,318

)

 

(11,985

)

Foreign currency gain (loss), net

 

27,524

 

 

(14,466

)

Finance income

 

2,333

 

 

2,012

 

Finance costs

 

(21,853

)

 

(18,749

)

Net income before tax

 

29,347

 

 

311

 

Income tax expense

 

(5,009

)

 

(960

)

Profit (loss) for the period

 

24,338

 

 

(649

)

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or (loss)

 

 

 

 

Remeasurement of defined benefit liability

 

(2

)

 

1

 

Related deferred tax expense

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

1

 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or (loss)

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to the owners of the company

 

(4,937

)

 

4,009

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to non-controlling interests

 

(226

)

 

(12

)

 

 

(5,163

)

 

3,997

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income for the period, net of tax

 

(5,137

)

 

3,998

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

19,201

 

 

3,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit (loss) attributable to:

 

 

 

 

Owners of the Company

 

24,208

 

 

(574

)

Non-controlling interests

 

130

 

 

(75

)

 

 

24,338

 

 

(649

)

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:

 

 

 

 

Owners of the Company

 

19,297

 

 

3,436

 

Non-controlling interests

 

(96

)

 

(87

)

 

 

19,201

 

 

3,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit per Class A share attributable to owners of the Company

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

0.08

 

 

(0.00

)

Diluted

 

0.07

 

 

(0.00

)

Profit per Class B share attributable to owners of the Company

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

0.01

 

 

(0.00

)

Diluted

 

0.01

 

 

(0.00

)

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of Class A shares (basic)

 

210,610

 

 

209,871

 

Weighted-average number of Class A shares (diluted)

 

230,413

 

 

223,606

 

Weighted-average number of Class B shares (basic and diluted)

 

903,671

 

 

903,671

 

1 – Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. Refer to ‘Change in presentation related to sport rights expenses’ section below for further information.


SPORTRADAR GROUP AG

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(Unaudited)

in €’000

 

March 31,
2025

 

December 31,
2024

Assets

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

357,825

 

 

348,357

 

Trade receivables

 

91,721

 

 

77,106

 

Contract assets

 

97,023

 

 

93,562

 

Other assets and prepayments

 

33,003

 

 

46,601

 

Income tax receivables

 

8,944

 

 

7,624

 

Total current assets

 

588,516

 

 

573,250

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

69,734

 

 

66,240

 

Intangible assets and goodwill

 

1,840,982

 

 

1,607,057

 

Other financial assets and other non-current assets

 

11,212

 

 

11,718

 

Deferred tax assets

 

32,236

 

 

36,376

 

Total non-current assets

 

1,954,164

 

 

1,721,391

 

Total assets

 

2,542,680

 

 

2,294,641

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Loans and borrowings

 

10,479

 

 

10,022

 

Trade payables

 

300,793

 

 

259,742

 

Other liabilities

 

81,396

 

 

68,271

 

Contract liabilities

 

39,681

 

 

30,200

 

Income tax liabilities

 

3,997

 

 

5,599

 

Total current liabilities

 

436,346

 

 

373,834

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Loans and borrowings

 

40,919

 

 

36,697

 

Trade payables

 

1,026,002

 

 

895,679

 

Contract liabilities

 

39,799

 

 

37,711

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

1,917

 

 

1,830

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

18,426

 

 

19,043

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

1,127,063

 

 

990,960

 

Total liabilities

 

1,563,409

 

 

1,364,794

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares

 

27,582

 

 

27,551

 

Treasury shares

 

(16,079

)

 

(18,813

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

706,835

 

 

668,254

 

Retained earnings

 

235,027

 

 

221,942

 

Other reserves

 

21,309

 

 

26,220

 

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

 

974,674

 

 

925,154

 

Non-controlling interest

 

4,597

 

 

4,693

 

Total equity

 

979,271

 

 

929,847

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

2,542,680

 

 

2,294,641

 

SPORTRADAR GROUP AG
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended
March 31,

in €’000

 

2025

 

 

20241

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

Profit (loss) for the period

 

24,338

 

 

(649

)

Adjustments to reconcile profit for the period to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

5,009

 

 

960

 

Interest income

 

(2,333

)

 

(2,037

)

Interest expense

 

21,853

 

 

18,893

 

Foreign currency (gain) loss, net

 

(27,524

)

 

14,466

 

Depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses)

 

16,318

 

 

11,985

 

Amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses

 

71,699

 

 

64,871

 

Equity-settled share-based payments

 

12,847

 

 

1,995

 

Other

 

(149

)

 

(2,412

)

Cash flow from operating activities before working capital changes, interest and income taxes

 

122,058

 

 

108,072

 

Increase in trade receivables, contract assets, other assets and prepayments

 

(17,882

)

 

(43,192

)

Decrease in trade and other payables, contract and other liabilities

 

21,570

 

 

18,791

 

Changes in working capital

 

3,688

 

 

(24,401

)

Interest paid

 

(21,646

)

 

(18,678

)

Interest received

 

2,333

 

 

2,037

 

Income taxes (received) paid, net

 

(4,187

)

 

149

 

Net cash from operating activities

 

102,246

 

 

67,179

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of intangible assets

 

(67,325

)

 

(63,444

)

Acquisition of property and equipment

 

(972

)

 

(1,768

)

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

 

2,654

 

 

(717

)

Proceeds from sale of intangible assets

 

21

 

 

22

 

Change in loans receivable and deposits

 

(188

)

 

21

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(65,810

)

 

(65,886

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

Payment of lease liabilities

 

(1,999

)

 

(1,999

)

Purchase of treasury shares

 

(16,611

)

 

(5,551

)

Principal payments on bank debt

 

 

 

(60

)

Change in bank overdrafts

 

 

 

18

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(18,610

)

 

(7,592

)

Net increase in cash

 

17,826

 

 

(6,299

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

348,357

 

 

277,174

 

Effects of movements in exchange rates

 

(8,358

)

 

3,753

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

357,825

 

 

274,628

 

1 – Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. Refer to ‘Change in presentation related to sport rights expenses’ section below for further information.


Change in presentation related to sport rights expenses

During the third quarter of 2024, the Company changed the presentation of expenses related to sport rights in its Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Previously, these expenses were split between ‘Purchased services and licenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)’, representing the portion of related sport rights expenses which were not eligible for capitalization and ‘Depreciation and amortization’, representing the portion of related sport rights expenses which were capitalized. However, the expenses are now combined and presented under a new line item titled ‘Sport rights expenses (including amortization of capitalized licenses)’. This has also resulted in a change in presentation in the cash flow statement, removing the lines ‘Amortization and impairment of intangible assets’, and ‘Depreciation of property equipment’ and replacing them with ‘Amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses’, ‘Depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses)’, and ‘Impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets’. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. See below for detail of these amounts.

The change in presentation intends to provide more relevant and reliable information to the users of our financial statements. This reclassification aligns the presentation of sport rights expenses with the nature of the costs and the way they are managed internally.

The following table shows the reclassification of sport rights expenses in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (unaudited) as described above:

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended
March 31, 2024

in €’000

 

Previously
reported

 

Reclassifications

 

Currently
reported

Purchased services and licenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)1

 

(65,218

)

 

26,072

 

 

(39,146

)

Depreciation and amortization2

 

(76,856

)

 

64,871

 

 

(11,985

)

Sport rights expenses (including amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses)

 

 

 

(90,943

)

 

(90,943

)

1 – This line is now “Purchased Services” in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (unaudited) 
2 – This line is now “Depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses)” in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income


The following table shows the reclassifications of the related amounts in the consolidated statement of cash flows (unaudited) as described above:

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended
March 31, 2024

in €’000

 

Previously
reported

 

Reclassifications

 

Currently
reported

Amortization and impairment of intangible assets

 

72,818

 

(72,818

)

 

Depreciation of property and equipment

 

4,038

 

(4,038

)

 

Amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses

 

 

64,871

 

 

64,871

Depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses)

 

 

11,985

 

 

11,985

Net cash from operating activities

 

67,179

 

 

 

67,179


Additional disclosures related to sport rights expenses

The following table shows the composition of sport rights expenses (unaudited):

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended
March 31,

in €’000

 

2025

 

2024

Non-capitalized sport right expenses

 

32,331

 

26,072

Amortization of capitalized sport rights

 

71,699

 

64,871

Total sport rights expenses

 

104,030

 

90,943


IFRS to Non-IFRS Reconciliations

The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable IFRS financial performance measure, which is Profit (loss) for the period (unaudited), and Adjusted EBITDA margin to the most directly comparable IFRS financial performance measures, which is Profit (loss) for the period (unaudited) as a percentage of revenue:

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended
March 31,

in €’000

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Revenue

 

311,231

 

 

265,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit (loss) for the period

 

24,338

 

 

(649

)

Finance income

 

(2,333

)

 

(2,012

)

Finance costs

 

21,853

 

 

18,749

 

Depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of capitalized sport rights licenses)

 

16,318

 

 

11,985

 

Foreign currency (gain) loss, net

 

(27,524

)

 

14,466

 

Share-based compensation

 

14,541

 

 

2,071

 

Restructuring costs

 

1,342

 

 

1,620

 

Non-routine litigation costs

 

2,279

 

 

 

Transaction-related costs

 

3,132

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

5,009

 

 

960

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

58,955

 

 

47,190

 

 

Profit (loss) for the period as a percentage of revenue

 

7.8

%

 

(0.2

)%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

18.9

%

 

17.7

%


The following table reconciles Free cash flow to the most directly comparable IFRS measure, which is Net cash from operating activities (unaudited), and Free cash flow conversion to the most directly comparable IFRS measure, which is Net cash from operating activities conversion, which is measured as Net cash from operating activities (unaudited) as a percentage of Profit for the period:

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended
March 31,

in €’000

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Net cash from operating activities

 

102,246

 

 

67,179

 

Acquisition of intangible assets

 

(67,325

)

 

(63,444

)

Acquisition of property plant and equipment

 

(972

)

 

(1,768

)

Payment of lease liabilities

 

(1,999

)

 

(1,999

)

Free cash flow

 

31,950

 

 

(32

)

 

Net cash from operating activities conversion

 

420

%

 

*

 

Free cash flow conversion

 

54

%

 

— 

%

*Not meaningful


The following tables show reconciliations of IFRS expenses included in profit for the period to expenses included in Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited):

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended
March 31,

in €’000

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Purchased services

 

48,989

 

 

39,146

 

Less: capitalized external services

 

(5,283

)

 

(3,948

)

Adjusted purchased services

 

43,706

 

 

35,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personnel expenses

 

102,356

 

 

79,567

 

Less: share-based compensation

 

(15,239

)

 

(2,519

)

Less: restructuring costs

 

(1,342

)

 

(1,620

)

Less: capitalized personnel compensation

 

(5,455

)

 

(5,896

)

Adjusted personnel expenses

 

80,320

 

 

69,532

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

 

28,114

 

 

21,435

 

Less: non-routine litigation

 

(2,279

)

 

 

Less: share-based compensation

 

(220

)

 

(234

)

Less: transaction-related costs

 

(3,132

)

 

 

Add: impairment loss on trade receivables

 

1,737

 

 

1,830

 

Adjusted other operating expenses

 

24,220

 

 

23,031

 



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Samsung to showcase world’s first 1,040Hz gaming monitor at CES 2026

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Samsung Electronics has unveiled its new most advanced Odyssey gaming monitor lineup. The lineup includes five new models that push the boundaries of resolution, refresh rates, and immersive visual performance. 

Led by Samsung’s first 6K 3D Odyssey G9, the 2026 lineup debuts world-first display technologies for gamers and creators, including the next-generation Odyssey G6 and three new Odyssey G8 models.

First 6K glasses-free 3D monitor

“With this year’s Odyssey lineup, we’re introducing display experiences that simply weren’t possible even a year ago,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics.

“From the industry’s first 6K glasses-free 3D monitor to breakthrough 1,040Hz speed, we designed these monitors to meet the ambitions of today’s gamers and deliver a level of immersion that fundamentally changes how content looks and functions on screen.”

The 32-inch Odyssey 3D (G90XH model) debuts the world’s first 6K display with glasses-free 3D, introducing a new way to experience games on a monitor. Powered by real-time eye tracking, it adjusts depth and perspective in response to the viewer’s position, creating a layered sense of dimension for smooth, uninterrupted gameplay without the need for a headset, according to a press release.

PC gamers can enjoy high-quality expanded lineup

With 6K resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate boosted to 330Hz through Dual Mode, and 1ms response time, fast action stays sharp and smooth, according to Samsung.

The company claims that PC gamers can enjoy a high-quality expanded lineup of supported titles with optimized 3D effects developed in collaboration with game studios. Featured games such as The First Berserker: Khazan, Lies of P: Overture, and Stellar Blade will offer added dimensionality, enhancing terrain, distance, and object separation beyond standard 2D gameplay.

The South Korean company has also highlighted that the 27-inch Odyssey G6 (G60H model) gaming monitor advances competitive gaming with the world’s first 1,040Hz gaming monitor through Dual Mode and native QHD support up to 600Hz, delivering esports-level motion clarity to help players track targets and see fine details during high-speed movement.

When needed, the Odyssey G6 can boost performance in an instant, providing ultra-sharp resolution so viewers can experience breathtaking worlds and ultra-high speeds that fuel competitive adrenaline. With support from both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible, the Odyssey G6 ensures that every frame is smooth, every color pops, and every moment feels responsive.

The Odyssey G8 series is expanding in 2026 with three distinct models, each offering a different balance of resolution and speed. Leading the lineup, the 32-inch Odyssey G8 (G80HS model), the industry’s first 6K gaming monitor, delivers native 165Hz performance with Dual Mode that supports up to 330Hz in 3K mode.

The 27-inch Odyssey G8 (G80HF model) offers a sharper 5K option with native support up to 180Hz, and Dual Mode boosts to 360Hz in QHD for smoother motion.

For users who want deeper contrast, the 32-inch Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH model) pairs a 4K QD-OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, Glare Free viewing, 300-nit brightness, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification. Its DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR20) supports up to 80 Gbps of bandwidth for seamless HDR and VRR playback, according to Samsung.

The complete Odyssey 2026 lineup will be on display at CES 2026 in Las Vegas from January 6-9.



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Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 Rewrites the Playbook for Sports with Phygital Innovation

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Published on
December 25, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

Create a composite overlay collage showcasing intense moments from the phygital football, esports, and phygital drone racing events. Include the official logo of the games of the future abu dhabi 2025 in bold, vibrant colors, with overlay text saying “the future of sports is phygital! ”

The Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 have closed an unforgettable chapter in the evolution of phygital sports. Hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the event marked an unparalleled fusion of physical and digital competition. Over six action-packed days, Abu Dhabi hosted more than 850 participants from 60+ countries, with fierce battles across 11 disciplines including Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, esports, Phygital Fighting, drone racing, and VR gaming.

Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 was not just a sporting event; it was a vision of the future. It set a global standard for what sports can look like in the digital age, where technology and human skill come together to create immersive and multi-dimensional experiences. The competition showed the world that the future of sports isn’t confined to a physical arena, but seamlessly integrates both the physical and digital.

The Champions of Tomorrow: Phygital Sports Takes Centre Stage

The Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 featured 11 disciplines that blended traditional sports with futuristic technologies, including Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, esports, Phygital Fighting, and Phygital Shooter. These unique formats tested competitors in both the physical and digital realms. For example, Phygital Football powered by ADNOC saw the México Quetzales – Armadillos FC clinch the Phygital Football title, defeating Troncos FC 2-4 in a thrilling final that captivated crowds throughout the week. Likewise, in Phygital Basketball, the LIGA PRO TEAM triumphed in a 29-23 victory over Moscowsky.

Other high-stakes competitions included Phygital Fighting.FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, where Kuznya dominated, winning all four of their matches. Meanwhile, xGoat emerged victorious in the Phygital Shooter.CS 2 final, overcoming Dontsu Esports 2-0 in an intense digital shootout.

In the drone racing category, Drone Racing One wowed spectators by completing 50 laps of a challenging circuit, showcasing the high-tech thrill of phygital racing.

A Digital Revolution: The Rise of VR Gaming and Esports

Beyond traditional sports, Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 brought esports and VR gaming into the spotlight. The esports events featured top teams and intense matches across a variety of games, including MOBA Mobile.MLBB and MOBA PC.Dota 2. In a thrilling final, ONIC defeated Aurora Gaming in the Mobile.MLBB championship, while teamWin overcame Vikings 2-0 in Dota 2.

The Battle Royale tournament, featuring Fortnite, saw Kami + Swizzy crush their opponents ZYRO + RAPID in the final. In VR gaming, the HADO competition proved to be one of the most exciting events, where Team Rock claimed the victory.

The digital revolution didn’t stop there—Phygital Dancing.Just Dance was an engaging crowd favorite, with Ivan “myakekcya” Vlasov taking home the crown. These events proved that esports and VR gaming are no longer just niche interests but are now integral parts of mainstream competition.

The Future is Phygital: Tech and Sport in Perfect Harmony

Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 perfectly illustrated how technology and sports are converging to form an entirely new ecosystem. With events such as Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, and drone racing, the Games were a showcase of the groundbreaking possibilities that arise when sports embrace digital innovations. Technology was not merely an accessory at this event—it was the cornerstone upon which the competitions were built.

With immersive experiences that brought together digital avatars, VR environments, and physical action, the event revealed a new way of experiencing and consuming sports. It also showcased how athletes and fans alike can now engage with sports in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago.

Abu Dhabi Leads the Way: A Global Hub for Next-Generation Sports

As the host city, Abu Dhabi solidified its position as a global leader in the future of sports. This landmark event wasn’t just about showcasing phygital sports, but also about demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to innovation and technology. The event was a triumph of vision, execution, and global collaboration, bringing together athletes, clubs, and partners from around the world.

In his remarks, Saif Al Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, remarked on the complexity of delivering an event on such a grand scale: “Delivering an event of this scale and complexity required close coordination across multiple disciplines, venues, and partners. The Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 showcased competitive excellence, but also operational innovation and audience engagement at the highest level.”

Similarly, Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, praised the event’s impact: “What we saw over six days was not just competition, but the emergence of a global ecosystem where sport, esports, technology, and innovation coexist on one stage. Abu Dhabi set a new benchmark for scale, delivery, and ambition.”

A Glimpse into the Future: The Global Impact of Phygital Sports

The success of Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 is not just about the event itself. It signals a transformative shift in how we view and experience sports in the 21st century. By embracing phygital sports, the UAE is not just shaping the future of competition, but also setting the stage for the next generation of athletes, fans, and sports industries.

The Phygital Sports Summit, which took place during the event, provided a platform for discussing the future of sports, technology, and innovation. The summit brought together industry leaders, athletes, and tech visionaries to discuss the convergence of physical and digital realms. The dialogue held here will help define the future trajectory of phygital sports and shape the policies that govern it.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Phygital Sports is Now

The Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 wasn’t just a flash in the pan; it was a statement. The event demonstrated how sports and technology can work in harmony, paving the way for the next generation of competition. As Abu Dhabi continues to innovate and lead the way in phygital sports, the rest of the world is watching closely, eager to follow in the footsteps of this global hub for next-generation sports and entertainment.

As Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, pointed out, “The success of this edition shows what is possible when vision, technology, and execution align.” The Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 will undoubtedly serve as a springboard for even bigger, more ambitious events in the years to come, setting a new standard for what’s possible in the world of sports.



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The Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 Closes Landmark Edition, Setting New Benchmark for Phygital Sports

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GOTF 1

Concludes GOTF.2

Concludes GOTF .3

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, December 25, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 powered by ADNOC concluded on Tuesday after six days of elite competition, innovation, and global participation, marking a milestone moment in the evolution of phygital sports.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the landmark event brought together more than 850 participants from over 60 countries and featured 11 disciplines, spanning Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, esports, Phygital Fighting, Phygital Shooter, Phygital drone racing, and VR Game.HADO. Across arenas, stages, and digital battlegrounds, the event showcased how technology and sport are converging to shape the future of competition.

During the globally-watched event, champions were crowned in each discipline, delivering their own defining moments and reinforcing the unique multi-sport identity of the Games of the Future.

Phygital Football powered by ADNOC and Phygital Basketball.3on3 FreeStyle brought to you by M42 both drew vocal crowds throughout the week, with MÉXICO QUETZALES – ARMADILLOS FC taking the Phygital Football title in a thrilling 2-4 final win over Troncos FC, and LIGA PRO TEAM secured the Phygital Basketball title with a 29-23 victory over Moscowsky. Meanwhile, in Phygital Fighting.FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, Kuznya finished top of the leaderboard after winning all four of their fights, dominating both on the digital stage and in the octagon, and xGoat won the Phygital Shooter.CS 2 final, beating Dontsu Esports 2-0 in the digital world to avoid the need for a deciding round of physical laser tag.

Tasting glory in the esports-focused disciplines, ONIC won the MOBA Mobile.MLBB final against Aurora Gaming, while the aptly-named teamWin beat Vikings 2-0 in the championship game of MOBA PC.Dota 2, and Kami + Swizzy conquered ZYRO + RAPID in the final of the Battle Royale.Featuring Fortnite. In the Phygital Drone Racing presented by InsuranceMarket.ae, which tasked clubs to complete 50 laps of a testing circuit filled with loops, hoops, and straights, Drone Racing One proved fastest on the final day ahead of Team BDS.

A pair of events taking place in the Atrium at ADNEC Centre drew plenty of attention as Ivan “myakekcya” Vlasov triumphed in the Phygital Dancing.Just Dance final, while Team Rock took the title in VR-game.HADO. Lastly, in Battle of Robots, proving itself one of the most spectacular disciplines of the week, Fierce Roc’s menacing Deep Sea Shark machine annihilated Team Cobalt’s Cobalt in a spectacularly destructive finale.

In parallel with the competitive program, the event week also featured an eye-catching and engaging Opening Ceremony and the inaugural Phygital Sports Summit, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for next-generation sport, innovation, and immersive entertainment.

Saif Al Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, reflected on intricacy of the Games: “Delivering an event of this scale and complexity required close coordination across multiple disciplines, venues, and partners. The Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 showcased competitive excellence, but also operational innovation and audience engagement at the highest level. We are proud to have played a role in bringing this landmark event to life and in supporting its growth on the global stage.”

Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, said: “The Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 demonstrated how far this movement has come in a short space of time. What we saw over six days was not just competition, but the emergence of a global ecosystem where sport, esports, technology, and innovation coexist on one stage. Abu Dhabi set a new benchmark for scale, delivery, and ambition, and this edition has reinforced the Games of the Future as a defining platform for next-generation competition worldwide.”

Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, added: “Hosting the Games of the Future in Abu Dhabi reflects the UAE’s commitment to shaping the future of sport and innovation. This event brought together athletes, clubs, partners, and audiences from around the world. The success of this edition shows what is possible when vision, technology, and execution align, and it positions Abu Dhabi firmly at the forefront of emerging sport formats.”

The Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 is organized by ASPIRE, the Local Delivery Authority, in collaboration with Ethara, the Event Delivery Partner, and Phygital International, the Global Rights Holder. The event is supported by key partners, including Abu Dhabi Sports Council, ADNOC, EDGE, M42, Solutions+, The Galleria, Abu Dhabi Gaming, du Infra, InsuranceMarket.ae, Ministry of Sports, Advanced Technology Research Council, and ADNEC Group.

Deepra Ahluwalia
Action Global Communications
+971 56 477 0995
email us here

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3D Glasses-Free Gaming Monitors : Samsung Odyssey 3D G90XH

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The Samsung Odyssey 3D G90XH gaming monitor has been debuted by the brand as an immersive new monitor model that’s engineered to maximize gamer experiences with advanced technology. The monitor measures in at 32-inches, boasts a 6K resolution and incorporates glasses-free 3D content capabilities to help players enjoy their favorite titles like never before. The unit utilizes real-time eye-tracking technology to adjust the depth and perspective according to where the user’s head is positioned for a greater sense of realism and smoothness.

The Samsung Odyssey 3D G90XH gaming monitor features a 165Hz refresh rate that can be boosted to 330Hz in Dual Mode. The monitor is slated to arrive in 2026 and is expected to be a hit amongst avid gamers.



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Stunning Stacked LED Displays : LG Display OLED technology

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The latest LG Display OLED technology has been announced just ahead of CES 2026 to offer a glimpse into what the brand has in store for the year ahead. The brand will launch the Tandem WOLED screen technology for its televisions, while the smaller device panels will utilize Tandem OLED technology to achieve advanced performance no matter the conditions.

The Tandem WOLED technology will offer fast response time, high refresh rates, low motion blur, dual modes, enriched color depths and more. The Tandem OLED technology will allow screens to blend more seamlessly into everyday spaces thanks to its natural performance.

The latest LG Display OLED technology comes as part of the company’s rebranding of its screen technology to help usher in a new age for the brand.



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Abu Dhabi to Showcase Its Esports and Motorsports Excellence: Gran Turismo World Series 2026 Kicks Off in the UAE

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Published on
December 22, 2025

Abu dhabi

In a historic first for the Middle East, Abu Dhabi, the vibrant capital of the United Arab Emirates, will host the opening event of the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 on March 28, 2026. This prestigious event will take place at the Space42 Arena, showcasing Abu Dhabi’s growing influence in esports and motorsports. As the world’s most exciting digital racing series kicks off its new season in the heart of the UAE, the city’s status as a global hub for innovation, entertainment, and technology is further solidified.

This announcement was made during the Gran Turismo World Series 2025 Finals held in Fukuoka, Japan, by S.E. Saeed Al Fazari, the Executive Director of Strategic Affairs at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Kazunori Yamauchi, the producer of the Gran Turismo series. Their collaboration highlights Abu Dhabi’s readiness to host an event that will attract millions of esports fans and motorsport enthusiasts from around the world.

Abu Dhabi: The Perfect Location for the Gran Turismo World Series 2026

Abu Dhabi, already known for its world-class motorsport events such as the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, is now expanding its footprint in the esports industry by welcoming the Gran Turismo World Series. This high-profile event, which brings together the best virtual drivers from around the globe, will elevate the UAE’s presence in the digital gaming and motorsport communities.

The Gran Turismo World Series: A Global Racing Championship

The Gran Turismo World Series is an annual competition that aims to crown the best Gran Turismo player in the world. The competition begins with online qualifiers, where players from across the globe compete to earn their spots in the live events. The series then moves to major international venues, where the top drivers from each region meet to race for the title. The 2026 series opener in Abu Dhabi will mark a monumental step in the history of the event, as it’s the first time the series has taken place in the Middle East.

Yas Marina Circuit in Gran Turismo 7: A Digital Tribute to Abu Dhabi’s Motorsports Legacy

Adding to the excitement, the Yas Marina Circuit, one of the most iconic motorsport venues in the world, will be featured in Gran Turismo 7. This addition allows players to virtually race on the very track that has hosted the Formula 1 Grand Prix since 2009. With this integration, Gran Turismo 7 connects real-world motorsports with virtual racing, offering players the chance to experience the thrill of Yas Marina from the comfort of their homes.

Key Highlights of the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 in Abu Dhabi

  • Event Date: March 28, 2026
  • Venue: Space42 Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Region’s First: This marks the first time the Gran Turismo World Series will take place in the Middle East.
  • Key Features: The event will showcase the best virtual drivers, live competitions, and interactive experiences for fans.
  • Inclusion of Yas Marina Circuit: The iconic Yas Marina Circuit will be featured in Gran Turismo 7, bringing a unique virtual motorsports experience to players globally.

Abu Dhabi’s Growing Role in Esports and Digital Innovation

Abu Dhabi has rapidly become a global leader in the esports sector, thanks to its investments in cutting-edge technology, entertainment infrastructure, and strategic partnerships. The opening of the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 marks a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s growing presence in the world of competitive gaming and motorsports. The event also supports the UAE’s Vision 2021, which aims to position the country as a leader in innovation, technology, and global partnerships.

The Role of Abu Dhabi Gaming

The event is organized by Abu Dhabi Gaming, an initiative led by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Gaming is dedicated to transforming the emirate into a world-class esports and gaming hub, attracting global talent, investors, and partnerships that will help develop and expand the gaming ecosystem. With Gran Turismo World Series 2026, Abu Dhabi continues to build on its reputation as a city that hosts world-class events and provides a platform for esports growth.

Abu Dhabi’s Vision for Esports and Motorsports

S.E. Saeed Al Fazari expressed the importance of this event for both Abu Dhabi and the Middle East. He stated, “Hosting the opening of the Gran Turismo World Series is a moment of pride for Abu Dhabi and the entire MENA region, reflecting our ambition to be a destination with limitless possibilities. This marks a significant step for our esports and motorsport sectors, bringing the world’s elite competitors to the emirate and showcasing Abu Dhabi’s proven capacity to deliver world-class experiences in these fields.”

The Gran Turismo World Series 2026 will also contribute to Abu Dhabi’s broader vision of becoming a global center for innovation, entertainment, gaming, and motorsports. The emirate continues to offer a safe, future-ready environment for businesses, investors, and talent, providing opportunities for growth in emerging industries such as esports.

Kazunori Yamauchi on the Middle East’s Growing Impact on Esports

Kazunori Yamauchi, the producer of the Gran Turismo series, also expressed excitement about this landmark event. He said, “We are excited that Abu Dhabi will host the opening of the Gran Turismo World Series in March 2026, marking the first time the event will be held in the Middle East. This is a historic milestone for our championship and a testament to the region’s growing presence in esports and motorsports worldwide. We are also thrilled that the Yas Marina Circuit is now available in Gran Turismo 7, offering players an authentic experience of one of the world’s most remarkable motorsport venues.”

The Road Ahead: Esports and Abu Dhabi’s Future in the Digital Age

The Gran Turismo World Series will continue to evolve, and Abu Dhabi’s role in the esports and digital gaming industry will only continue to grow. Events like this serve as catalysts for the city’s vision to become a global leader in the sectors of esports, technology, and digital innovation. For Abu Dhabi, hosting the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 is just the beginning of its journey to build an esports ecosystem that connects global talents with world-class facilities.

How to Attend the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 in Abu Dhabi

Tickets for the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 opening event in Abu Dhabi will be available through Ticketmaster at website. Fans from around the world can look forward to witnessing this exciting event live, making it a must-attend for all esports and motorsports enthusiasts.



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