Latest News

The Business Research Company’s Analysis Of The Impact Of COVID-19 On The Sports Global Market 2020 And Market Forecast To 2030

Published

5 years ago

December 11, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ever since the pandemic started, countries worldwide are suffering from economic setbacks and supply chain disruptions. The strict quarantine measures taken by governments had halted worldwide operations. A significant impact of the virus was seen on the global sports market, as stringent social distancing measures were implemented to prevent the spread of the virus.

The global sports market reached a value of nearly $388.3 billion in 2020, having increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4% since 2015. The market has declined from $458.8 billion in 2019 to $388.3 billion in 2020 at a rate of -15.4%. The decline is mainly due to lockdown and social distancing norms imposed by various countries and economic slowdown across countries owing to the COVID-19 outbreak and the measures to contain it.

The COVID-19 pandemic is negatively impacting all major sources of income for sports, including broadcasting, commercial, and ticketing, and hospitality revenues. Besides broadcasting and commercial activity that is losing out revenues, many clubs, players, and staff are losing out on their incomes. For example, in a professional league, the organizing body disburses the total income generated by the league to the participating clubs. This ensures a minimum flow of revenue to the clubs. However, with the suspension of sports, it has become difficult for small and medium clubs to keep themselves afloat.

During lockdown and post lockdown, there has been an increase in media consumption. In the absence of live games, the sports industry is trying to capitalize on the surge in media consumption by telecasting classic games, archived content, and documentaries. Individual leagues are following the same. For example, the NFL has made all games played since 2009 available for streaming on its direct-to-consumer channel Game Pass. This strategy has resulted in a 500-fold increase in sign-ups.

The Business Research Company’s report titled Sports Global Market Opportunities And Strategies To 2030 covers major sports market companies, sports market share by company, sports market size, and sports market forecasts.

The report also covers the global sports market and its segments. The global sports market is segmented by type into participatory sports and spectator sports and by revenue source into media rights, sponsorship, merchandising, and tickets. The top opportunities in the sports market segmented by type will arise in the participatory sports segment, which will gain $136.7 billion of global annual sales by 2025. The top opportunities in the sports market segmented by revenue source will arise in the sponsorship segment, which will gain $71.1 billion of global annual sales by 2025.

Sports Global Market Opportunities And Strategies To 2030 is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provide market overviews, analyze and forecast sports market size and growth for the whole market, sports market segments and geographies, sports market trends, sports market drivers, sports market restraints, sports market-leading competitors’ revenues, profiles and market shares in over 1,000 industry reports, covering over 2,500 market segments and 60 geographies. The report also gives an in-depth analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on the market.

The global sports market is highly fragmented, with a large number of players in the market. The top ten competitors in the market made up to 1.6% of the total market in 2019. Major players in the market include Maruhan, Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, Manchester United Football Club, and Futball Club Barcelona.

AI gaming platforms

BetConstruct AI Sets the Tone for 2026 iGaming with Harmony Choice Event in Barcelona

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

betconstruct-ai-sets-the-tone-for-2026-igaming-with-harmony-choice-event-in-barcelona

BetConstruct AI defines a new era of iGaming at Harmony Choice in Barcelona

On January 17, BetConstruct AI officially ushered in the 2026 iGaming season with Harmony Choice, an exclusive industry gathering held in Barcelona just days ahead of ICE Barcelona. Hosted at one of the city’s most iconic venues, the event brought together senior industry leaders for an evening of strategic dialogue, collaboration, and high-level networking.

Designed to set the tone for the year ahead, Harmony Choice became the stage for a series of major announcements that highlight BetConstruct AI’s ambition to reshape the iGaming ecosystem through artificial intelligence and scalable technology.

Choice Gaming officially launched

Taking center stage, Vigen Badalyan, Co-founder of BetConstruct AI, announced the official launch of Choice Gaming. The platform has already demonstrated rapid adoption, going live on more than 1,000 websites at launch.

Looking ahead, BetConstruct AI revealed an ambitious growth plan, projecting integration across 5,000+ websites by the end of February. To reward early adopters, the company announced that every 51st integrator will receive the entire Choice Gaming slot portfolio free for one year.

KISS AI Live Casino debuts

Harmony Choice also marked the unveiling of KISS AI Live Casino, a groundbreaking live casino solution powered entirely by advanced artificial intelligence. Positioned as a next-generation product, KISS AI Live Casino aims to redefine player interaction and operational efficiency within live gaming environments.

To accelerate adoption, BetConstruct AI introduced a limited-time incentive: partners integrating KISS AI Live Casino by February 25 will receive the platform free for one year.

Faster scaling with Open API integration

Further streamlining partner onboarding, BetConstruct AI announced that Open API integration would be available on both BetConstruct AI and Choice Gaming websites starting January 19. The updated system enables online contract sign-offs, allowing operators to integrate products and scale operations faster and more efficiently.

Leadership insights and new product reveals

The evening also featured strategic insights from senior leadership across the group:

Vahagn Badalyan, CEO of Badalyan Brothers, reviewed recent milestones and unveiled two new live casino games from Creedroomz, reinforcing the group’s live casino offering.
Leonid Kirakosyan, CEO of BetConstruct AI, introduced Betting Mate, an AI-powered recommendation engine designed to enhance sportsbook engagement through personalized, data-driven betting suggestions.

Setting the benchmark for 2026

More than a networking event, Harmony Choice served as a clear statement of intent. By blending human creativity with artificial intelligence, BetConstruct AI demonstrated its commitment to equipping operators with flexible tools, advanced AI solutions, and diverse gaming portfolios.

As the industry turns its attention to ICE Barcelona 2026, BetConstruct AI has set a high benchmark for innovation, scalability, and strategic vision — positioning Harmony Choice as one of the defining moments at the start of the iGaming year.

The post BetConstruct AI Sets the Tone for 2026 iGaming with Harmony Choice Event in Barcelona appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Casino Technology

Danny Wu Wins Cubeia’s ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament Featuring Henrik Larsson & Johan Mjällby

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

danny-wu-wins-cubeia’s-ice-barcelona-vip-poker-tournament-featuring-henrik-larsson-&-johan-mjallby

Danny Wu triumphs at Cubeia’s ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament

Cubeia, the Sweden-based iGaming software solutions provider, has announced Danny Wu as the winner of its inaugural ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament, held in partnership with QTech Games. The standout event featured a special table that included Swedish football icons Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjällby, drawing significant attention from ICE attendees.

A high-profile showdown at ICE Barcelona

Hosted on Day 2 at Cubeia’s eye-catching stand, the VIP poker tournament quickly became a focal point of the exhibition floor. Danny Wu emerged victorious after an entertaining and competitive session, taking home the top prize of €1,500.

The table combined serious poker action with relaxed conversation, as players swapped hands and shared football stories, creating an atmosphere that resonated with both poker enthusiasts and industry professionals.

A premium VIP experience

Cubeia elevated the experience with a curated VIP setting, complete with champagne and beer, reinforcing the social and celebratory tone of the event. The lively ambience helped generate buzz throughout the day and showcased Cubeia’s ability to deliver memorable, community-driven activations at major industry events.

Spotlight on Cubeia Originals

Alongside the tournament, visitors explored Cubeia’s Originals portfolio, including upcoming titles such as Chicken Cross Tower, Multiplier Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, and Snakes. The showcase highlighted Cubeia’s commitment to innovative content and engaging game mechanics.

Industry praise

Tove Nilsson, Marketing & Event Coordinator at Cubeia, commented:

“The VIP Poker Tournament exceeded all expectations and was a major highlight of ICE Barcelona. Working with our partners, QTech Games, we delivered a truly premium experience. The atmosphere around the table was exactly what we hoped for — competitive, social, and genuinely fun. Congratulations to Danny on a deserved win, and huge thanks to Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjällby for being such great sports.”

Bringing the industry together

The success of the ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament underlines Cubeia’s strength in creating unique, high-impact experiences that connect partners, players, and visitors. By blending celebrity appeal, quality gameplay, and premium hospitality, Cubeia reinforced its position as a brand that values community and innovation within the iGaming industry.

The post Danny Wu Wins Cubeia’s ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament Featuring Henrik Larsson & Johan Mjällby appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

affiliate marketing

N1 Partners Takes Flight in Barcelona: Helicopter Awarded at iGB Affiliate 2026 Finale

Published

8 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

n1-partners-takes-flight-in-barcelona:-helicopter-awarded-at-igb-affiliate-2026-finale

The curtains have closed on iGB Affiliate 2026, but the echoes of N1 Partners’ massive presence are still vibrating through the halls of the Fira de Barcelona. After two days of high-stakes networking and over 500 business meetings, the company concluded the event by awarding a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter to the grand winner of the N1 Puzzle Promo.

A Hub of Industry Activity

From January 20 to 21, the N1 Partners stand (80-C80) served as a primary nervous system for the expo floor. The team maintained a relentless pace, facilitating hundreds of discussions regarding traffic strategies and custom deals.

Beyond the boardroom-style meetings, the stand offered a more interactive “Plinko” activity and distributed over 300 branded merchandise packs, ensuring the N1 brand remained visible across the entire conference.

Media Spotlight and Thought Leadership

The company’s influence extended beyond the booth, with leadership participating in more than 10 interviews and podcasts. These sessions focused on sustainable growth within the iGaming sector and evolving affiliate expectations, further solidifying N1 Partners’ reputation as a transparent and performance-driven program.

The Grand Finale: A Night to Remember

The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the N1 Puzzle Promo Party, an exclusive, closed-format celebration that saw over 2,000 registrations. While only 600 guests could be accommodated, the venue was packed with the industry’s top decision-makers and affiliates.

The atmosphere reached a fever pitch as the winners of the N1 Puzzle Promo leaderboard were announced:

Rank	Partner Name
1st Place (Helicopter Winner)	Cash Splash
2nd Place	Advertise
3rd Place	Traffic Squad
4th Place	Seven Group
5th Place	Alfaleads Network

The evening concluded with a live performance from a surprise headline guest and high-energy DJ sets, marking the successful end of a campaign that was recently named Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards.