The future of technology applied to sports and international football is set to reach its climax on stage at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. On November 10, 2026, at 3:10 PM, the Innovation Stage of the ninth edition of SFS will host the final phase of SFS ExtraTime 2026. This prestigious innovation platform and startup competition is organized in collaboration with Go Project, Theorema, and Social Media Soccer, with Fantacalcio among the Main Partners. It promises to be a highly anticipated event featuring eight emerging pioneers competing for victory in an edition marked by exceptional technical standards and global reach.
The final cohort reflects the culmination of a competitive process that drew over fifty applications from twelve countries, underscoring the international appeal and relevance of the initiative. The eight selected startups strike a perfect balance between the Italian innovation ecosystem and technological drives from abroad, comprising four domestic projects alongside four international entries originating from Kenya, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Denmark.
The solutions presented will address the core pillars reshaping business models and management across contemporary football: from data analytics and advanced performance and athlete-health technologies to operational management systems for sports organizations, next-generation fan engagement and experiences, community building through sports, and environmental and financial sustainability for clubs and leagues.
The pitch competition, hosted and moderated by Vincenzo Filetti, will see startup founders and leaders showcase their innovations to demonstrate the strength and scalability of their business models. Representing the talent and vision of this year's edition will be Natalia Cubillos for Go4it - Sports Management Technology, Karim Fawaz for PLAYBACK SPORTS AI, Hayaki Tsuji for One Smile Tech, Inc., Andrea Rigobello for Moovon Labs s.r.l., Iacopo Livia for play2match SRL SB, Andrea Quattrocchi for umo health, Stefano Maneri for RISE - sustainability for sport, and Pouya Tobias Strand Nikoui for Twinspire.
Elevating the intensity of the 2026 format will be a dedicated Shark Tank session following the preliminary pitches. This demanding secondary stage will require finalists to present directly to a panel of investors and key industry decision-makers, aiming to secure their backing and drive the expansion of their technology solutions. SFS ExtraTime 2026 reaffirms its position as a premier hub where innovation meets capital, propelling the sports industry decisively into the future.