The sports tech app landscape in Southeast Asia is rapidly evolving, with a growing number of startups significantly impacting the sector. The region is becoming a hotbed for sports-focused startups, covering various sectors such as performance and activity, fans and media, and betting and gaming.
The local scene is witnessing rapid growth, with startups continually striving to enhance how sports professionals perform, connect, and engage with their global fan base. As the sector continues to evolve and new technologies emerge, the face of sports in the region and beyond is changing.
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Here’s a closer look at the top 5 sports tech applications that are changing the game in Southeast Asia.
ONE Championship
Singapore-based ONE Championship is a prominent sports tech company known for its innovative approach to mixed martial arts (MMA) and live events. The company strongly focuses on digital engagement and has successfully expanded its fan base through its unique sports tech initiatives.
With investors such as Temasek, Qatar Investment Authority, and Guggenheim Investments pumping USD 515 million into the company to date, it has grown to become the most significant sports media platform in the region. It already broadcasts to more than 190 countries through partners such as Amazon Prime, beIN Sports, Disney+ Hotstar, and others, and is planning to expand into the USA market.
AYO Indonesia
Born as a resource for football teams, AYO Indonesia has become so much more. It is making waves in the sports tech industry with its mobile app, which works to enhance engagement with various sports. The app’s user-friendly interface and diverse features have contributed to increased participation in sports in the region.
The platform enables those who wish to participate in sports to find teams, training solutions or leagues. Its stated mission is to increase the number of active, healthy sports-participating users, and it claims that almost 130 thousand people have registered, including over 11 thousand teams. This success has led to three funding rounds for undisclosed amounts since 2020. In the latest round of seed funding, Olympic gold medalist Greysia Polii joined other investors to add to the startup’s coffers to help with its planned improvements to the app.
Golfdigg
Gaining traction in the Southeast Asian golfing community, Golfdigg is one of Thailand’s leading sports startups. The company’s mobile app provides golfers a seamless platform to discover and book tee times at top-rated golf courses, making it a game-changer in the golfing industry.
With access to over 150 golf courses in 40 cities, the platform already has more than 50 thousand users. In recent years, it has expanded into other leisure industry sectors, offering customers access to spas and transportation. It also aims to provide deals for other leisure activities and experiences as it evolves.
SportsHero
Social competition platform SportsHero has emerged as a key player in the sector, offering a unique prediction app that allows users to engage with their favourite sports interactively and competitively. The app’s innovative approach to sports prediction has garnered a significant user base. It continues to drive user engagement as top-ranked fans stand to win daily, weekly, and monthly prizes and can interact with fellow sports fans on the SportsHero network.
The ready-built community also allows brands to tap into and engage their user base, offering official accounts with sponsored content. Using AI technology, it has also developed in-app virtual currency, available via SportsHero Points and Golden Tickets, which are exchangeable for merchandise, event tickets, and other items on SportsHero.
Rovo
Rovo is a dynamic app that has gained attention for its innovative approach to connecting sports enthusiasts and facilitating activities. The company’s mobile app serves as a social platform for sports lovers, enabling them to discover, connect, and engage in various sports and fitness activities, thereby transforming the sports experience in the region.
It currently supports racquet sports such as tennis, badminton, table tennis, and squash, and it provides a service to find players with the desired skill set around the user’s location. Additionally, it offers fitness and yoga workouts, allowing users to do bodyweight, dumbbell, HIIT, and yoga exercises at home.
A promising future for sports tech in Southeast Asia
With predictions showing the market value of sports apps in Southeast Asia growing from USD 8.37 million in 2022 to USD 14.51 million by 2027 and other sporting tech usage also rising, the future is bright for startups working in Asia Pacific’s sports and fitness fields.
Currently, the region’s sports tech landscape is witnessing remarkable growth and innovation, with startups like those mentioned above leading the charge. Their unique approach to sports tech app development is reshaping the way sports enthusiasts engage with their favourite activities, and their continued focus on user experience and technological advancement is likely to propel them forward in the coming years, solidifying their position as key players in the region’s sports tech industry.