AI Could Revolutionize Soccer Analytics, Management, Engagement

Soccer teams and sports organizations are using AI for sports analytics, business management, and injury prevention, aiming to enhance their performance and operations. This integration is not only revolutionizing sports analytics, but also internal operations and fan experience.

"Many clubs still confuse sports analytics with performance analysis, but the real revolution lies in the integration of AI to optimize decision-making models and generate new revenue streams, as well as prevent injuries and improve fan engagement," says Rodrigo Cobo, Co-Founder, ITAM Sports Analytics Conference, to El Economista. 

Unlike traditional sports analytics, AI allows for more efficient modeling and more accurate decision making in real time, says Cobo.

According to SAP, the use of AI and Big Data has also enabled the implementation of predictive analytics systems, which process large volumes of data in real time, improving both sports and business decision -making. John Rincón, AI Expert, SAP, highlights that this technology helps clubs make more informed decisions, which contributes to their competitiveness in a global market that generates multi-billion dollar revenues, as evidenced by the fact that the top 20 soccer clubs generated more than US$10.9 million in 2023, according to Deloitte.

Teams such as Monterrey F.C are leading the implementation of AI in the country, says Cobo. The team is using SAP Business One, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, to digitize all commercial transactions and optimize season ticket sales and fiscal and operational management. Other teams such as Flamengo, Palmeiras, Gremio, and FC Bayern Munich have adopted ERP technologies, not only to improve governance and internal management, but also to reduce risk and operate with greater flexibility, this according to SAP.