LALIGA launches Tech Powerhouse 2026, a new observatory focusing on technology and artificial intelligence applied to football

Nota de Prensa

WED 29.07.2026

LALIGA has published ‘Tech Powerhouse2026’, an annual report on technology, artificial intelligence and innovation applied to football, produced in collaboration with 380AMK, a consultancy specialising in sports strategy and innovation.

In compiling Tech Powerhouse 2026, more than 50 sectoral and economic reports were analysed, in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 experts, benchmarking of the main European leagues was carried out, and success stories, applied research and contributions from national and international experts were included. The report examines both the technologies that will transform the sport over the coming decade and the capabilities that organisations need to develop in order to adopt them, such as the adoption of hybrid professional roles.

The launch builds on more than a decade of investment and technological transformation at LALIGA, during which the organisation has developed its own solutions, promoted data sharing amongst clubs, created an ecosystem of applied research and integrated artificial intelligence into its internal processes, thereby accumulating extensive know-how.

“Technology, and AI in particular, has become a strategic capability for growth and for generating value for clubs and fans. After more than a decade of LALIGA’s commitment to technology, we want to contribute to the industry’s knowledge by sharing an objective perspective on the major changes that will shape the future of the sport. This has been made possible thanks to our privileged position as key players in recent years, which has enabled us to collaborate with leading experts and gather high-value know-how that we can now share,” says Javier Tebas, president of LALIGA

The major trends that will shape the future of football

‘Tech Powerhouse 2026’ identifies several trends that are already transforming the sports industry and which will accelerate its development over the coming years.

These include the shift towards agent-based AI within organisations, capable of automating complex processes and enhancing the value of competitions and clubs; the growing importance of technological sovereignty and data control – an area on which LALIGA has placed particular emphasis over the last decade, even going so far as to create a department dedicated exclusively to compliance; also of note is the development and use of digital twins for various applications, such as optimising sporting performance, managing stadium attendance or enhancing the fan experience; the consolidation of smart stadiums as constantly evolving intelligent environments; and the hyper-personalisation of data-driven content and services through artificial intelligence, which delivers personalised experiences.

The report also analyses the impact these technologies will have on the management of sports organisations, decision-making, content protection, scientific research and the emergence of new professional roles linked to sport and technology.

A distinctive technological model in Europe

In addition to analysing trends, Tech Powerhouse 2026 provides a brief analysis of the technological landscape of the major European leagues and identifies the elements that set LALIGA’s model apart, making it unique within the industry.

According to the report, the LALIGA ecosystem combines the following key distinguishing features:

• In-house technology: the development of in-house technology and its commercialisation through Sportian, the joint venture set up with Globant, including tools such as Sportian Performance and Calendar Selector – developments created within LALIGA.

• Democratisation of technology: LALIGA makes data and advanced tools, as well as training, available to all 42 professional clubs.

• Research ecosystem: The role of the Football Intelligence department as a research ecosystem focused on sporting performance, through research collaborations with academic institutions and scientific publications. The scientific journal *Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte* recognised LALIGA this year as Europe’s leading sports research ecosystem.

• Structural transformation plan: The commitment to organisational transformation based on artificial intelligence, integrating AI across the board into decision-making and process automation. As part of this plan, LALIGA has provided training on various aspects of AI to 100 per cent of its staff, ranging from the use of AI tools to an understanding of the new EU Regulation.

This journey has enabled LALIGA to move from consuming technology to creating it; from using data to turning it into knowledge; and from meeting its own needs to offering solutions to other sports organisations.

‘Tech Powerhouse 2026’ is the first edition of a publication that will be produced annually and aims to establish itself as a platform for analysing technological developments in sport.