FAI Signs Up TRACKCHAMP as Official Video and Data Partner

LONDON, December 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

The Football Association of Ireland and TRACKCHAMP are pleased to announce a ground-breaking partnership which will see every SSE Airtricity League game live-streamed from the start of next season. The deal, which will initially run for four years, establishes TRACKCHAMP as the official video and data partner of Irish football.

TRACKCHAMP uses state-of-the-art TRACAB Image processing technology to digitise match footage in real-time. These technologies build the ultimate data resource for coaches, players and fans. Tracking objects in 3D, up to 25 times per second with an accuracy of within 1 decimetre, this technology will collect performance data covering everything from player speeds and distances to possession percentages and provides a quantum leap for the analytical resources available to Irish clubs.

Designed specifically for ambitious leagues looking to close the gap on the likes of the Premier League and Bundesliga, TRACKCHAMP will provide an additional source of revenue for the FAI, while improving engagement and performance within the SSE Airtricity League. Up to 15 jobs are expected to be created across the country to maintain TRACKCHAMP as the ultimate data tool to assist in the improvement of performance, on the pitch and in the boardroom.

TRACKCHAMP was last year successfully adopted by the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL), helping to contribute to a 12% increase in stadium attendances and the increased revenues, achieved via sponsorship opportunities and license fees, resulted in significant improvements in grassroots investment - paving the way for sustainable growth.

Throughout next season, more than 250 SSE Airtricity games will be streamed live over the internet, providing global reach, brand awareness and visibility for the League, clubs and its players.

Welcoming the partnership with TRACKCHAMP, John Delaney, CEO with the FAI said today: "We are constantly striving to improve the SSE Airtricity League. The introduction of exciting new technologies which will increase global reach and will allow clubs to gather increased technological analysis can only be good for the national game.

Martin Füreder of TRACKCHAMP added: "For us, this is about the democratisation of football. TRACKCHAMP is designed specifically for the ambitious leagues to help bring them closer to the likes of the Premier League and Bundesliga. We are confident that our technology will widen fan engagement and generate new commercial revenue streams for our Partner Leagues."

About TRACKCHAMP: 

TRACKCHAMP is a joint venture between CHYRONHEGO, the world leader in real-time tracking technologies and bwin.party digital entertainment, the global online gaming company which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. We have brought the best of both our experiences together to enable a new way of capturing sports and to provide Leagues and Federations with a platform to boost both exposure, player performance and to create new revenue streams. For more information about TRACKCHAMP visit: http://www.trackchamp.com

TRACKCHAMP's many unique features including live-streaming, data collection and video analysis will ensure that basic 'He runs, he shoots, he scores' commentary will be banished to the footballing archives and replaced with a plethora of stats and data to provide a substantially more in-depth overview of Irish football.