Sports Tech Sector Sees Deal Values Double In Landmark Year
Sports technology dealmaking defied geopolitical turmoil and economic headwinds in 2025, more than doubling in total value to roughly $200 billion, according to a new report from investment bank Drake Star Global.
Why it matters: While the actual number of transactions remained flat, the size of the checks exploded. Massive acquisitions by media giants and sovereign wealth funds carried the sector, proving that premium sports assets remain a top priority for investors regardless of broader market volatility.
By the numbers:
$156 billion: The total value of sports tech mergers in 2025, more than doubling the $72 billion seen in 2024.
450: The total number of merger deals, which actually dropped slightly year-over-year.
$82.7 billion: The massive bid by streaming giant Netflix for Warner Bros, a major driver of the year's total.
$55 billion: The sale price of video game titan Electronic Arts (EA) to a group led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Between the lines: Institutional investors are flooding the zone. Private equity firms launched $12 billion in new sports-focused funds last year.
Youth sports are also emerging as a hot sector. Average annual household spending on youth athletics has risen 46% since 2019, driving demand for new technology to manage professionalised youth leagues.
What to watch: Expect the spending spree to continue in 2026. U.S. private equity firms are sitting on $880 billion in dry powder ready to be deployed, with analysts predicting a mix of mega-deals and mid-sized consolidation.
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