Accelerated AI Adoption, Shifting Fan Expectations and Sponsor Priorities: The 2026 Fan Engagement, Monetisation and AI Trends Survey
Stats Perform has published the 2026 edition of its Sports Fan Engagement, Content Monetisation and AI Trends Report, providing a range of applicable insights based on the survey responses of 675 sports media executives working in different fan-facing roles around the world.
The report highlights the acceleration of AI adoption across every sector during the past twelve months, in addition to areas where executives see AI potentially enhancing the production and delivery of content to fans over the next five years. The report also provides insight into how organisations working in sport are looking to respond to changing audience behaviours, avenues of untapped revenue opportunity and existing sponsorship pain points.
Notable findings within the report include:
- 81% of execs surveyed have expanded their use of AI in the past year to gain efficiency and cut costs.
- By 2030, survey respondents anticipate that owned apps and social video platforms will overtake websites as primary digital fan engagement channels.
- While 70% of respondents say sponsors now demand more digital content, over one-third struggle to find authentic ways to connect sponsors with sport.
- Nearly 50% of respondents plan to grow their international sponsor portfolio, while over half are increasing investment in women's sport sponsorships.
"By combining qualitative insights with quantitative data, from different sectors and regions, this report reveals views from the inside on the key trends influencing fan engagement and content commercialisation," said Charles Kaplan, Chief Marketing Officer at Stats Perform. "Together, these insights provide a clear picture of where the sports media industry sees itself today and clear signals in relation to how an organisation can thrive with the support of AI during the second half of this decade."
As the world leader in sports AI and data, Stats Perform already helps global teams, broadcasters, media, apps, sportsbooks and brands to win audiences, customers and trophies, by transforming athletic achievements into powerful content, analysis, insight and revenues. Earlier this month Stats Perform's AI-powered Opta Stream was named 'Best Tool or Service' at the 2025 FBIN Management Excellence Awards, recognition of how the tool has unlocked deeper fan engagement and new commercial opportunities for multiple clients around the world.
Stats Perform's 2026 Sports Fan Engagement, Content Monetisation and AI Trends Report is available for download now. Please fill out the form below to get instant access.
