The Ryder Cup emerged victorious at the prestigious Sports Technology Awards in London last night, claiming the top spot in the Event of the Year category for its groundbreaking technology implemented during the event in Rome last year. The annual awards honor trailblazers in the field of sports technology, highlighting those who leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance the experiences of fans, athletes, and partners within the sporting world. Despite facing tough competition from Wimbledon, the ICC World Cup, and The Ocean Race, The Ryder Cup secured the coveted accolade.
The 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome was driven by a vision to combine the intense competition on the course with a technologically advanced amphitheater that would elevate the experience for the 272,000 attendees. This vision came to life with the creation of a mini smart city in the heart of the Italian countryside, featuring an Intelligent Course infused with technology. The event boasted the largest deployment of Wi-Fi 6e ever seen at a sporting event, successfully bridging the gap between fans watching from their armchairs and spectators on the course.
Michael Cole, Chief Technology Officer of the European Tour group, spoke proudly of the achievement, stating that the technology strategy for the Rome 2023 event focused on creating engagement, excitement, and a lasting experience for all involved. The utilization of location-based services and targeted rich media content fostered engagement, while new course features brought fans closer to the action, generating excitement. The seamless end-to-end experience ensured that attendees left with lasting memories, making it one of the best sporting events they had ever experienced. The positive feedback received from fans and partners post-event has been overwhelming, and the recognition from industry peers at the Sports Technology Awards is a true honor.