The EMCA Sport Innovation Hub transforms sports clubs into centers of innovation and technology

The EMCA Sport Innovation Hub transforms sports clubs into centers of innovation and technology at a European scale.

EMCA continues to grow and pioneer. With the official presentation of the Sport Innovation Hub in Sant Cugat, Barcelona, the European Multisport Club Association sets the foundation for a strategic initiative that connects the world of sport with European ecosystems in health, technology, and education. The event, hosted at CAR Sant Cugat, served as the first pilot implementation of a model that transforms sports clubs into “living labs” for innovation.

​The objective of the EMCA Sport Innovation Hub is to create an environment where innovative solutions can be tested and developed in real-life conditions. The key pillars of the initiative include health and prevention, sports performance, sustainability, healthy lifestyles, and education. Through this networking, EMCA facilitates the connection between startups, universities, technology centers, and public administration, strengthening the role of multisport clubs as accelerators of progress with a real impact on society.

The project structure is based on four central pillars:

• EMCA Demo Day: An annual European meeting to connect innovative companies with sports clubs.

• EMCA Labs (Living Labs): A network of clubs acting as testing environments for new technological solutions.
  ​European Sports Innovation Observatory: A tool to identify trends and share specialized knowledge.
• Strategic Alliances: Collaborations with academic institutions, European bodies, and industry partners.
• ​The success of the pilot phase in Barcelona, with the participation of leading organizations and technology companies, confirms the dynamics of the model. EMCA consolidates its position as a reference point for the implementation of European programs, promoting sustainability and digital transformation.

The next step involves activating the Hub’s operational plan, opening new funding and development opportunities for European sport.