NIAA Selects GoFan as Official Digital Ticketing Provider

#STUB - American Conference StubHub Announce FirstEver Open Distribution Partnership in College Sports News & Disclaimer https://lnkd.in/e3rNTNKU Three-Year Agreement Makes StubHub the Official Open Distribution Partner of American Conference Championship Events The American Conference and StubHub today announced a three-year sponsorship and ticketing partnership that names StubHub the Official Open Distribution Partner of the ...

2026 World Cup Shatters Attendance Expectations Despite High Ticket Prices Concerns that expensive ticket prices would lead to empty seats at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have proven largely unfounded. As the tournament enters its second week, attendance figures indicate extraordinary demand, with fans filling stadiums at rates that could make this the most-attended World Cup in history. After the first 36 matches, FIFA reported total attendance exceeding 2.3 million spectators, averaging more than 64,000 fans per game. Even more striking, stadium occupancy has reached nearly 100 percent, demonstrating that demand remains exceptionally strong despite elevated ticket prices. The tournament is now on pace to surpass the long-standing attendance record established during the 1994 World Cup in the United States. That event attracted approximately 3.5 million spectators across 52 matches, a record that has survived multiple tournament expansions over the past three decades. Several factors are driving the surge in demand. The 2026 tournament features 48 national teams for the first time, increasing the number of participating countries and expanding the global fan base. The United States also provides access to large stadiums, extensive transportation infrastructure, and a massive domestic sports market capable of supporting record-breaking crowds. Demand has been especially strong for matches involving the United States and other high-profile teams. As a result, ticket prices on primary and secondary markets have remained elevated, creating challenges for some fans while reflecting the extraordinary interest surrounding the event. Key Takeaways: The 2026 World Cup is drawing record crowds despite concerns over high ticket prices. More than 2.3 million fans attended the first 36 matches, with stadium occupancy approaching 100 percent. The tournament is on track to surpass the attendance record set during the 1994 World Cup and could become the most-attended World Cup in history. The broader implication is that global demand for elite sporting events remains remarkably resilient. The combination of expanded tournament participation, strong international travel, and the growing commercial power of football has transformed the World Cup into an even larger global phenomenon, capable of generating unprecedented attendance and economic impact. Former White House Lead Communications Engineer | Strategic Advisor My content creates 20+ million views annually and growing across defense, AI, quantum, energy, infrastructure, and policy communities. Open to select advisory board and strategic advisory opportunities featuring monthly retainers and meaningful equity participation. Keith King https://lnkd.in/gHPvUttw

What can Wimbledon’s ticketing system teach us about sports management? Ticketing plays an important role in every sports event. It helps manage demand, organize visitor flow, support communication, and shape the overall fan experience. Wimbledon offers a useful example of how successful sports events depend on well-designed systems behind the scenes. From access management to audience trust, ticketing shows how sport, business, and management are closely connected. At PSM, examples like this help bring the Sports Management program closer to the real business challenges shaping the sports industry. Read the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/d9SnTExw

The best venue operators don’t wait for event days to generate revenue. “Dark buildings” are only dark if we allow them to be. A great example is the growing number of FIFA World Cup watch parties taking place in stadiums, arenas, and entertainment venues coast to coast. Instead of sitting idle between major events, operators are transforming their facilities into community gathering places that generate incremental food & beverage, premium seating, sponsorship, parking, merchandise, and operational revenue. As KNBC recently reported here in Los Angeles, watch parties create opportunities to introduce new fans to the venue and strengthen long-term customer loyalty. This goes beyond juar showing a match on a big screen. It’s about maximizing the value of an asset that already exists, an asset with millions of dollars of capital improvements designed to deliver a great gameday experience. The most successful venue operators are asking: • How do we activate our buildings 365 days a year? Ghost kitchens in the past. • What experiences can we create beyond the event calendar? • How do we monetize every square foot while deepening community engagement? With major global events like the FIFA World Cup, venues have an opportunity to create memorable experiences even when they aren’t hosting a match. That’s smart asset utilization and makes for smart business. Operators who think beyond traditional event programming will be the ones who unlock the greatest long term value. #Sports #Hospitality #LiveEvents https://lnkd.in/gefH9CXK

On Saturday I ran a trial event using the latest build of CourtsOS at Vida Del Padel. What a fantastic evening of padel. The event brought together 14 players across two doubles courts and one singles court, and it was a great opportunity to see how CourtsOS performed in a real club environment. Players were able to see: • Which court they were playing on • Who they were partnered with • Who they were playing against • Their live position in the rankings Most importantly, they didn’t need any instruction. Halfway through the evening I realised I had become entirely redundant. Players instinctively knew how to enter scores, check standings and see what was happening next. Even a late arrival was accommodated seamlessly without disrupting the tournament. Now, I won’t pretend it was perfect—and that’s exactly why we test. One player ended up with three consecutive matches on the singles court (tough evening!), and the randomisation was perhaps a little too effective, matching Dave against Toby in one round and then Toby against Dave in the next. But those are the kinds of insights that make real-world testing so valuable. Every event helps refine the scheduling algorithm, improve the player experience and move the project forward. The goal has never been to build software. The goal is to make it easier for clubs to run engaging events, build stronger communities and keep players coming back. If you run a sports venue and would like to explore how technology can help grow engagement and simplify event management, I’d love to have a conversation. #CourtsOS #Padel #SportsTech #CommunityBuilding #ClubManagement #PadelClub #EventManagement

#FreshTakeFriday 💡 Every digital fan touchpoint is sponsorship inventory. Your ticketing journey isn't just a sales channel. It's one of your most overlooked sponsorship assets. The University of Toledo Athletic Department used PAC Live hosted images to extend sponsor visibility throughout its online ticket-buying experience. The takeaway: Your next sponsorship opportunity may already exist within your digital fan journey. Before creating another sponsorship package, ask yourself: - Where are fans already engaging? - Which digital touchpoints are currently unsold? - How could those moments create more value for your partners? Small changes like these can strengthen sponsor relationships while enhancing the fan experience. 👏 Shoutout to Alekzandr Popper, Dantevius Branigan, M.S., and The University of Toledo Athletic Department for putting this strategy into action. What digital touchpoint at your venue could create more value for a sponsor? Read more: https://bit.ly/4gr72vC #PACcommunity #PACBestPractices #PACLive #Sponsorship #FanExperience

What makes a sporting event successful before it even begins? Most people experience a sporting event on match day. By then, the outcome has already been shaped. Not on the field. Around it. Long before the first ticket is sold, the pieces are moved, shuttle is struck or whistle is blown, an entire ecosystem needs to move in the same direction. Athletes need stories people care about. Media needs narratives worth following. Sponsors need a platform they can believe in. Fans need reasons to anticipate, engage and return. Stakeholders need alignment around a shared vision. Communities need to feel like they belong. The most successful sporting properties understand that audiences don't simply arrive when the event begins. Momentum is built long before the opening ceremony. And often, the strongest events are not the ones that generate the most attention. They're the ones that bring together the most people with a shared stake in the outcome. Because sport isn't just competition. It's coordination. And behind every successful sporting event is an ecosystem working towards the same goal. #SportsBusiness #SportsCommunications #SportsMarketing #IntegratedCommunications #SportsIndustry #SportsEvents #SportsEcosystem #SportsPR #SocialSeeding

Why do so many brands invest in running events? 🏃♀️🏃♂️ Running events are more than races—they're opportunities to build genuine connections with communities. For brands, they offer the chance to: ✅ Engage directly with participants ✅ Build meaningful brand recall ✅ Create memorable product experiences ✅ Generate authentic social media content The strongest event partnerships go beyond logo placement. They create value for participants while helping brands build trust, visibility, and lasting relationships. At TE Sports, we believe every event should deliver an experience that benefits both the community and the brands that support it. What do you think is the biggest advantage of sponsoring a community running event? #BrandPartnerships #EventMarketing #SportsMarketing #Marathon #RunningEvents #BrandActivations #CommunityEngagement #CorporateEvents #TESports #ExperientialMarketing

If you run a pub or bar, the 2026 World Cup is the biggest commercial opportunity you'll see this year. UK fans are forecast to spend £898m in hospitality across the tournament. With more venues closing every month, the ones left standing have a real chance to make this count. We've written a practical guide to help you prepare: fixture planning, online bookings, the licensing extension, match day atmosphere, complaint handling, and how to turn six weeks of footfall into customers who come back after the final whistle. It's not about having the best screens. It's about running the smartest operation. Read the full guide here: https://lnkd.in/eetZxgfN #WorldCup #WorldCup2026 #football