Like numerous other areas of social life, the sports and live entertainment industry was heavily affected by the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As a result, the entire industry came to a standstill in the Netherlands and elsewhere. The Johan Cruyff ArenA (JCA) and the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) joined forces in response to this crisis. Their goal is to revitalise the sports and entertainment business through innovation. Therefore, the JCA and KNVB opened their facilities and networks to small and medium-sized enterprises (i.e. Innovation Partners). These can develop and test their innovative products and services in supportive and operational environments. In addition, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) joined this alliance as a research partner — the Fieldlab Reimagine Sports was born.
Researchers
Paul Huiszoon
Senior researcher, Hogeschool van AmsterdamThe project is so exciting as working with these 25 innovative enterprises gives us a glimpse into the future of sport participation and spectator services.
Jora Broerse
Senior researcher, Hogeschool van AmsterdamThe project is so exciting as working with these 25 innovative enterprises gives us a glimpse into the future of sport participation and spectator services.
Guus Heijnen
Senior researcher, Hogeschool van AmsterdamThe project is so exciting as working with these 25 innovative enterprises gives us a glimpse into the future of sport participation and spectator services.
Sam Geijer
Senior researcher, Hogeschool van AmsterdamThe project is so exciting as working with these 25 innovative enterprises gives us a glimpse into the future of sport participation and spectator services.
Partners
Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB)
The KNVB plays a leading role in football innovation in The Netherlands with the innovation hub #11, facilitating an innovation network of more than 40 companies and research institutes. In Reimagine Sports, the KNVB offers a field lab for startups with a focus on amateur football and The Netherlands national teams.
Johan Cruyff ArenA (JCA)
The Johan Cruijff ArenA is the home of AFC Ajax and the largest stadium of the Netherlands. Besides it being the host of a wide variety of events, the stadium is also an innovation fieldlab for creating sustainable events for everyone to create a meaningful memory.