Burnley Launches Innovation Hub to Fast-Track SportTech Startups

Burnley FC has launched the Innovation Hub, a six-month tech accelerator designed to implement next-generation sports technology within a Premier League context. This initiative invites two to three early-stage sports tech startups to work alongside the club’s operational and athletic teams, providing them with hands-on trials in a unique real-world environment at Turf Moor.

Selected startups will gain direct access to club staff, decision-makers, operational infrastructure and elite athletes from both the first team and the academy. They will receive real-time data feedback and insights into performance metrics, coaching workflows, stadium operations and fan engagement, all supported by Burnley’s leadership and facilities.

The programme centres around two core themes: football performance and fan experience. The football performance aspect encompasses areas such as scouting, athlete management, cognitive training, performance analytics, as well as medical and nutritional innovation. The fan experience section includes innovative stadium solutions, retail and social commerce, digital fan journeys and marketing/media engagement. Notably, startups can participate without any upfront investment; the value lies in pilot validation, refinement and partnership opportunities with a top-tier club.

Applications for the programme will be open through mid to late 2025, with a pitch day scheduled for November. Pilot testing is set to commence in December and continue through May, culminating in evaluations and decisions regarding further collaboration by June 2026.

This initiative highlights Burnley’s transition to a modern, innovation-driven operating model. Club chairman Alan Pace emphasised that “innovation is at the forefront of what we do,” indicating a long-term commitment to growth, efficiency, sustainability and renewed fan engagement. The Innovation Hub is positioned as both a competitive advantage and a strategic asset, serving as a testing ground for technology solutions that could influence future operations on and off the pitch.

Strategically, Burnley is aligning itself with a growing trend among football clubs to act as live innovation platforms. By offering startups an authentic testing ground, the club gains early access to emerging technologies. In contrast, the startups benefit from credibility, exposure and expedited iteration cycles.

Furthermore, the program reflects Burnley’s broader commercial and performance ambitions, balancing the club’s tradition of being well-managed with a forward-looking mindset. The integration of legacy and innovation not only enhances club culture but also boosts its appeal to investors, partners and the broader sports technology ecosystem.