Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has taken a significant step in the world of sports innovation by launching the first sports innovation accelerator at STATION F, the largest startup campus globally. This initiative, named PSG Labs, aims to attract and collaborate with promising startups to shape the future of sports.
With PSG Labs, selected startups will gain privileged access to PSG’s extensive expertise, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a global network of millions of fans. This unique program is designed to develop, test, and scale innovative solutions across the club’s international ecosystem.
"Paris Saint-Germain is proud to be the first football club in the world to join forces with STATION F, the world’s biggest startup campus. This unique collaboration – which brings together two leading French actors in Paris Saint-Germain and STATION F – will build a brilliant bridge between sports and the very best startup businesses. As a club, we are always finding new ways to harness innovation and bold ideas to fuel our future, and through this collaboration, we are proud to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, who will grow together with Paris Saint-Germain," said Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, President of Paris Saint-Germain.
This accelerator will focus on three strategic areas: Fan Experience, Stadiums & Training Facilities, and Health & Performance. Each area is vital for enhancing the relationship between the club and its supporters, optimizing club infrastructure, and leveraging technology to improve player performance.
In the realm of Fan Experience, PSG aims to transform the relationship between the club and its supporters by utilizing immersive technologies, digital platforms, and Web3 innovations. For Stadiums & Training Facilities, the focus will be on developing smart stadiums and optimizing infrastructure to enhance the matchday and training experience. Lastly, in Health & Performance, PSG plans to leverage artificial intelligence, biometrics, and wearable technology to optimize player performance and well-being.
"At STATION F, we are proud to welcome Paris Saint-Germain. This is the first time a sports club, one of the world's biggest football clubs, has joined our campus. PSG’s commitment to innovation makes it a key player in the transformation of sports. We look forward to seeing how our startups will collaborate with PSG to innovate and shape the future of sports," stated Roxanne Varza, Director of STATION F.
PSG Labs at STATION F is not just an isolated initiative. It is part of a broader strategy by PSG to expand its innovation network internationally through PSG Regional Labs, with the first hub already launched in Doha, Qatar. This initiative allows the club to tap into leading global tech ecosystems to explore and integrate cutting-edge solutions in sports technology.
Applications for PSG Lab Paris at STATION F are now open, inviting startups and scale-ups looking to shape the future of sports, media, and fan engagement to apply through PSG’s and STATION F’s official platforms.
PSG’s accelerator program comes on the heels of its recent unveiling at the Web Summit in Qatar, where the club expressed its commitment to fostering innovation in the sports industry. By establishing its accelerator at STATION F, PSG joins a prestigious lineup of tech giants and major corporations, including Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and L’Oréal, who have previously utilized the campus.
The PSG Lab Paris program is designed to support promising sports tech startups, helping them scale within the sporting and business ecosystem of France’s Ligue 1 leader. The collaboration with STATION F is seen as a natural fit, given the club’s decade-long focus on branding and social media engagement.
"Station F and PSG share the same ambition: to make Paris shine. Together, we want to show the world that the future is being built here. This collaboration will foster the champions of tomorrow," said Xavier Niel, founder of Station F, who is a frequent visitor to PSG’s home stadium, Parc des Princes.
As PSG continues to innovate, the club aims to support startups working in various fields critical to its operations, including sports performance and health, fan engagement, stadium and infrastructure modernization, artificial intelligence, Web3 and blockchain technologies, audiovisual and media, cybersecurity, and sustainability.
The PSG Lab Paris at STATION F not only serves as an innovation laboratory but is also a vital part of PSG’s strategy to enhance its on-field performance, optimize club operations, and better engage with its global fanbase. The Station F hub acts as a dynamic environment for sports tech entrepreneurs to refine and scale their technologies, ensuring that PSG remains at the forefront of sports innovation.
With the launch of PSG Labs, Paris Saint-Germain is poised to revolutionize the sports industry, creating a vibrant ecosystem for startups while solidifying its position as a leader in sports innovation.
