Lisbon Covid-19 spike won’t halt Champions League

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has stated that the Champions League will continue in Portugal as planned, despite a Covid-19 spike in Lisbon that could derail the elite club football competition.

Portugal was chosen as the destination to stage the conclusion of the Champions League in August, with the major competition having been postponed since March due to Covid-19.

However, from July 1st, a setback has seen 19 neighbourhoods north of Portugal’s host city Lisbon going back into lockdown, with gatherings limited to just five people.

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa held discussions with Čeferin, as well as Portuguese Football Federation (PFF) President Fernando Gomes via video call on June 30th before the mini-tournament gets underway in August.

“I would like to thank the Portuguese prime minister Antonio Costa for his dedication to this project and the work he is doing alongside the Portuguese Football Federation to ensure that Portugal delivers a successful tournament,” Čeferin said in a statement.

“I am confident that with the continued and constant collaboration between all stakeholders, we will conclude the season in a positive way in Lisbon. There is no need for a ‘Plan B’.”

At this stage, the Champions League restart will take place as planned on the following dates, as single-leg knockout ties will decide this year’s winner:

August 7-8: Round of 16 second legs
August 12-15: Quarter-finals (Lisbon)
August 18-19: Semi-finals (Lisbon)
August 23: Final (Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Lisbon)

Champions League ties from the quarter-finals onwards will be split between Benfica’s Stadium of Light and Sporting Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade.

The final-eight part of the tournament will begin from August 12, with some fixtures still to be decided. Half of the round of 16 ties have been completed – Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, RB Leipzig and Atalanta made it through to the quarter-finals.

The round of 16 second legs yet to be played are Juventus vs Lyon (0-1), Manchester City vs Real Madrid (2-1), Bayern vs Chelsea (3-0) and Barcelona vs Napoli (1-1). Venues for the remaining Round of 16 contests have not been confirmed yet.

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Australia’s Urban Sporting Landscape changing with smart surfaces

At the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC25) innovations in synthetic, natural, acrylic, and hybrid sports surfaces will be central in response to tackling pressing environmental and health concerns.

The convention is set to kick off on June 25-26, 2025 at Melbourne’s Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The event is dedicated to Sports Surfaces and it highlights it will showcase how cutting-edge surface technologies are revolutionising public spaces, creating durable, safe, inclusive and sustainable environments that get communities moving.

Some innovations on show include Polytan, which has unveiled eco-friendly long pile turf solutions engineered for intensive use whilst slashing environmental impact through sugar cane-based polymers rather than traditional petroleum derivatives.

Hybrid systems such as POWERgrass’s approach combine natural grass with synthetic reinforcement, delivering enhanced traction, comfort, and can withstand up to 30 hours of weekly play.

Meanwhile, acrylic surfaces versatility allows multiple sports to share the same surface with exceptional durability, making them perfect for pocket parks.

Despite their advantages, synthetic surfaces face scrutiny over environmental and health implications, particularly concerning microplastics and heat retention.

The NSW Chief Scientist’s comprehensive report identified critical knowledge gaps, sparking industry-wide moves toward alternative materials.

Martin Sheppard, Managing Director of Smart Connection Consultancy and author of the ‘Smart Guide to Synthetic Sports Fields,’ emphasises the importance of evidence-based decision making.

“These surfaces will address common perceptions and challenges associated with synthetic surfaces, providing evidence-based insights into player safety, environmental impacts, and surface playability,” Sheppard explained via National Sports and physical activity convention media release.

NSC25’s keynote presentation, ‘Designing Active Urban Places,’ will explore comprehensive strategies for future-proofing cities to promote healthy, active lifestyles.

The session features Kristen Clark from the Heart Foundation, who will unveil the fourth edition of the ‘Blueprint for an Active Australia,’ alongside Professor John Cairney from the University of Queensland, discussing movement-friendly urban design principles.

The convention’s PitchFEST session will showcase practical innovations including acrylic pocket parks, multi-sport surface designs and environmentally conscious long pile turf solutions.

These initiatives address a concerning reality: only 17 per cent of Australian youth currently meet recommended physical activity guidelines.

The focus on creating opportunities for youth recreation and unstructured play reflects growing recognition that accessible, well-designed sporting infrastructure plays a crucial role in community health outcomes.

Through collaboration between government agencies, industry leaders and community stakeholders Australia is becoming a world leader in building healthier, more active communities whilst maintaining environmental stewardship.

As urban density continues to reshape our cities, these surface innovations offer hope that every Australian can access quality sporting facilities, regardless of where they call home.

AI and Tech Transforming Australian Community Sport

Community sport across Australia is undergoing rapid change, driven by artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and emerging technologies.

These innovations are changing the way community and school sports operate, connect with people, and foster more inclusive, efficient, and vibrant sporting environments nationwide.

Martin Sheppard, CEO of the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention, highlighted the magnitude of this change.

“We’re witnessing a game-changing moment where technology is not just supporting sport – it’s redefining it. From grassroots to schools, digital solutions are enabling smarter operations, deeper engagement, and more inclusive environments. At this year’s Convention, we’re bringing together the pioneers of this transformation to ensure every club, school, and community can benefit,” he said via press release.

As outlined by the ASTN, the sports technology sector in Australia is now a well-established industry worth $4.69 billion, featuring over 765 active businesses.

This development shows a strong national push to utilise innovation to solve problems, boost efficiency, and grow opportunities across community sport.

At the forefront of this transformation is the AI, Digital & Sports Tech stream at the 2025 National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC), set for June 25-26 in Melbourne.

Highlighting innovations from AI-driven analytics to mobile apps and immersive virtual tools, this stream will explore how technology is reshaping community sport.

Griffith University researchers in Queensland, collaborating with VALD from Brisbane, developed a rapid test that identifies high ACL injury risk in athletes within 10 minutes, supporting coaches to implement personalised prevention.

NSC’s AI, Digital & Sports Tech stream will highlight visionary ideas and key figures shaping sport’s future.

The Impact Keynote session, ‘Embracing Technology to Impact Sport’, will feature Dawid Naude, CEO of Pathfindr.ai, and Andrew Walton, Managing Director of Sports Tech World Series, discussing how AI and machine learning empower clubs to optimise their operations and enrich member engagement.

Afterwards, the ‘Embracing AI to Be More Inclusive’ panel will consider how commercial technologies from around the world are being applied to grassroots levels, featuring insights from Martin Schlegel (ASTN), Yasmin London (Qoria), and Brent Richardson (Enrichd Group).

To learn more about the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention and the AI, Digital & Sports Tech stream, click here.

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