Oracle set to transform Premier League analytics

The Premier League has chosen Oracle to be their official cloud provider, featuring groundbreaking match statistics for live broadcasts.

The Premier League has chosen Oracle to be their official cloud provider, featuring groundbreaking match statistics for live broadcasts beginning from the 2021/22 season.

The collaboration will create greater excitement for every game of the world’s most watched league. With brand new in-match statistics shown during all Premier League matches, this will unlock a greater understanding about what is happening on the pitch.

Oracle’s data and analytics, combined with their machine learning technologies will deliver powerful statistics in real-time to billions of viewers around the world each season. “Match Insights – Powered by Oracle Cloud” will display advanced player performance data for a global broadcast coverage, as well as the Premier League’s social media channels, which will be introduced from the 2021/22 season.

Machine learning models will be designed to generate immediate results related to data streams and real-time tracking data. The scope of this technology allows the collection of facts on each player in the Premier League, coupled with information from thousands of matches in the past.

Research has found how fans are interested in the integration of match data and analysis, with Oracle’s insights able to help tell more stories about Premier League matches, giving fans a data-rich experience. Match information will be available instantly as they need it, whether they are watching from home or at the ground on their mobile phones.

“We are always looking at new ways to bring the Premier League to life and enhance the analysis of the competition. Oracle is a global brand with a great track record of driving innovation, and we look forward to working together to bring new levels of engagement to fans around the world,” Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said.

“Match Insights – Powered by Oracle Cloud” are set to roll out with three different categories that all have their unique values in finding out more about what goes on during a game.

Average Formation – The positions of all players are tracked for when their team is with or without possession. The model can identify differences in how teams organise themselves and ways they structure their line up during attacking and defending phases. Throughout a match, fans will see how teams respond to an opposition’s tactics, giving a glimpse about the strategies utilised in different styles of play by leading coaches.

Live Win Probability – Presents as a statistic that delves deeper into a team’s performance by calculating the chance of a team going on to secure a win or draw – this is done by simulating the remainder of the match 100,000 times to achieve the best possible accuracy in predictions. The model has been built around four years of match data and assesses a range of factors such as if a team is home or away, the current score, penalties awarded, players on the pitch, red cards and time left in the match.

Momentum Tracker – This measures the likelihood of a team that is in possession to score a goal within the next 10 seconds. The results that are uncovered are based on data from thousands of historical games, as well as the last five events in the current possession (how a team is building up play). The model summarises the outcomes of passes, dribbles in possession, tackles and locations on the pitch where those instances take place.

“Combining Oracle’s machine learning expertise with the Premier League’s wealth of football data is a significant merger of technology and sport,” Ariel Kelman said, Oracle executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

“The margins for error in the Premier League are very small, so the data is crucial to discovering the meaningful moments and stories of each match. It’s those stories that unite fans and ignite their passions for the game.”

More Match Insights are expected to be added throughout the 2021/22 Premier League season and beyond, as the upcoming campaign is scheduled to start on August 14, 2021.

You can find out more about Oracle’s Cloud Infrastructure and Applications here.

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A Cut Above: CBUS Super Stadium and Husqvarna Lead Australia’s Turf Technology Revolution

CBUS Super Stadium has made history by becoming the first stadium in Australia to implement Husqvarna’s state-of-the-art robotic mowing technology, setting a new national benchmark for sustainable turf management.

The fully autonomous, battery-powered mowers represent a major step forward in the future of sports turf care, offering precision, consistency, and environmental benefits that far exceed traditional methods.

Designed to operate quietly and efficiently, the system significantly reduces both fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 83% while maintaining the venue’s pristine playing surface to the highest standards.

This innovation positions CBUS Super Stadium alongside some of the world’s most iconic sporting venues, including Liverpool FC’s AXA Training Centre, which has integrated Husqvarna’s robotic technology throughout its non-pitch areas to help maintain elite-level turf quality year-round.

How Robotic Technology Is Transforming Pitch Performance

Pauline Nilsson, Vice President of Sales and Service, Husqvarna Forest and Garden and Pacific Region spoke in detail about the future of turf management with this mower and the environmental benefits of implementing this technology.

Nilsson explained how both the noise and environmental impact play a part in the technology’s beauty.

“The environmental benefits of Husqvarna’s robotic mowing solutions represent a significant advancement for Australian sporting venues. Our commercial robotic mowers produce no direct fumes or CO₂ emissions during operation, which is increasingly important as sporting organisations work toward sustainability targets,” she said to Soccerscene.

“Traditional ride-on mowers consume considerable fuel and require regular refuelling and maintenance. Our robotic mowers are lightweight and battery-driven, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to conventional ride-on mowers.

“Beyond direct environmental benefits, the technology is virtually silent, eliminating noise disturbance from traditional landscaping. This allows grounds teams to maintain pitch quality around the clock without disrupting nearby residential areas or training sessions,” she continued.

When asked about how this technology directly affects the fan and player experience at football games, Nilsson explained how important the robotic technology was for a professional sporting environment because of its consistency.

“The technology fundamentally transforms pitch maintenance through precision and consistency. Our robotic mowers use razor-sharp blades that cut almost like scissors, and continuous mowing is crucial for maintaining a healthy pitch,” Nilsson explained.

“Our robotic mowers cut turf daily and automatically recycle the clippings as natural fertiliser, operating rain or shine to ensure fields are always game-day ready.”

For players, this technology delivers several critical advantages:

Safe, consistent playing surfaces – turf is mowed at a consistent height, even in adverse weather conditions, creating an improved playing surface. Important for sports fields where surface consistency affects game play, athlete performance and injury risk.

Improved quality of turf, with denser, healthier grass – the pitch withstands heavy use and recovers more quickly.

Reduced surface compaction – the lightweight mowers cut down on soil compaction that normal mowers create, delivering outstanding cut quality, resulting in better drainage and healthier grass.

Global Success, Big Ambitions for Australian Football

Husqvarna have sizeable ambitions to expand in the Australian sports stadiums market after this CBUS Super Stadium deal, and Nilsson highlighted that their recent partnerships in Europe and the US have ‘proven’ the efficiency of the technology to eventually implement down under.

“Beyond Europe, the technology has proven successful at prestigious venues worldwide. Atlanta Athletic Club utilises both our Automower® and CEORA® systems to maintain their golf course. These are world-class facilities with exacting standards, demonstrating that this technology delivers at the highest level,” Nilsson said.

“Since launching Husqvarna CEORA® in 2021, we’ve experienced double-digit growth in professional robotic lawnmowers annually, and we’re bringing that proven technology and expertise to the Australian market.”

For Australian football venues specifically, the technology addresses several critical challenges:

Climate adaptability – the robotic mowers operate effectively in various weather conditions, crucial for Australia’s diverse climate zones.

Labour efficiency – addressing ongoing skilled groundskeeper shortages by automating routine maintenance.

Sustainability commitments – helping venues meet environmental targets without compromising quality.

Operational cost management – significantly reducing fuel consumption and maintenance expenses.

 

2032 and Beyond: A Strategic Play for Australian Football

“With the 2032 Olympics approaching and increased focus on football development across Australia, we see significant opportunities across A-League venues, National Premier League grounds, and regional sporting facilities,” she continued.

“We’re in active discussions with several venues, but we’re focused on building genuine partnerships rather than simply deploying equipment. Our goal is to help Australian sporting venues understand that this technology delivers measurable benefits in pitch quality, operational efficiency, and environmental performance backed by proven success at prestigious venues worldwide.”

For CBUS Super Stadium, this move underscores a commitment to sustainability, operational excellence, and player safety which ensures the Gold Coast venue continues to deliver world-class conditions as it attracts a growing list of national and international events.

Game-Changer: FQ Taps Into AI With StepOut to Revolutionise Performance Analysis

In an announcement made yesterday, Football Queensland revealed that it will partner with StepOut, an AI-driven performance analysis platform. The collaboration aims to boost player development and make talent identification more accessible to coaches.

An innovative training tool

By establishing a partnership with an innovative performance and analysis platform like StepOut, Football Queensland is ensuring that current and future players receive cutting-edge training tools to maximise their development.

With data-driven decision making capabilities, StepOut will also empower coaches to identify where individuals – and the team – can improve to elevate their game.

“Football Queensland is delighted to welcome StepOut as a partner as we continue enhancing access to leading technology to deliver significant benefits to clubs and players alike,” said FQ CEO, Robert Cavallucci.

“The partnership will provide a major boost to player development through the rollout of StepOut’s in-depth football data and video analysis technology in the statewide FQ Academy Program, supporting the long-term development of the state’s most talented footballers.”

It is clear, therefore, that a partnership of this nature has been crafted with real intention. Furthermore, as StepOut is implemented into clubs across Queensland, players can begin to pursue their footballing ambitions in the knowledge that their development is backed by progressive and innovative technology.

 

What is StepOut?

StepOut is an AI-driven platform which helps clubs, coaches and players with performance analysis. It uses videos and data to reveal detailed insights into individual and team performance.

The platform’s alliance with Football Queensland is a reflection of both parties’ commitment to providing players with the same performance technology as those used by the world’s most successful outfits.

“We’re excited to help create a system where talent across Queensland is consistently recognised and developed, empowering players and coaches with the same performance technology used by leading clubs such as Real Madrid and Ajax,” explained Founder & CEO of StepOut, Sayak Ghosh.

A game in constant motion

As anyone who has played (or been involved in) the game will know, football is a sport which requires constant movement.

Whether you are dribbling with ball at your feet looking to make a defence-splitting pass into the opposition half, or running in behind into space, you don’t have the time to stand still.

The same applies to the industry as a whole.

If we are to begin building towards a more sustainable, inclusive and innovative future, then we must be open to moving. That is, moving forward with the latest technology, trends and methods in the game, embodied by cutting-edge platforms like StepOut.

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