PolarCool: Increasing performance and recovery in football

PolarCool

PolarCool is a company that provides advanced cooling solutions to treat concussion for a wide range of industries – first established in 2010 and based in Lund, Sweden

The PolarCap is PolarCool’s flagship product, a personal cooling system that uses evaporative cooling technology to provide instant relief from heat stress. The PolarCap is a headband that can be worn in a variety of environments, including sporting events, outdoor activities, workplaces, and construction sites.

PolarCool, in addition to the PolarCap, offers a variety of other cooling products such as cooling vests, cooling towels, and cooling fans. These products make use of cutting-edge cooling technologies to keep people cool and comfortable in hot environments.

Football is a sport that is known for its physicality and intensity – players are at a high risk of injury, including concussions. Concussions are a form of brain trauma that can have serious long-term effects if not treated properly. In recent years, there has been growing concern about the impact of concussions on athletes, and many organisations have been working to develop new strategies and technologies to help athletes recover from these injuries more quickly and effectively.

The PolarCap has been specifically designed for use in sports, and it is especially effective for football players. Football is a sport that requires a high level of physical endurance, and players are at risk of heat exhaustion and other forms of heat stress. In addition to its benefits for brain trauma recovery, the PolarCap also has a number of other potential applications in sports. For example, it can be used to prevent heat exhaustion and other forms of heat stress in athletes.

There is a growing body of research that supports the use of cooling therapy for the treatment of concussions. One study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that cooling therapy can reduce inflammation and improve neurological outcomes in rats with traumatic brain injury. Another study published in the Journal of Athletic Training found that cooling therapy can reduce the risk of second-impact syndrome, a rare but potentially deadly condition that can occur when an athlete returns to play too soon after a concussion.

Due to the positive results shown in the study, the Swedish Ice Hockey League (SHL) has formed a partnership with PolarCool, which ensures that a PolarCap is available at every arena in order to treat concussions.

PolarCool has most recently made waves in football by forming a partnership with the Football Association of Wales (FAW) along with various rugby clubs which include Racing 92, Stade Francais, London Irish, and Scarlets Rugby.

But the benefits of the PolarCap go beyond just preventing heat exhaustion. For athletes who have experienced brain trauma, the PolarCap can be an incredibly valuable tool in the recovery process. By reducing inflammation and promoting healing in the brain, the PolarCap can help athletes recover more quickly and effectively from concussions and other forms of brain trauma.

During one of Wales’ World Cup group matches, a Welsh player suffered a concussion after a speculative shot was blocked with the top of their head.

The player was subsequently treated using PolarCap thanks to the ongoing partnership between the FAW and PolarCool.

After Wales ran on-pitch tests, adhering to FIFA’s guidelines, the player was initially passed to play on before being subbed off 12 minutes later.

The player was then treated with PolarCap for the recommended time of 45 minutes to help reduce his elevated brain temperature and therefore relieve symptoms and potential long-term effects.

This partnership for PolarCool is another progressive step towards improved treatment of concussion incidents in football, an area of the game that has been under heavy scrutiny in recent years.

Aside from the health benefits of using PolarCap for players recovering from a concussion, professional clubs, and organisations can benefit financially from adopting PolarCap.

PolarCool conducted additional research based on the Lund University study’s 5-year clinical results to demonstrate the cost of concussion for sports teams and the financial benefits of using PolarCap.

According to the research, investing in PolarCap is cost-effective because it drastically reduces the injury sunk cost for teams and organisations. The annual injury cost savings for an SHL team were around $51,000.  The average savings for an English Premier League club were calculated to be approximately $257,000

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Borussia Dortmund & Vodafone launch ‘Fan Mode’ to keep supporter attention on the pitch

Borussia Dortmund have launched ‘Fan Mode’, a new initiative aimed to incentivise supporters to put their phones away and live in the moment while supporting their side at home matches.

Dortmund have paired with club sponsor Vodafone, with the program in use from Saturday’s 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Under the initiative, fans can activate ‘Fan Mode’ within the Borussia Dortmund app – in a manner similar to flight mode – before locking their phone as the action kicks off. From there, time spent inactive on their phone during play equates to points, which in turn sees fans in the running for prizes – including autographed jerseys and fan shop gift cards.

‘With Vodaphone, we have a partner who not only understands what technology is capable of, but also when it should take a back seat,’ said Dortmund CEO Carsten Cramer.

‘Here, a global technology company is specifically using its innovative strength to protect the experience that no technology can replace.

‘Fan Mode sends a powerful message. Over 81,000 people in the stadium, singing, cheering, and holding their breath together: this here and now is irreplaceable.’

The move comes following a 2023 survey conducted by Vodafone themselves, which showed 63 percent of general football fans regularly use their smartphones during matches but simultaneously, listed an increase in social media, selfies and streaming at the football as an annoyance.

‘Anyone at a soccer game should experience the moment and the emotions – not just a cell phone screen,’ said Marcel de Groot, CEO of Vodafone Germany.

‘Let’s leave our smartphones in our pockets more often at the stadium and instead focus on what’s happening on the field and in the stands.’

Partaking in the initiative is completely voluntary, as is the claiming of any points or prizes.

Dortmund, managed by Niko Kovac and currently second on the Bundesliga table, led the Bundesliga’s average attendance for season 2025/26 with just under 80,000.

Their ‘Yellow Wall’ – the supporters in the Südtribüne, or South End of Westfalenstadion (known commercially as Signal Iduna Park) – are widely considered among one of the iconic sights of global football fandom.

A-Leagues partners with Champion Data to enhance broadcast experience

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has appointed Champion Data as its official broadcast graphics partner in a three-season agreement designed to enhance coverage of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Ninja A-League Women. The partnership will introduce Champion Data’s live graphics technology across broadcasts on Network 10 and Paramount+, delivering real-time statistics, scores and visual insights to help fans follow the action.

Champion Data will use its proprietary GGi platform to connect match data with broadcast graphics and production workflows. The system will support the delivery of clear, engaging information throughout matches, giving viewers greater insight into key moments and performances. The agreement also strengthens the APL’s commitment to improving the broadcast presentation of women’s football. Champion Data will bring the Ninja A-League Women’s production standards into alignment with the men’s competition, supporting a more consistent viewing experience across both leagues.

The APL expects the partnership to enrich its broadcast offering as audiences seek deeper insights and more engaging ways to follow Australian football. The new graphics package will help viewers understand match developments, track statistics and connect with the stories unfolding on the pitch. Champion Data will manage technical delivery, train broadcast operators and provide live matchday support throughout the agreement. This end-to-end approach will help production teams deliver accurate information and consistent graphics across both competitions.

The partnership builds on Champion Data’s experience in sports data collection, analytics and broadcast technology. They currently provide statistics for the AFL, V8 Supercars and Tennis Australia alongside many others. By integrating live match information with on-screen graphics, the company will help bring the tactical detail and drama of A-Leagues football to television and streaming audiences.

As the APL continues to develop its broadcast product across television and digital platforms. The partnership positions Champion Data as a key technology provider for the next three seasons. The collaboration will combine data expertise and broadcast innovation to improve how fans experience Australian football, bringing greater clarity, context and insight to every match.

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