SPORTSDAQ, India’s first sports business exchange, has announced a strategic partnership with the Global Sports Innovation Center (GSIC) powered by Microsoft to connect India’s rapidly expanding sports ecosystem with an international network of sports organisations, technology companies, startups, investors, universities and public institutions.
As SPORTSDAQ’s Global Sports Innovation Partner, GSIC powered by Microsoft will support the international development of the event by bringing global expertise, leading organisations, investors, innovators and strategic partners to Ahmedabad.
SPORTSDAQ 2026 will serve as the first major platform for this collaboration, an event bringing together stakeholders from India and across GSIC’s global ecosystem to exchange knowledge, explore opportunities and establish long-term partnerships.
The partnership brings to India GSIC’s global innovation ecosystem, connecting sports organisations, technology companies, startups, investors, universities and public institutions across international markets. Through this collaboration, GSIC will facilitate ecosystem connections, support the validation and testing of innovative solutions, promote business development and strategic partnerships, and provide access to international expertise, knowledge and global best practices.
The collaboration brings to India, at a defining moment in the nation’s sporting journey, a leading global association that drives innovation in sports and builds one of the strongest international ecosystems in the sector.
Scheduled to be held over three days in Ahmedabad from 26-28 November 2026, SPORTSDAQ will bring together global leaders from sport, technology, infrastructure, investment, government, media and business to examine how India can build the world’s next great sporting ecosystem.
The high-profile conference and expo are being organised by Exhibetter and Round3 at a pivotal moment in India’s sporting evolution. As Ahmedabad prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and India advances its ambitions to host the 2036 Olympic Games and 2038 Asian Games, the nation is entering what many believe will be the most significant decade in its sporting history. These ambitions are expected to drive unprecedented investment in sporting infrastructure, technology, innovation and human capital, positioning sport as a major pillar of India’s economic and social development.
The partnership with GSIC powered by Microsoft reflects the growing global recognition of India’s emergence as one of the world’s most exciting sports markets.
“India stands on the threshold of a transformational decade for sport,” said Yogesh Vyas, Chief Executive Officer, Exhibetter. “As the country prepares to deliver world-class sporting events and world-class infrastructure, technology will be at the heart of that transformation. We are therefore delighted to welcome GSIC powered by Microsoft as our official Global Sports Innovation Partner. Their decision to enter India through SPORTSDAQ is a strong endorsement of both the conference and India’s growing importance in the global sports economy.”
“India is entering a defining decade for sport, with a unique opportunity to combine ambition, investment, innovation and international expertise. Through our partnership with SPORTSDAQ, GSIC powered by Microsoft wants to support this transformation by enabling knowledge exchange, strategic collaboration and new business opportunities between India and our global ecosystem. We also want to help Indian companies, startups and sports organisations showcase their capabilities internationally, access new partners and markets, and become active contributors to the future of the global sports industry. Our ambition is for this partnership to extend beyond the conference and create a lasting platform for collaboration between India and the global GSIC network”, mentioned Iris Córdoba, Managing Director of GSIC.
GSIC will contribute to the conference programme, facilitate high-level discussions, share international best practices and create opportunities for business development, investment, knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration. The programme will feature global perspectives on:
Ø Sports Technology and Digital Transformation
Ø Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics in Sport
Ø Fan Engagement and Monetisation
Ø Athlete Performance, High Performance Systems and Sports Science
Ø Sports Broadcasting, Media Innovation and Content Distribution
Its contribution will extend beyond the conference content to supporting connections between Indian stakeholders and relevant organisations across the GSIC global network.
The partnership will also facilitate the participation of internationally renowned executives, innovators, technology entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers who are shaping the future of sport across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.
SPORTSDAQ will bring together senior representatives from central and state governments, international sporting organisations, Olympic and Commonwealth stakeholders, venue operators, architects, infrastructure companies, technology firms, broadcasters, investors, sports federations, professional leagues, start-ups, universities and research institutions.
The partnership will also provide a platform to showcase Indian innovation, entrepreneurship and sports industry capabilities to international audiences, helping local companies and organisations connect with global partners, investors, clients and markets.
The event is expected to attract more than 1,000 delegates, including CXOs, policymakers, investors, innovators and decision-makers from across the global sports ecosystem.
While SPORTSDAQ 2026 will serve as an important starting point, both organisations intend the partnership to extend beyond the three-day event. The collaboration aims to create long-term connections between India’s sports ecosystem and the GSIC global network, identify opportunities for future programmes and partnerships, and support the continued internationalisation of Indian sports innovation.
Through this partnership, SPORTSDAQ and GSIC powered by Microsoft aim to establish an enduring platform for knowledge exchange, investment, strategic partnerships and international collaboration—connecting India’s sporting ambitions with the expertise, opportunities and innovation capabilities of the global sports ecosystem.
