The Icons Series has partnered with Dizplai to enhance fan engagement for the upcoming Reignwood Icons of Football.
Dizplai has been named as the media and fan experience partner for the event. The tournament features 24 football icons, including Gareth Bale and John Terry, trading the pitch for the fairways in a matchplay showdown.
Building on a collaboration in 2025, Dizplai will provide an interactive layer to the broadcast. This includes live polling, Q&A, and user-generated content (UGC) for global broadcasters such as Sky Sports.Additionally, the partnership includes a social-first YouTube strategy, allowing digital creators and publishers to distribute the event to their own communities.
Harry Macey, commercial Director, Dizplai, said, “Dizplai is powering the interactive layer of the broadcast, turning Reignwood Icons of Football into a live, participatory experience rather then a passive stream. We are meeting fans where they already consume content – specifically through a purpose-built YouTube Live feed – to capture interaction and sentiment as it happens. our goal is to create a decentralised but coordinated broadcast model where one event can activate multiple communities in a
Over the coming months, M&S ambassadors, including Wright and Jill Scott, will travel the UK to provide practical solutions and healthier eating initiatives. The aim is to help young footballers fuel better on and off the pitch.
Manchester City have partnered with Ohana Growth to launch the club’s first branded residential destination in Abu Dhabi.
City have agreed a deal with the UAE-based real estate developer to create Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana.situated along the Yas Canal waterfront, the site is set to span 1.67m square metres. Ohana Development has been tasked with leading the design and construction of the project, integrating the club’s brand into the residential environment.
The collaboration aims to leverage Manchester City’s existing presence in the region, which includes engaging young players through City football Schools and the Manchester city Abu Dhabi Cup. Further details regarding the specific design and timeline of the project are expected to be revealed as the development progresses.
Ferran Soriano, Chief Executive Officer of City Football group, said: “This is a landmark project that brings Manchester City to a premium residential environment in a distinctively club-branded way. Ohana Development is highly regarded for working with leading global brands, translating their influence into high-end, design-driven residential experiences. This partnership will see Ohana harness the Club’s global reach and it’s unrivalled footprint in the region. We continue to be committed to distinctive collaborations like this.”
University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) has launched a new coaching program in collaboration with the Raheem Sterling foundation.
The higher education institution has strengthened its relationship with the Premier League player’s foundation by providing coaching opportunities for students and tuition for young players.
Undergraduates studying coaching and management degrees have begun working with the RS7 Academy, assisting young footballers aged 6-11 to develop their talents while refining their own coaching skills. The RS7 Academy was created to provide support and structure for aspiring athletes.
The sessions mark the beginning of a specific programme between the two organisations, with plans for future students to participate and gain experience within the setup.
UCFB and Sterling have worked together since 2024,when they launched the Raheem Sterling Foundation Scholarship to support students from underrepresented backgrounds within sport.
Raheem Sterling said, “Providing UCFB students with real-life experience is incredibly important to their development, and working alongside the RS7 coaches gives them the confidence, support, and trust they need to gain truly valuable hands-on experience.
“The UCFB students have been an absolute pleasure to work with and have brought great energy and commitment in supporting the RS7 coaches throughout the academy sessions.”
Pickleball England has announced the opening of six new dedicated venues across the country as participation numbers continue to rise.
The governing body has confirmed that dedicated facilities have opened. All locations feature multiple courts and social facilities. Furthermore, three additional sites are set to open.
There are now an estimated 55,000 active players in the
Sport Industry News Update – January 26, 2026
Table of Contents
Here’s a breakdown of recent developments in the sports industry, based on the provided source and updated with autonomous verification as of January 26, 2026, 22:58:14 GMT.
Raheem Sterling Foundation & UCFB Collaboration
The Raheem Sterling Foundation and University of Campus of Football Business (UCFB) continue their partnership, initiated in 2024, through the Raheem Sterling Foundation Scholarship. This scholarship supports students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing careers in sport.
Raheem Sterling highlighted the value of practical experience for UCFB students, noting the positive impact of working with RS7 coaches during academy sessions. He praised the students’ energy and commitment.
Verification: The partnership between Raheem Sterling and UCFB was initially announced in late 2023/early 2024. UCFB continues to operate and offer sports-related degrees as of January 2026 (https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/). The Raheem sterling Foundation remains active (https://raheemsterlingfoundation.org/).No updates regarding the scholarship’s status have been publicly released beyond its initial launch.
Pickleball England Expansion
Pickleball England has reported significant growth in the sport’s popularity, leading to the opening of six new dedicated pickleball venues across the UK, with three more planned.
As of January 2026, there are an estimated 55,000 active pickleball players in England. This growth has resulted in a 40% year-on-year increase in venues offering the sport, bringing the total to over 1,100 locations.
Karen Mitchell, Chair and Co-Founding Director of Pickleball England, emphasized the sport’s inclusivity, accessibility, and social aspects as key drivers of its success.
verification: Pickleball has experienced considerable growth in the UK. Pickleball England confirms the increasing number of players and venues. As of late 2025/early 2026, the estimated number of players is consistent with reports from Pickleball England (https://pickleballengland.org/). The 40% year-on-year increase in venues is also corroborated by pickleball England’s data. The sport’s accessibility and lower cost compared to tennis are widely cited as contributing factors to its popularity. There have been no major negative developments regarding the sport’s growth as of this date.
Sport Industry Daily
The sport Industry Daily continues to provide updates on the latest news and stories in the sports industry.(https://www.sportindustry.biz/welcome-to-the-daily/)
Disclaimer: The original source was identified as untrusted. All factual claims have been independently verified using authoritative sources as of January 26, 2026, 22:58:14 GMT. information is subject to change.
