Tottenham Hotspur Launches Venture Platform Among Latest Sports Partnerships

Tottenham Hotspur has launched Hotspur Labs in partnership with The Players Fund, becoming the first Premier League club to establish a dedicated venture platform of its kind to secure early access to commercial partners and diversify revenue streams, according to club announcements.

The initiative targets businesses ranging from Series A to Series C that have already proven their operating models and gained backing from established investors, according to Tottenham Hotspur.

Hotspur Labs will look beyond traditional sports technology into fields such as sustainability, mobility, workplace culture, commerce, fan experiences, and travel, as outlined by the club. Participating businesses will trade equity and co-development pledges in return for entry to Tottenham’s commercial network, which features its global fanbase, digital platforms, and stadium.

“Hotspur Labs is the next step on our journey to identifying more innovative ways to refine and diversify our revenue streams,” said Ryan Norys, Chief Revenue Officer at Tottenham Hotspur, in a statement. “By backing ambitious businesses early, we can help them reach new audiences while building meaningful partnerships with brands that share our culture and values.”

The Players Fund is simultaneously launching TPF Labs to build venture and innovation infrastructure for sports rights-holders, with its team assessing applicants against Tottenham’s strategic priorities before presenting a shortlist to the club. Andy Marston, Managing Director of TPF Labs at The Players Fund, noted that the model aims to turn backed businesses into headline club partners in future years. Hotspur Labs will officially debut at an event hosted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for founders, venture capital figures, and angel investors.

Charlton Athletic Secures Surfshark Partnership

Charlton Athletic has signed a partnership agreement with cybersecurity company Surfshark for the 2026/27 season, making the firm the Championship club’s VPN partner.

Surfshark will utilize Charlton’s digital channels throughout the campaign to promote its online privacy and security products to supporters worldwide, according to the club. The collaboration involves content and fan activations designed to leverage the club’s international audience to increase brand awareness. Charlton supporters will also receive a commercial offer granting an additional four months on top of a discounted Surfshark subscription.

“We’re delighted to welcome Surfshark to the Charlton family and to partner with a truly global brand that shares our ambition to connect with fans wherever they are in the world,” said Ella Ellis, Commercial Manager at Charlton Athletic.

Volleyball England Expands SportLoMo Partnership

Volleyball England has extended its partnership with SportLoMo for a further five years to upgrade digital infrastructure across the sport.

Since 2023, SportLoMo has supplied technology for membership, club, and competition management. Under the expanded agreement, clubs, leagues, counties, and regions across England will gain platform access without annual license, subscription, or implementation costs, according to Volleyball England. The partnership also introduces a Volleyball England-branded mobile application called VolleyZone while cutting payment processing charges and linking membership and competitions.

“For me, the biggest opportunity is connectivity,” said Charlie Ford, Chief Executive of Volleyball England. “We want our clubs, leagues, counties and regions to have access to modern technology that makes running and participating in volleyball easier, without significant upfront costs or unnecessary barriers.”

London Marathon Foundation Commits £2.4m to Access Sport

The London Marathon Foundation has pledged up to £2.4m over the next five years to Access Sport to expand community basketball and cycling programs across the United Kingdom.

The renewed funding builds on more than £2.3m invested by the foundation since 2018 and targets more than 22,500 participants by 2031. Across Scotland, London, and Manchester, the project plans to upgrade eight basketball and cycling venues, back 40 basketball outfits along with 300 cycling societies, and prepare 1,350 youth mentors, helpers, and instructors. Alongside Basketball England and Brent Council, the unveiling aligns with the reopening of a refreshed basketball facility situated at London’s Gibbons Recreation Ground.

“Over the next five years we will scale up our cycling and basketball programmes to positively impact more young people than ever before, create sustainable change in communities, and drive forward our efforts to make our sport system more equitable,” said Helen Rowbotham, CEO of Access Sport.