Qatar Sports Investments highlights latest innovations and technologies at Web Summit Qatar 2025
QSI's participation featured key portfolio companies, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Premier Padel, and SC Braga showcasing how technology is transforming fan engagement, performance analytics, and global outreach.
A major highlight was the launch of PSG Labs, a pioneering global initiative designed to drive technological innovation in sports, fan experience, and performance. PSG Labs will act as the French club's dedicated innovation hub, supporting high-potential startups, entrepreneurs, and technology partners to develop industry-changing solutions. As part of this initiative, PSG established its first international PSG Lab in Doha, reinforcing QSI's commitment to advancing the sports industry, particularly in the Middle East.
Two PSG officials participated in summit panels. Fabien Allègre, PSG's Chief Brand Officer, spoke on global brand expansion, detailing how the club has positioned itself as one of the top franchises in the sports industry while growing its global brand, while Jerry Newman, PSG's Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, joined a panel discussion on innovation in sports, offering insights into emerging technologies and strategies shaping the industry.
Allègre said: 'We are still the youngest football club among the big clubs, and we had the chance in 2011 when QSI took over to establish a clear vision of building one of the top franchises in the sports industry while also shaping PSG into a global brand. The takeover allowed us to think differently from the traditional voice of football and tap into culture to attract and retain new fans, especially the younger generation. That is what we are – we are the club of the new generation.'
Newman added: 'Most recently, courtesy of our partnership with beIN MEDIA GROUP, we are delighted to be the first football club to publish a live competitive match in Virtual Reality [VR] in the United States. This is the first time US fans can feel as though they are in the stadium without physically being there. It is much more than just watching a regular match; the atmosphere is incredible. Allowing fans to immerse themselves in a VR experience from different parts of the stadium is as close as you can get to being there.'
Beyond the panel discussions, QSI's booth featured interactive experiences, including the Premier Padel robot challenge, where attendees tested their skills against the world's first padel-playing robot. Guests also engaged with the Glambot and received personalised PSG, Premier Padel, or SC Braga RoboCards from an engraving robot – an exclusive Web Summit Qatar 2025 keepsake.
Additionally, QSI hosted the Premier Padel Pro Zone, where attendees joined professional coaches for padel sessions to refine their technique or discover the sport, appealing to both beginners and experienced players. The QSI booth meanwhile attracted high-profile visitors, including dignitaries, industry experts, and even some famous sports personalities such as footballers Gabriel Batistuta and Adlène Guedioura, and former NFL star Kelvin Beachum.
QSI also hosted a masterclass on blockchain, artificial intelligence, and decentralized identity in sports. Led by PSG's Head of PSG Labs and Web3, Pär Helgosson, alongside Petrix Barbosa, Founder and CEO of Matchain, the session explored how these technologies can enhance fan engagement, improve performance, and strengthen security in the sports industry.
About Qatar Sports Investments
Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) is a strategic, long-term private investment vehicle targeting established and early-stage sports assets. QSI adds value through hands-on, expert driven management, and innovative capital solutions. QSI was founded in 2004 and is one of the foremost groups in world sport, investing in and operating assets in the sports sector across the globe. QSI has established itself as a world-class sports investor and operator, notably through the transformative investment in and long-term ownership of Paris Saint-Germain; the formation of the world-leading professional padel circuit, Premier Padel; and investment in the Portuguese sports club, Sporting Clube de Braga, amongst several other investments. QSI's highly experienced leadership team and management across portfolio entities bring with them wide-ranging expertise, a long track record of commercial success, and operational excellence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dubai Eye
22 minutes ago
- Dubai Eye
Italian fashion house Valentino hires Riccardo Bellini as CEO
Italian fashion house Valentino has appointed industry veteran Riccardo Bellini as new chief executive, it said on Wednesday, adding he will take up the role at the start of September. Bellini, who has been working as managing director of leading Valentino investor Mayhoola, replaces Jacopo Venturini whose departure was announced last week. "I am honored to join Valentino, an iconic maison that blends extraordinary heritage and craftsmanship with a unique creative voice," Bellini said in a statement. Bellini previously served as CEO of luxury brands Maison Margiela and Chloé, and held business and marketing leadership roles at Diesel and Procter & Gamble. Valentino, founded in Rome in 1960 by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, is part-owned by French luxury conglomerate Kering which bought a 30% stake in the label from Qatari fund Mayhoola for 1.7 billion euros ($1.98 billion) in 2023, with a commitment to buy the rest by 2028. Last month, Mayhoola denied a newspaper report that the two shareholders were considering selling Valentino. Kering declined to comment at the time.
Dubai Eye
23 minutes ago
- Dubai Eye
Mbappe penalty earns Real 1-0 win over Osasuna
Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty earned Real Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Osasuna in their opening LaLiga game of the season on Tuesday, giving Xabi Alonso a winning start in his first league match in charge of the hosts. After struggling to break down a stubborn Osasuna defence in the opening half, Mbappe won the penalty and converted from the spot six minutes after the break to give Real the lead, but the home side were unable to increase their advantage. "In the first half we didn't have space and then in the second half we scored early," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV. "We had more chances and we had more control, we expected to score the second but it didn't come." The visitors had Abel Bretones sent off in added time for a foul off the ball on Gonzalo Garcia as Alonso's side got their league campaign off to a winning, but underwhelming start as they look to wrestle back the league title from Barcelona. Alonso's side, whose last competitive game ended in a 4-0 defeat to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals, completely dominated against a visiting side clearly content to sit back and perhaps come away with a draw, which they almost managed. Real enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 45 minutes with lots of slick passing, but their only real chances came through shots from distance, with Eder Militao's powerful strike forcing Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera into a decent save. All Osasuna's defensive work was undone shortly after the break when a foul by Juan Cruz on Mbappe was punished with a penalty, and Real's French forward stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way as the hosts finally found the net. The goal forced Osasuna out of their shell somewhat, while Real pushed to find a second goal to kill the game off, with Arda Guler unleashing a shot from outside the area which zipped just over the bar. Alonso, who started the game with three of the club's new signings -- Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras -- in his back four, then sent on 18-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono for his Real debut. Mastantuono almost made an immediate impact, with his effort from a wide angle saved by Herrera at his near post. Minutes earlier, Osasuna had their chance to snatch what would have been an undeserved equaliser but Ante Budimir headed over from inside the six-yard box. "It was important for us to start with a win at home, we knew it was going to be difficult," Mbappe said. "Osasuna had a clear plan to wait for us and they had Budimir. We are happy with the victory and we are going for more." With Barcelona beating Mallorca 3-0 in their opening game on Saturday, three points were already a must for Alonso, and he did it without the injured Jude Bellingham, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Endrick, as well as the suspended Antonio Ruediger.
ARN News Center
9 hours ago
- ARN News Center
Mbappe penalty earns Real 1-0 win over Osasuna
Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty earned Real Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Osasuna in their opening LaLiga game of the season on Tuesday, giving Xabi Alonso a winning start in his first league match in charge of the hosts. After struggling to break down a stubborn Osasuna defence in the opening half, Mbappe won the penalty and converted from the spot six minutes after the break to give Real the lead, but the home side were unable to increase their advantage. "In the first half we didn't have space and then in the second half we scored early," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV. "We had more chances and we had more control, we expected to score the second but it didn't come." The visitors had Abel Bretones sent off in added time for a foul off the ball on Gonzalo Garcia as Alonso's side got their league campaign off to a winning, but underwhelming start as they look to wrestle back the league title from Barcelona. Alonso's side, whose last competitive game ended in a 4-0 defeat to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals, completely dominated against a visiting side clearly content to sit back and perhaps come away with a draw, which they almost managed. Real enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 45 minutes with lots of slick passing, but their only real chances came through shots from distance, with Eder Militao's powerful strike forcing Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera into a decent save. All Osasuna's defensive work was undone shortly after the break when a foul by Juan Cruz on Mbappe was punished with a penalty, and Real's French forward stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way as the hosts finally found the net. The goal forced Osasuna out of their shell somewhat, while Real pushed to find a second goal to kill the game off, with Arda Guler unleashing a shot from outside the area which zipped just over the bar. Alonso, who started the game with three of the club's new signings -- Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras -- in his back four, then sent on 18-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono for his Real debut. Mastantuono almost made an immediate impact, with his effort from a wide angle saved by Herrera at his near post. Minutes earlier, Osasuna had their chance to snatch what would have been an undeserved equaliser but Ante Budimir headed over from inside the six-yard box. "It was important for us to start with a win at home, we knew it was going to be difficult," Mbappe said. "Osasuna had a clear plan to wait for us and they had Budimir. We are happy with the victory and we are going for more." With Barcelona beating Mallorca 3-0 in their opening game on Saturday, three points were already a must for Alonso, and he did it without the injured Jude Bellingham, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Endrick, as well as the suspended Antonio Ruediger.
