Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Provincial Sports Council have announced the 2026 Gyeonggi Sports Industry Competition, an open call designed to identify innovative technologies and products that can be applied in the sports industry. The program is held ahead of the 2027 National Sports Festival in Hwaseong and seeks to move beyond simple idea proposals by discovering implemented or demonstrable solutions and expanding connections with the sports industry.
Competition Overview
• Organizers: Gyeonggi Province and Gyeonggi Provincial Sports Council
• Competition name: 2026 Gyeonggi Sports Industry Competition
• Strategic context: Designed ahead of the 2027 National Sports Festival in Hwaseong
• Objective: Discover innovative technologies and products for sports industry application, beyond simple idea proposals, and expand engagement with the sports industry
• Eligibility: Open to all citizens of the Republic of Korea, including companies, startups, research institutes, prospective entrepreneurs, and university or graduate school research teams
• Planned focus: Identify promising technologies and products that are already developed or in development and explore new growth possibilities for the sports industry
Eligible Technologies and Products
• Scope: Innovative technologies and products applicable to the sports industry, including app and web services and sports goods
• Development stage: Completed products, demos or prototypes that can verify core functions and implementation feasibility, and already released products with enhanced functionality or performance compared to existing products
• Cross-industry applications: Technologies already held or under development may be entered if they can be applied to sports industry settings such as competition, training, event operations, viewing, and safety, even if they were not originally sports-specific
• Relevant fields: Technologies and products developed in AI, data, ICT, content, safety, eco-friendly, and other industries may propose sports industry applications
Competition Categories
• Performance enhancement technology: AI-based match analysis, wearables, smart training, injury prevention and rehabilitation, nutrition, advanced materials, and other sports goods
• Event operation and management technology: Smart systems, automated match recording and adjudication, and athlete management
• Viewing, broadcasting, and content technology: Immersive broadcasting, cheering platforms, data visualization, and stadium smart services that improve the sports viewing experience
• Safety and facility management technology: Stadium safety management, emergency response, and facility monitoring
• Eco-friendly and convenience technology: Eco-friendly event operations, transportation route guidance, and convenience services for people with disabilities and older adults
Application and Evaluation
• Submission period: Monday, September 14 to Friday, October 30, closing at 09:00 GMT (18:00 KST (UTC+9)
• How to apply: Submit a proposal and materials related to the technology or product through the official competition website
• Evaluation advantage: Additional points are granted during evaluation if the applicant holds a patent or utility model related to the entered technology or product
Awards
• Total awards: 7 teams, with a total prize pool of KRW 30 million
• Grand prize: 1 team, KRW 10 million
• Best prize: 1 team, KRW 7 million
• Excellence prize: 1 team, KRW 5 million
• Encouragement prize: 4 teams, KRW 2 million each
Organizer Information and Contact
• Official website: https://ggsports.spectory.net/innovation
• Contact: 2026 Gyeonggi Sports Industry Competition operating office, Senior staff Suyeon Kim, 02-6953-1510, email contact available through the operating office
• About the organizer: The Gyeonggi Provincial Sports Council was established in 1950 and works to improve health, physical fitness, leisure use, and welfare for Gyeonggi residents, protect athletes' human rights and interests, and train outstanding athletes who can represent the Republic of Korea. It continues efforts to achieve excellent results at domestic and international competitions and to help residents enjoy a happy life through sports.
The 2026 Gyeonggi Sports Industry Competition provides a structured opportunity for developers, companies, and research teams to connect their technologies with the sports sector ahead of the 2027 National Sports Festival. With five technology categories, a KRW 30 million prize pool, and evaluation benefits for patent holders, the program is positioned to surface practical innovations and support new growth in the sports industry.