Technology has played a key role in the recent evolution of sports. From using Big Data analytics to optimise athlete performance, to assistance mechanisms that enable judges and referees to clarify controversies and minimise mistakes, technology is at the heart of sport in the digital age.
In the case of football, the world’s most popular sport with millions of fans, use cases have gone beyond VAR and can be found both on and off the pitch. Today, it is common for the world’s leading clubs to use tactical analysis platforms; AI to predict physical risks and prevent injuries; GPS devices and sensors to measure distance travelled, speed, heart rate, and physical load; among other cutting-edge technologies to help teams better compete.
With LaLiga as one of the most attractive football leagues globally and the largest football ecosystem in the world, it is common for major technology service providers worldwide to be interested in offering solutions in Spain, either with clubs or directly with the organisation.
On the other hand, the Spanish technology ecosystem is also playing a big role abroad for providing cutting-edge solutions that are impacting the spot.
The Maracanã, one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, was recently digitised with Spanish technology. The digital transformation of this football temple, inaugurated in 1950 and with a capacity to hold more than 78,000 spectators, has been led by Fracttal, a Madrid-based company specialising in intelligent maintenance solutions.
After two World Cup finals, a Pan American Games, legendary concerts, and thousands of matches, the stadium, officially called Estadio Jornalista Mário Filho, is committed to adopting a state-of-the-art technological infrastructure designed to ensure operational efficiency, sustainability, and compliance with international standards.
Spanish technology for smart maintenance
Like other major sports venues around the world, the complex faces challenges that prevent much more efficient management of the facilities, such as outdated infrastructure, manual processes and data loss.
Through a three-year agreement, the Spanish company will provide the sports venue with its comprehensive maintenance solution, Fracttal One. This agreement for the digitalisation of the Maracanã includes the installation of IoT devices; real-time asset monitoring; centralised maintenance management, from changing light bulbs to the stadium roof; generation of key indicators to optimise costs and anticipate failures; among other key integrations to ensure smarter management of the complex’s maintenance.
The process, according to the company, ensures the traceability of maintenance processes, guaranteeing that everything works as it should when it is most needed through different tools and corrective maintenance automations to quickly resolve incidents and avoid significant losses, as well as proprietary artificial intelligence developments for predictive maintenance.
“We are proud that Fracttal’s technology is part of maintaining a facility that is part of the world’s sporting heritage. We are not only modernising it, we are preparing it for the future,” said Christian Struve, CEO and co-founder of Fracttal.
The digital transformation of the Maracanã shows how technology adoption can have a transformative impact on one of the world’s most iconic stadiums. According to Fracttal, more than 100,000 assets have been registered on its platform, ranging from electrical and hydraulic systems, air conditioning, CCTV, signage, lighting, metal structures, access points, and architectural elements.
The digital transformation of sports venues is an urgent necessity in today’s world. This is where the expertise of specialized companies comes into play, helping administrations navigate this process.
“The sports and entertainment industry is quickly leveraging the new possibilities created by emerging technology and digital innovation, including deeper and more personalized connections with fans, connected venues providing seamless omnichannel experiences, and virtual engagement exporting the in-stadium magic to broader fan bases, said Martin Lewit, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Nisum, a global IT consultancy.
“Expertise in digital engineering, custom software development, data-led strategy and insights, and agile delivery are mandatory for these strategies to succeed,” added Lewit.
In addition to the implementation in the stadium, the digitisation agreement includes the entire Maracanã complex, which encompasses the Flamengo Regatta Club, the Maracanãzinho Gymnasium, the Júlio Delamare Water Park, and the Célio de Barros Athletics Stadium.
The agreement’s figures were not disclosed.
Working with an iconic stadium like the Macarena will undoubtedly put the Spanish company’s name in front of millions of eyes, as Fracttal’s animation will be projected on the stadium’s LED screens during all Brazilian Championship matches in 2025, 2026, and 2027, ensuring brand visibility in front of millions of viewers in Brazil and around the world.
