Support for sport

The World Cup kicked off last week with 48 countries competing in Mexico, Canada and the USA for the coveted trophy. The ball used in this year’s tournament is a high-tech innovation that uses sensors and AI to collect data about the game and help referees make better decisions.

But it’s not the only way technology can make a difference in sport.

The FIT Sport Design Awards celebrate innovations and inventions that are helping to improve performance, safety and sustainability. This year’s winners include a wearable headset designed to spot the signs of concussion in athletes. The condition can be a significant risk in sports such as American football and many cases are not detected, with athletes continuing to play while they’re injured.

The SynTec device, created by the University of Houston, uses eye-tracking and brain activity monitoring to assess users and track recovery. Find out more

Also honoured in the 2026 awards is a performance suit for modern pentathlon athletes which can support them through the demands of all five disciplines. Designed by the Politecnico Di Milano, it uses compression, elasticity and ventilation to improve comfort and fight fatigue on land and in the water. It’s described as a “lightweight, second-skin structure optimised for transitions between water and land, ensuring fast drying, reduced resistance and consistent performance across all disciplines”. Find out more