UEFA has launched the fourth edition of its Champions Innovate programme, offering funding for projects designed to improve how fans travel to and from major sporting events.
The initiative is linked to the 2027 UEFA Champions League final, scheduled to take place at Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium on June 5, 2027, and focuses on managing the movement of tens of thousands of supporters before and after the match.
Funding for innovative solutions
Each selected project will receive €25,000 to support the pilot implementation of innovative ideas.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with Atleti Lab, the innovation hub of Atlético Madrid, and is open to:
- Start-ups
- Universities
- Research centres
- Non-profit organisations
- Technology companies
- Transport providers
Three key areas of focus
The initiative is centred on three main challenges:
- Forecasting travel patterns and transport demand before the final through data analysis.
- Improving information and guidance for supporters to help them choose the most suitable transport routes and options.
- Using real-time data to manage traffic flows and large crowds during the event.
Planning for an unpredictable event
One of the main challenges is that the two finalists will not be known until a few weeks before the match.
Until then, organisers cannot accurately predict where supporters will be travelling from, which transport methods they will use or how crowds will move around Madrid.
UEFA is therefore seeking solutions that can be applied not only around the stadium but also at:
- Airports
- Railway stations
- Hotels
- Fan zones and gathering areas
Application process
Applicants must already have a working prototype or a solution that has been tested in real-world conditions.
Applications will remain open until November 29, 2026, while selected projects will be announced in December 2026.
The development and testing phase will run from January to May 2027, with final presentations scheduled for June 3, 2027, two days before the Champions League final.
Building a model for future events
Champions Innovate was first launched in London in 2024, before continuing in Munich in 2025 and Budapest in 2026.
The latest edition is also linked to Atlético Madrid's sustainability strategy and the Ciudad del Deporte development project surrounding the Metropolitano area.
UEFA says the long-term objective is to create a smart mobility model that can be used at future Champions League finals, major sporting events and other large-scale gatherings, improving organisation, safety and environmental sustainability.
Source: In.gr
