Platinumlist, the Middle East entertainment discovery platform has launched Platinumlist Sport, a dedicated division focused on the Middle East’s sports industry. The new unit equips organisers, clubs, venues and federations with simple, reliable technology, clear data, and marketing that connects fans with the action.
“Sports in the Middle East are growing fast, and expectations are rising with them,” said Cosmin Ivan, CEO at Platinumlist. “Organisers need tools they can trust, insight they can act on, and partners who understand the region. ”
With the Middle East sports sector already valued at approximately $600 billion and growing 8.7 per cent annually, the dedicated division brings end-to-end ticketing, data insights and fan-first marketing to help organisers, federations, clubs and venues to maximise their efforts. The new platform will also partner with experiential, event management, or data agencies to enhance fan engagement
“Over the years, we’ve learned that deeper focus unlocks deeper impact. When we launched verticals like Attractions and Business Events, giving them their own teams, tools, and language helped us scale those categories by hundreds of percent. Sport is the next natural step – and one of the fastest-growing entertainment segments in the region,” says Ivan.
He adds, “By dedicating a team and a technology track to sports, we’re now able to work more closely with organisers, federations, and external partners – from experiential agencies to data and fan engagement specialists. This shift lets us build connected, fan-first journeys instead of one-off campaigns.”
What Platinumlist Sport delivers
- Support for Every Game: From international tournaments to community leagues, we’re here to help events of every scale thrive.
- Simple, Reliable Tools: End-to-end ticketing, seamless access, and clear data, so organisers can focus on what matters most.
- Fan-First Approach: Marketing and storytelling that connect fans with the passion behind every match.
- Proven Partnerships: Backed by years of collaboration with Dubai Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, UAE Pro League, the Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia, and other leading sports entities across the region, the company combines hands-on experience with sports-dedicated technology that simplifies operations and enhances every fan’s experience.
The platform is also exploring:
- Smart fan registration tools tied to engagement campaigns
- API integrations with third-party loyalty and activation platforms
- AI-powered modules for crowd prediction, demand shaping, and targeted comms
- Modular UX flows for VIPs, multi-sport passes, or branded fan zones
Ivan continues, “But this isn’t just about features. It’s about building a flexible infrastructure layer – one that empowers organisers, enhances the fan experience, and opens the door to creative collaboration with brands. To support that brand interest, a year ago, a dedicated Sponsorship & Partnerships department within Platinumlist was established, which initially focused on entertainment but is now exploring partnerships with sports events.”
Sports-specific activations
The launch is timed with the region’s unprecedented sports boom. A recent PwC Middle East report projects the global sports tourism market to exceed $2 trillion by 2030. However, the report also warns that the Gulf risks “one-of” event fatigue, urging a strategic shift from simply hosting headline tournaments to building a sustainable, year-round sports economy.
Platinumlist Sport is engineered to be a key partner in this transition. The division’s focus on technology, data-driven insights, and marketing for immersive, experience-led fan journeys directly supports the development of a connected regional ecosystem that drives repeat tourism and long-term fan engagement.
With Platinumlist Sport, this now extends directly into sports-specific activations, including:
- Pre-event campaigns with promo codes, social integrations, and branded content
- On-site activations, from immersive brand zones to surprise fan rewards
- Post-event retention, through ticketing bundles, loyalty mechanics, or targeted re-engagement
“Our platform tools, like genre targeting, geolocation, and behaviour segmentation, make these campaigns measurable and scalable across the region. Ultimately, Platinumlist Sport is not just a ticketing solution. It’s a connector — between fans and the action, between organisers and technology, and between brands and moments that matter,” says Ivan.
As seasons expand and new competitions take shape, Platinumlist Sport aims to strengthen a connected sports ecosystem by supporting organisers to grow sustainably while giving fans experiences that matter.
Platinumlist’s journey into sports began with the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in 2015 and has since expanded to thousands of events across more than seven countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt and Kuwait.
