ICC Launches Global Hackathon to Elevate Women in Sports Technology
The International Cricket Council has announced the launch of “Beyond Boundaries”, the Official ICC Global Hackathon powered by Ignyte. A worldwide innovation challenge designed to reimagine the future of sport through technology, this hackathon embodies the ICC’s vision of using innovation and technology to unlock new possibilities. By inspiring the brightest minds from diverse industries, the program aims to not only transform cricket but also contribute to the global evolution of sport in the age of AI.
This ambitious program aims to bring together students, startups, and scale-ups across the globe to tackle some of the most exciting opportunities in sport today—from enhancing fan engagement and improving athlete performance, to driving sustainability and delivering cutting-edge digital experiences.
Importantly, the hackathon places a special emphasis on elevating women in sport, spotlighting the role of technology in creating more visibility, inclusivity, and opportunity for women athletes, fans and technologists. To encourage diversity in the participants, all teams applying will be required to have at least one female member, and there will be a special prize awarded to the top all-female team.
While rooted in cricket, the Hackathon invites participants to focus across all sports in search of transformative ideas and solutions. The hackathon will run through 2025–2026, with a program of global outreach and regional activations designed to ensure diverse participation from every corner of the sporting world.
The journey will culminate in a flagship showcase in January 2026, where the most promising teams will present their solutions on an international stage.
Opportunities for Participants
The ICC Global Hackathon offers more than just recognition. Alongside an official cash prize, the winning teams will receive:
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International visibility through ICC’s global platforms and media reach
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Mentorship and support from industry leaders and technology experts
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Pilot opportunities with the ICC and its global partners to bring their solutions to life in real-world sporting environments
This is a chance for innovators to shape the future of sport, influence how millions of fans and athletes experience the game, and leave a lasting legacy on the global sporting landscape.
Themes & Challenge Areas
Participants will be invited to develop tech-driven solutions across three key opportunity areas:
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Sport Visibility & Engagement – Amplifying women’s sports and athletes through digital platforms, AI, and new fan engagement models.
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Next-Gen Fan Experiences – Using technology to design interactive, personalized, and community-driven experiences that excite younger audiences and grow sports fandom.
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Athlete Health, Performance & Inclusivity – Harnessing wearables, machine learning, automation, and smart analytics to support athlete wellbeing, enhance performance, and foster inclusivity.
Submission Deadline: 19 December 2025
Who Can Apply: Students, startups, scale-ups, and innovators worldwide
More about Ignyte
Ignyte is part of the Dubai Digital Economy Strategy under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It is a leading global start-up ecosystem that empowers founders. As a digital hub for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship, it provides access to world-class mentors, investors, and over 250 exclusive perks and resources from leading corporates and industry partners.
Ignyte aims to transform the start-up landscape and position the region as a global centre for innovation and business acceleration.It bridges the gap between entrepreneurs and opportunities by fostering collaborations, offering tailored programmes, and facilitating access to capital. Ignyte's mission is to empower 100,000 start-ups, connect over 5,000 investors, and unite 5,000 industry leading mentors. Key initiatives include streamlining business setup, supporting future founders, and accelerating corporate innovation.
