Author: Innovation Center

Posted on by

The club showcases its advancements in artificial intelligence at the Mobile World Congress in collaboration with IBM

Sevilla FC continues to strengthen its position as a technological leader in sports and was present at one of the industry’s key international events, the Mobile World Congress, which took place in Barcelona during the first week of March.

In collaboration with IBM, Sevilla FC participated in the event’s exhibition area, offering an immersive experience that allowed attendees to explore the use of the Scout Advisor tool. Developed by the club together with IBM and its Generative AI platform, WatsonX, this tool provides player performance reports similar to those generated by the club’s scouts. Congress visitors were able to interact with a foosball table powered by generative AI to create these reports, optimizing the collected information and reducing the time required to consult and access data.

Elías Zamora, the club’s head of data, participated in a roundtable discussion about the transformation of football scouting through Generative AI, where he presented the club’s technological projects to industry-leading companies and specialized media, both national and international.

Sevilla FC’s participation in the Mobile World Congress also served to announce that the club has become the first entity in the world to join the AI Alliance, an organization founded by IBM and Meta, which already has over 150 members from companies and academic institutions. The goal is to promote the ethical and open use of Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, both Scout Advisor and Sevilla FC were featured in a blog post by Meta, highlighting the successful use of its Llama 3 model.

Posted on by

Sevilla FC becomes the first global sports organization to join the AI Alliance

Sevilla Fútbol Club has made history once again by becoming the first sports entity in the world to be invited to join the AI Alliance, a prominent international community that promotes the responsible, ethical, and collaborative development of artificial intelligence (AI), setting global standards for technological innovation. With over 150 member organizations, Sevilla FC positions itself as the first sports entity, solidifying its strong commitment to advancing technology applied to sports.

The AI Alliance was co-founded by IBM and Meta, and includes other major tech players such as Intel, AMD, Oracle, Red Hat, and Sony. Additionally, prestigious universities and academic institutions, such as CERN, EPFL, ETH Zurich, Yale, Cornell, Tokyo, Imperial College London, and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, are part of this initiative.

On a national level, Sevilla FC becomes the fourth Spanish institution to join the AI Alliance, along with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, MLOps Community, and Esade, marking a milestone in the history of sports and technology in Spain. Over the years, Sevilla FC has solidified its leadership in integrating cutting-edge technologies in both sports and business. In sports, the club has developed solutions for player identification and analysis, based on the evaluations of its scouts expressed in natural language.

In the commercial sector, Sevilla FC has incorporated AI into its ticket sales, sponsorship, and Fan 360 tools, with a special focus on attendance prediction solutions, which have optimized the management of the secondary ticket market. Sevilla FC president José María del Nido Carrasco expressed his satisfaction with this recognition: “It is an honor for Sevilla FC to be the first sports entity to join the AI Alliance. We are fully committed to its principles for the safe, ethical, and collaborative development of AI. This recognition from the technology industry and academic institutions reinforces our commitment to applying technological innovation to sports and our various business areas to provide our professionals with the best tools to achieve success both on and off the field.”

By joining the AI Alliance, Sevilla FC adopts the fundamental principles of the community, which include:

  • Global collaboration to advance AI development.
  • Definition and development of AI use cases in the sports industry.
  • Promotion of open-source technology to foster equitable access to AI.

This achievement strengthens Sevilla FC’s commitment to digital transformation and positions it as a key player in the development of a more innovative, ethical, and sustainable sports ecosystem, paving the way for other sports entities to follow its example.

Recently, Meta highlighted the success of Scout Advisor in its blog, a tool based on Generative AI using Meta’s Llama 3 technology and IBM’s WatsonX, showcasing its effectiveness in the sports field.

Posted on by

El Curso de Entrenadores del Sevilla FC avanza con los módulos de técnica y legislación

El Curso de Entrenadores del Sevilla FC continúa su desarrollo con un enfoque práctico y teórico que refuerza la formación de los alumnos. En las últimas semanas, los participantes han completado dos módulos fundamentales en su aprendizaje como son Legislación y Técnica, áreas esenciales para su desarrollo como entrenadores.

Uno de los aspectos más destacados ha sido la metodología de enseñanza aplicada, que combina sesiones teóricas con experiencias prácticas en el campo. Antes de cada clase teórica, los alumnos han tenido la oportunidad de realizar visionados de entrenamientos, guiados directamente por el docente del módulo correspondiente. Esta iniciativa les permite analizar en tiempo real las dinámicas de trabajo y trasladar ese conocimiento a las sesiones en aula.

Durante el mes de febrero, el encargado de impartir el módulo ha sido Javier Martínez, actual segundo entrenador del Sevilla Atlético, primer filial del club. Su experiencia en el fútbol de alto rendimiento ha sido un gran valor añadido para los alumnos, quienes han podido conocer de primera mano las claves del día a día en un equipo profesional que compite en Primera RFEF. 

El programa formativo no se detiene, y la próxima semana los participantes iniciarán un nuevo módulo, que estará dirigido por José Manuel García-Baquero, técnico de cantera del Sevilla FC.

Con este curso, el Sevilla FC refuerza su compromiso con la formación de entrenadores, asegurando que las nuevas generaciones cuenten con los conocimientos y herramientas necesarias para crecer en la industria del fútbol.

Posted on by

A February full of visits and training sessions.

The Innovation Center of Sevilla Fútbol Club continues to establish itself as a benchmark in training and innovation within the football industry. In recent weeks, the club has hosted up to four training programs, strengthening its role as a hub for the development of players, coaches, and sports professionals.

In this context, the Training Facilites José Ramón Cisneros Palacios has welcomed two international clubs as part of its Players Academy program. First, FK Terlicko 2022 from the Czech Republic enjoyed an immersive experience that included high-level training sessions led by club coaches. Additionally, the young footballers had the opportunity to take an exclusive tour of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, delving into the history and greatness of Sevilla FC, and attended a Sevilla Atlético match at the Jesús Navas Stadium, experiencing the competition atmosphere firsthand.

On the other hand, Lincoln Red Imps Football Club, the most decorated team in Gibraltar, also took part in the Players Academy program with the goal of strengthening its youth academy’s training methodology. The U8 team from the Gibraltarian club participated in training sessions alongside Sevilla FC’s youth coaches and played a friendly match against Sevilla FC’s U8, fostering both sporting and cultural exchange between the two entities.

Beyond player development, the Innovation Center has also served as a learning platform for professionals in the industry. In this regard, students from the Master’s in Physical Preparation and Rehabilitation in Football at UCAM took part in a series of practical workshops led by Sevilla FC specialists at the Assessment Center, where they gained first-hand experience with advanced methods for performance analysis and optimization. They also had the opportunity to explore both the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium and the state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to the first team at the Ciudad Deportiva.

Finally, the LALIGA Business School training program also found a strategic partner in Sevilla FC for the specialization of its students. On this occasion, students from the Master’s in Sports Management received specialized training from various club professionals, deepening their understanding of key aspects of management and decision-making in elite football.

Through these initiatives, Sevilla Fútbol Club reaffirms its commitment to innovation, education, and talent development, further establishing its Innovation Center as a leading space in the international football landscape.

Posted on by

List of accepted works in the IV edition of the Blasco Garzón Award

The ‘Cátedra Sevilla FC: Universidad, Empresa y Deporte’ at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO) opened the submission period for the III edition of the Manuel Blasco Garzón Award on November 20. This award recognizes the excellence of the best Bachelor’s and Master’s theses presented by students enrolled at UPO, both in official degrees and in continuing education programs. Through this initiative, Sevilla FC, via its Innovation Center, aims to promote study, research initiation, and knowledge transfer across various fields. The list of accepted submissions can be consulted at this link.

The Manuel Blasco Garzón Award pays tribute to the memory of the former president of Sevilla FC, under whose tenure the club won two Andalusian Cups, hired the first doctor in the club’s history, organized the first training camps, and secured the hosting of the Spanish Cup final at the Reina Victoria Stadium, contested between FC Barcelona and Club Arenas de Guecho. Additionally, his board included a young man destined to write the greatest chapters in the club’s history: Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Blasco Garzón was also a prominent figure in Seville’s social and cultural life at the time, serving, among other roles, as president of the Ateneo de Sevilla and promoting projects aimed at bringing culture to local neighborhoods, contributing to citizens’ education, and helping combat illiteracy.

Posted on by

New edition of the SPORT DATA FORUM 25 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán

The SPORT DATA FORUM 2025 (SDF 2025) is organized by Sports Data Campus, with the key collaboration of Sevilla FC and the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM). This one-year program will kick off with an in-person session at Sevilla FC’s iconic stadium, followed by monthly online sessions every Monday until February 2026, enabling global and continuous participation.

It has become a tradition for Sports Data Forum editions to begin at Sevilla FC’s facilities, and 2025 will be no exception. This year’s edition, one of the most important events in the field of sports Big Data, will launch at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium on March 20. The opening session will feature over ten hours of debates, conferences, and interactive activities. Tickets are available here.

As always, SDF 2025 will welcome international experts who will discuss innovative topics, present real-world case studies, and analyze the impact of data analytics on sports performance and strategic decision-making. This event is an essential opportunity for professionals and enthusiasts passionate about the intersection of technology and sports, offering a comprehensive perspective on current and future trends in sports analytics.

Posted on by

Leading participants at the SPOBIS Conference in Germany

Aquí tienes la traducción al inglés:

Sevilla FC has strengthened its position as a leader in technological innovation in football during the SPOBIS Conference 2025, held in Hamburg on February 5 and 6. Elías Zamora, the club’s Head of Data, presented the “Scout Advisor” tool, developed in collaboration with IBM. This application uses generative artificial intelligence to process scout reports, combining qualitative and quantitative data, significantly reducing the time needed to identify suitable talents.

Additionally, Sevilla FC has been recognized for its commitment to digitalization, being nominated for the Best Digitalization Project in a Medium-Sized Company at the Disruptores Innovation Awards 2024. This nomination highlights the club’s dedication to developing proprietary technological tools that enhance its daily operations across all areas.

Participation in international events, such as LALIGA Extratime in China, has allowed the club to share its technological advancements and internationalization strategies, further consolidating its global presence and reputation as a leader in innovation within the football industry.

These initiatives underscore Sevilla FC’s commitment to integrating technology and artificial intelligence into its processes, both in sports and business, positioning the club as a leader in digital transformation in European football.

Si necesitas algún ajuste, dime y lo adapto. 😊

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Nigerian Chimezie Obi joins Sevilla FC D and calls on his compatriot Ola Great for a trial at our International Team

Sevilla FC D, the club’s international team, continues to strengthen its squad with young talents from around the world, welcoming Nigerian forward Chimezie Paul Obi.

The 19-year-old player has already integrated into the training sessions of Óscar Olomo’s team and has shared his feelings about his first experience with the club.

“Well, my experience in Seville is very good. I enjoy everything about the city; everything is great in Seville. I’m very happy to be in Seville because it’s one of the clubs I dreamed of being a part of. So, I’m very happy to be at Sevilla FC,” he commented about his first days at the club.

In addition to the Nigerian forward, the international team have players from Indonesia, the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Sweden.

Furthermore, Chimezie Paul Obi has sent a message calling on his compatriot Ola Great to undergo a trial with Sevilla FC D in the coming months:

“Hello, my friend Ola. I’m Obi Paul, a Nigerian player for Sevilla FC D, and we would love for you to come and take a trial with our international team. We’re waiting for you.”

Ola Great had challenged Sevilla FC’s English account on X (formerly Twitter), asking how many times his post would need to be shared to secure a trial with the club. After meeting the required number of shares, Sevilla FC has opened the door for him to try out for Sevilla FC D, the club’s international team.

Posted on by

Nigerian Chimezie Obi joins Sevilla FC D and calls on his compatriot Ola Great for a trial at our International Team

Sevilla FC D, the club’s international team, continues to strengthen its squad with young talents from around the world, welcoming Nigerian forward Chimezie Paul Obi.

The 19-year-old player has already integrated into the training sessions of Óscar Olomo’s team and has shared his feelings about his first experience with the club.

“Well, my experience in Seville is very good. I enjoy everything about the city; everything is great in Seville. I’m very happy to be in Seville because it’s one of the clubs I dreamed of being a part of. So, I’m very happy to be at Sevilla FC,” he commented about his first days at the club.

In addition to the Nigerian forward, the international team have players from Indonesia, the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Sweden.

Furthermore, Chimezie Paul Obi has sent a message calling on his compatriot Ola Great to undergo a trial with Sevilla FC D in the coming months:

“Hello, my friend Ola. I’m Obi Paul, a Nigerian player for Sevilla FC D, and we would love for you to come and take a trial with our international team. We’re waiting for you.”

Ola Great had challenged Sevilla FC’s English account on X (formerly Twitter), asking how many times his post would need to be shared to secure a trial with the club. After meeting the required number of shares, Sevilla FC has opened the door for him to try out for Sevilla FC D, the club’s international team.

Posted on by

8th Edition of the Master Degree in Big Data Applied to Scouting in Football

Organized in collaboration with the Sevilla FC Innovation Center, the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), and Sports Data Campus, this course will begin on March 25, maintaining its offer in Spanish, with an English version coming soon.

This training program has established itself as a reference in the football industry, providing students with specialized education in the use of advanced data analysis technologies, scouting, and decision-making in sports. Thanks to its practical approach and strong connections with elite clubs, students have the opportunity to intern in the Data and Analysis departments of Sevilla FC, as well as in other clubs and organizations within the sector. Additionally, the master’s program promotes the development of high-impact final projects, where students can apply their knowledge to real-world cases.

The faculty is composed of renowned figures in the football world, including Víctor Orta, Sporting Director of Sevilla FC; Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo ‘Monchi’, Director of Football Operations at Aston Villa Football Club; Jesús Olivera Fernández, Head of Data Football at Sevilla FC; José Rodríguez, Performance and Data Analysis at Aston Villa, among others.

For those interested in learning more about the program, course content, and enrollment process, all information is available at the following link.

Posted on by

Submission period now open for the 4th Blasco Garzón Award

The Sevilla FC Chair at the Pablo de Olavide University recognizes the excellence of the best Final Degree and Master’s Thesis projects.

The ‘Sevilla FC Chair: University, Business, and Sport’ at Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) has opened the submission period for the fourth edition of the Manuel Blasco Garzón Award. This award recognizes the excellence of the best Final Degree and Master’s Thesis projects submitted by students enrolled at UPO, both in official degree programs and continuous education courses. With this call, the aim is to promote study, initiation into research, and the transfer of knowledge in various fields of knowledge.

The competition rules and the procedure for submitting applications can be accessed via email at [email protected]. The deadline for submission is February 16, and the award will be decided in the second half of March. So far, the work of twelve graduate students has been recognized, with the Faculty of Sports Sciences and the Faculty of Experimental Sciences having won all the awards, covering topics such as The Influence of the Peak of Maximum Maturation Speed and Relative Age in School Age, Spike-Timing Dependent LDT in the C4-C2/3 Synapse of the Mouse Somatosensory Cortex, and Entrepreneurship Before the Age of Thirty: Success Stories, among others.

This award pays tribute to the memory of Manuel Blasco Garzón, former president of Sevilla FC, under whose tenure the club won two Andalusian Cups, hired the first doctor in the club’s history, organized the first training camps, and secured the Reina Victoria Stadium as the venue for the Spanish Cup final between FC Barcelona and Club Arenas de Getxo. He also welcomed into his board a young man destined to write the greatest pages in the club’s history: Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Blasco Garzón was also an omnipresent figure in Seville’s social and cultural life at the time, serving as president of the Ateneo de Sevilla and promoting projects aimed at raising the cultural level of neighborhoods and contributing to the education of citizens, helping in the fight against illiteracy.

BlascoGarzón_Convocatoria2324Descarga

Posted on by

The Grande FC Academy visits Sevilla’s Training Facilities

The Grande FC Academy from Japan visited the Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros Palacios to join the Players Academy program of the Innovation Center at Sevilla FC, playing a friendly match against the club’s Infantil A team.

The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was a great opportunity to strengthen ties with international football stakeholders, highlighting the club’s commitment to global collaboration and youth talent development. Played with great intensity and sportsmanship, the match reflects Sevilla FC’s commitment to initiatives that unite cultures and enhance the global impact of football.

The Players Academy program at Sevilla FC is an initiative aimed at the comprehensive development of young footballers on an international level. Through this platform, the Andalusian club offers players from different countries the opportunity to experience an elite training methodology based on the values, techniques, and playing philosophy that have characterized Sevilla FC throughout its history. This program also promotes cultural exchange and the creation of links with academies and clubs worldwide, strengthening its global presence and commitment to youth talent development.

On the other hand, the Grande FC Academy from Japan is a well-recognized institution in the Asian country for its focus on the development of young players, combining solid technical training with values such as discipline, respect, and teamwork. Founded with the aim of preparing its players to compete at the highest level, the academy has built a reputation for excellence in talent development and collaboration with prestigious international entities.

The visit of the Grande FC Academy to Sevilla not only served for the sporting development of the players but also for the exchange of knowledge and experiences between both institutions. Such encounters contribute to strengthening Sevilla FC’s international relations and consolidating its role as a benchmark in the training of footballers on a global scale.