🎓 Data-hack Challenge 2026

TURNING ICE HOCKEY STATISTICS INTO A GAME PEOPLE CANNOT STOP PLAYING

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ThinkSport × Spengler Cup Davos · 2nd edition

Welcome to the Sport Innovation Challenge Data-hack 2026

Turn ice hockey data into an experience fans cannot stop playing.

As part of ThinkSport's Sport Innovation Challenges, the Data-hack Challenge is an international programme designed to inspire and engage participants from technology-focused bachelor's, master's and PhD programmes, as well as independent tech builders, by giving them the opportunity to tackle real-world problems faced by the sports industry.

In this edition, the challenge brings participants together with Spengler Cup Davos, an international ice hockey tournament, to transform real ice hockey performance data into a simple, interactive and genuinely engaging digital experience.

Teams will develop a working prototype, benefit from expert insights and present their solution during the Final Pitching Day on 7 December 2026 at The Circle Convention Center Zurich Airport.

InternationalChallenge
30 Sep 2026Kick-off event
7 Dec 2026Final at The Circle
About ThinkSport

The sport innovation hub at the heart of the Olympic Capital.

ThinkSport is the founder and organiser of the Data-hack Challenge. Created in 2015 by the International Olympic Committee and the Canton of Vaud, ThinkSport is a non-profit organisation based in Lausanne that connects sport organisations, academic institutions, innovators and entrepreneurs.

International Olympic CommitteeFounding institution
Canton of VaudFounding institution
Sponsors Canton of Vaud · The CircleSupporting sport innovation and the final event.
Challenge partners scoreTec · Spengler Cup DavosProviding the challenge context, data and sport expertise.
Experience the eventSpengler Cup 2025 · Aftermovie

By joining the Sport Innovation Challenge Data-hack 2026, participants can apply their technical skills to a real sports-industry challenge, collaborate with experts and contribute to a more engaging way of experiencing ice hockey. The winning team will also have the opportunity to showcase its solution at the Spengler Cup 2026 in Davos.

The challenge

How can we turn real ice hockey performance data into an experience people actually want to explore?

Ice hockey is fast, emotional and full of decisive moments. Yet its performance data can feel complex or disconnected from what happens on the ice. Your challenge is to make that data meaningful, accessible and genuinely engaging.

    Real data Insight Fan experience

Your mission: Design a simple, interactive and genuinely fun web experience that helps hockey experts and complete newcomers understand why a player's performance mattered, not only what the numbers say.

01

Make it interactive

Turn statistics into choices, comparisons, predictions or playful actions that invite people to participate rather than simply scroll.

02

Make it understandable

Translate complex performance data into clear insights that work for both experienced hockey fans and first-time viewers.

03

Make it engaging

Create an experience that sparks curiosity and gives people a reason to stay, explore and come back for another game.

From complex numbers to a clear story. From passive viewing to active discovery. From data to engagement.
Participant profile

Who can take part?

Whether you join through an academic programme or independently, this challenge is for people ready to combine technology, creativity and sport to build an engaging solution.

UNI

Students & academic teams

Open to participants enrolled in technology-focused bachelor's, master's and PhD programmes.

TECH

Independent tech builders

Open to independent developers, data specialists, designers and digital makers ready to turn ideas into a prototype.

Why participate? Work with real ice hockey data Build a portfolio-ready prototype Gain expert feedback and industry exposure
The journey at a glance

Challenge timeline

From academic onboarding to the winning showcase, follow the key stages of the SIC Data-hack 2026.

01
August 2026

Academic Partner Onboarding

Universities and academic institutions join the challenge.

02
1 – 30 September 2026

Team Registration

For academic teams and independent tech-builder teams.

03
30 September 2026

Online Kick-off Event

Meet the partners, discover the data and start the challenge.

04
1 October – 15 November 2026

Gameplay Phase

Webinars: Friday 2, Tuesday 6 and Friday 9 October.

05
16 – 27 November 2026

Local Selection Phase

For academic teams only: each university reviews its projects and selects the teams advancing to the next phase.

06
28 November – 2 December 2026

Final Preparation Phase

Selected teams prepare their final pitch.

07
7 December 2026

Final Event

Hybrid Pitching Day at The Circle Convention Center, Zurich Airport.

08
26 December 2026

Showcase Event

The winning team presents at the Spengler Cup 2026.

Final Pitching Day

On final date, finalists will be invited for the chance to pitch their idea to our expert judging panel, consists of key decision makers of the Hockey Club Davos (HCD), the Spengler Cup organisers, and the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation (SIHF), who will then select the winners of the Sport Innovation Challenge for Sport Organisations - 2nd SIC Data-hack edition!

Participate