As part of the Sunset Sports Festival, today we hosted Sofascore Networking Day – a full day of ideas and insights. Held under the Croatian sun and surrounded by our partners, collaborators, and media friends, this was a unique chance to show where Sofascore stands today – and where we’re headed.
Opening Keynote: The Road to 2026
The day kicked off with an opening speech from Ivan Bešlić, Sofascore’s CSO and co-founder, who set the tone for the future.
With the biggest World Cup in history just one year away – 40 days, 104 matches, and a truly global audience – Ivan emphasized the importance of being better, faster, and smarter than the competition. Our partnership with CBS, one of the largest broadcasters in the United States, is a major step in that direction.
The Sofascore platform is evolving to meet that challenge. From the home screen to the Feed, and everything in between, new features are coming to enhance the experience for our growing global user base. At the center of it all? Our mission to entertain, inform, and educate – the three pillars that define who we are today.
From Stars to Screens: The Player of the Season Award Show
The momentum from today builds on yesterday’s unforgettable Player of the Season Award Show, the first of its kind to be broadcast for a U.S. audience later this summer. Featuring some of the biggest names in world football, the show highlights Sofascore’s unique approach to performance recognition, powered by data and designed for fans.
>> Sofascore’s First-Ever Player of the Season Award Show
Missed the show? Don’t worry – you can still check out our interactive booth in the Exhibition Zone of the Sunset Sports Festival, where all of this year’s winners are showcased. Whether it’s a world champion or a league breakout star, you’ll get a closer look at what makes them special – and how Sofascore Ratings helped tell their story.
Panel Spotlight: Ads That Don’t Suck
The panel “Ads That Don’t Suck” brought together a powerhouse lineup to tackle a big question: how can brands, especially betting and non-betting, connect with sports fans without interrupting the game?
Moderated by David Mrkonjić, Sofascore’s Head of Brand Revenue, the panel featured:
- Saša Milinović, Managing Director at OMD
- Andrew Moskovitz, CEO at Adverge
- Gijs Witteveen, Head of Commercial Operations Europe at Refinery89
One thing was clear: attention is king. If a user spends 4–5 minutes inside the app, that’s prime real estate for meaningful engagement. And with the right data, that connection becomes smarter and smoother for everyone involved.
Torneo by Sofascore: Uprising the Underdogs
Next on stage was Toni Jermaniš, our Chief Business Development Officer, who introduced a movement that’s close to Sofascore’s heart: Torneo by Sofascore.
>> Sofascore Editor Becomes Torneo by Sofascore: A New Era in Tournament Management
From Sunday leagues to the Champions League, Torneo is about giving visibility to every level of the game – from underdogs and amateurs to smaller leagues and passionate communities. This is where the grassroots meet the global, and Sofascore is proud to be part of their story.
From Feature to Global Trend: The Ratings Revolution
In his talk, Branimir Karačić, Sofascore’s CMO, reflected on a journey that started with a bold idea: turning live player ratings into a core part of football culture. Once considered “just a feature”, Sofascore ratings have now become a global language for fans, clubs, and media.
>> The Most Objective Football Award: Sofascore Names Players of the Season
The story behind that evolution – and how it’s still shaping the future of sports data – continues to inspire new formats, features, and followers.
As the sun set on Sofascore Networking Day, one message came through loud and clear: this is just the beginning. Whether you joined us live or followed along online, stay tuned, the biggest year in Sofascore history is just around the corner.