Sergio Floris, Sportradar: “Latin America is a strategic region for us”

Sportradar Brazil’s Managing Director discusses the company’s strategy for SBC Summit Rio 2026, the integration of IMG ARENA and preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026. He also outlines the group’s outlook for Latin America and upcoming partnerships across the region.

Exclusive interview.- In this exclusive interview with Focus Gaming News, Sergio Floris, managing director at Sportradar Brazil, shares how the company is positioning itself for a pivotal year marked by major industry events, technological evolution and the commercial impact of global football. From its presence at the upcoming SBC Summit Rio to the integration of premium sports rights and AI-driven solutions, Floris explains how Sportradar aims to support operators across the full player lifecycle.

He also addresses the strategic importance of Latin America, the operational implications of the IMG ARENA acquisition and the company’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup, while previewing Sportradar’s upcoming participation in other key regional events.

What can attendees expect to see at Sportradar’s booth during the SBC Summit Rio 2026?

At the SBC Summit Rio, Sportradar will take part in what represents the first major gathering of the global betting and igaming industry in Brazil this year. The company’s presence reflects the importance of Brazil as a strategic growth market and its ongoing commitment to working alongside local and international industry stakeholders. 

Attendees can expect to engage with Sportradar’s team to discuss how the company supports operators across sports betting and igaming through data,  technology and advanced analytics. The focus will be on sharing insights around the full player lifecycle, from acquisition and engagement to retention and personalisation, as well as outlining Sportradar’s broader product and innovation strategy. The event provides an important opportunity to connect with partners and industry stakeholders and to exchange views on how integrated, AI-driven capabilities can help drive efficiency and long-term value in an evolving market.

“Sportradar’s presence at SBC Summit Rio reflects the importance of Brazil as a strategic growth market.”

Sergio Floris, managing director at Sportradar Brazil.

Now that the IMG ARENA acquisition has been completed, how are the integration efforts progressing, and how will this affect Sportradar’s overall strategy for 2026? 

The integration of IMG ARENA is progressing well, with teams aligned across products, operations and commercial strategies to ensure a seamless connection between premium sports rights and Sportradar’s broader ecosystem. The acquisition significantly strengthens our content portfolio and reinforces our position at the intersection of data, media and betting, enabling premium rights to be transformed into differentiated, monetisable products across live betting and in-play experiences. 

By combining rights, data and automation, we are helping partners prepare with scalable infrastructure, smarter content activation and more personalised engagement, ensuring they can capture peak demand responsibly while building long-term player value and operational resilience in regulated markets.

2026 is a crucial year for global football, with the FIFA World Cup taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. How is Sportradar preparing for this major tournament, and what are the key challenges the company anticipates?

It is difficult to overstate the importance of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to the betting industry. As one of the few truly global sporting events, it consistently drives a significant uplift in betting activity and player acquisition. The tournament can account for 20 to 30 per cent of annual operator revenue, and Sportradar data shows that during the World Cup month, global first-time deposits peak at 70 per cent above the monthly average, underlining its unique commercial impact. 

For Sportradar, the World Cup represents the most valuable football content in our portfolio, delivered to a network of more than 800 sportsbook operator clients. The expanded 2026 tournament offers exceptional revenue potential, which is why we will provide full coverage of all 104 matches, including up to 190 pre-match and 200 in-play betting markets.  

Since the last World Cup, technology has evolved rapidly, with artificial intelligence playing a central role in odds and risk management. Following the launch of Alpha Odds ahead of the Qatar tournament, AI-driven personalisation is now embedded across our football portfolio, with adoption expected to accelerate further as operators seek to maximise margins and manage risk in a competition where more than US$150bn is projected to be wagered globally. 

At the same time, integrity remains a core pillar of our World Cup readiness.  Through our long-standing cooperation with FIFA and our AI-powered Universal  Fraud Detection System, we provide continuous real-time monitoring to help safeguard competitions and betting ecosystems.

“The FIFA World Cup can account for 20 to 30 per cent of annual operator revenue”.

Sergio Floris, managing director at Sportradar Brazil.

What is next on Sportradar’s agenda for the coming months?

Sportradar will continue to prioritise a strong presence at the industry’s leading events, reflecting our belief in the importance of direct exchange when operators,  regulators and technology providers come together. These forums play a key role in sharing insights, aligning priorities and strengthening collaboration across regulated markets. 

Latin America is a strategic region for Sportradar, and we will maintain a visible presence across major regional events, including a dedicated stand at SiGMA Americas in São Paulo, as well as executive participation at SAGSE Buenos Aires, GAT Colombia, and the Peru Gaming Show. These touchpoints reinforce our long-term commitment to the region and support the development of a more mature and sustainable ecosystem. 

In parallel, the first half of the year will bring important announcements related to new strategic partnerships for the Latin American market, including Brazil. These initiatives will further strengthen Sportradar’s position in the region and reflect our focus on building long-term, high-impact collaborations.