SPORTEL Monaco proved once again this year that, in the world of sport business, it is THE event not to be missed; a showcase for all the latest market trends. Alongside old familiar faces, SPORTEL has, over the last five years, put the spotlight on new technologies, revealing the key players in anti-pirating, monetization of content and fan engagement.
For the first time ever, a new ‘Innovation Zone’ was mixed together with sport business leaders such as LaLiga, Bundesliga International, Infront Sports & Media, Matchroom and NBA, clearly demonstrating that this is a sector in full flight.
“Business leaders know that, during three days, we give them the opportunity to meet the main actors both from international sports media and from the new technology sector. With 
3126 participants – an increase of three per cent – representing 980 companies from 73 countries, SPORTEL Monaco is now, more than ever before, the industry’s biggest international gathering”, declared chief executive Laurent Puons.
On Monday 21st October, SPORTEL Monaco celebrated its 30th anniversary. All of the SPORTEL community were invited to mark 30 years of meetings and opportunities at an evening event that mixed business and fun. There were friendly games of darts, ping pong and table football.
“I’d like to thank all of those companies who’ve been coming to SPORTEL from the very beginning, and to the more recent arrivals, for their loyalty. Thank you for your trust! I would also like to thank all of our sponsors: Bundesliga International, DLA Piper, Eurovision Sport, Fight Sports, Getty Images, Leadership Institute in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, LaLiga, Ligue Nationale de Rugby, Mediakind, Nielsen Sport, Red Bee Media, Telstra, Vimeo, the Monaco Olympic Committee, the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, A.S. Monaco, CPC & Associés, ONE Championship, Peace and Sport, SEBMAN, A.S. Star Team for the Children MC. Our aim is to continue offering opportunities to do business, share ideas and grow the event with each passing year. Together we are building the future of sport,” added Puons.
As well as organizing exclusive conferences aimed at the professionals, SPORTEL also wanted to involve the general public more, through a variety of complementary happenings. Having become an event in its own right, SPORTEL Awards now offers sports fans meet-ups and signing sessions with different sporting personalities, together with exclusive screenings!
Once again this year, the traditional SPORTEL Awards Ceremony was a unique and enjoyable experience for the general public, who turned up in numbers. The most moving moments of the evening were a retrospective of the first edition of the SPORTEL market in 1990, followed by several tributes and finally the awarding of the Lifetime Sport Achievement Award to Alain Prost in recognition of his brilliant career.
To mark the opening of the event, SPORTEL Awards organized for the first time, and under the aegis of the Monaco Boxing Federation, the 14th edition of the Monaco Boxing Challenge. It was a huge success, featuring eight professional fights, including two French Championships.
“We wanted SPORTEL 30th anniversary to kick off with an exceptional event. We got to witness some passionate and explosive fights, featuring members of Team Monaco Boxe. Christ Esabe and Khalil El Hadri, two of French boxing’s brightest young stars, both won championship belts in their respective categories for the first time,” declared Puons.
Next year’s sport business’ rendez-vous will take place in the USA. After a two-year absence, SPORTEL will be returning to Miami from 3rd to 6th March 2020, with a brand new format. An additional day will be set aside for high-level conferences, themes of which will be announced shortly.