Scouting, Training, Experimentation and Market Access
THE FUTURE OF FOOTBALL IS HERE
The Challenge
Extra Time is the innovation programme focused on the application of new ideas and technologies to football and the sports industry, promoted by Social Media Soccer and Theorema srl SB. With its 2026 edition, Extra Time evolves from a pitch competition into a structured, permanent platform integrating scouting, training, experimentation and market access.
The programme is built around three main pillars: an Innovation Tour across Italian universities, designed to identify emerging talent and ideas at the research stage; a dual call for applications targeting both university teams and established startups; and an Innovation Day at the Social Football Summit, bringing everything together through a pitch competition, themed panels and an exhibition area where innovators, businesses, investors and clubs come together.
The Calls
- 01
Extratime start-up challenge
An international competition for startups developing solutions for football and the sports industry. Selected teams will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas, gain mentoring and visibility, and connect with investors and football clubs.
- 02
Extratime Gen Z challenge
Designed for university students and innovative teams, the initiative aims to promote creative ideas in the sports industry. Participants will have access to training, mentoring, and networking opportunities with startups, clubs, and investors.
Innovation Day
ExtraTime’s Innovation Day is the highlight of the programme: a full day combining a pitch competition, themed panels and an exhibition area.
A high-visibility space where startups, partners and stakeholders showcase solutions and projects, fostering meaningful connections with clubs, companies and investors.
More than an accelerator, ExtraTime brings together open innovation, communication, community and market access, with the ambition of becoming a leading national platform with an international outlook.
Past Events
Explore Past Events
