Rethinking the rulebook: Four trends shaping sports regulation in 2025 and beyond

Deloitte’s recently released 2024 edition of the Future of Sport report highlighted four key forces for change impacting leaders across sport, outlining how they will continue to present challenges and opportunities to sports clubs, leagues, governments and governing bodies around the world in 2025 and beyond.

The importance of good governance and regulation are recurring themes for the future of sport - ensuring oversight, integrity and transparency is maintained. Both now and in the future, good governance and effectively designed and implemented regulations will be pivotal to promote financial sustainability, safeguard athlete welfare, protect the fan experience, and more.

We recently hosted our third Virtual Roundtable for the Deloitte Sports Regulators Network, to explore how these forces for change may impact sports regulations and how regulators can stay ahead of the game. 

The group - which included leaders representing a breadth of national and international organisations from across a variety of nations and sports including football, cycling, motorsports, rugby league and rugby union – cited new opportunities and risks posed by each trend. 

Here are the group’s top takeaways:

Evolving Global Market
 

The trend: Increased competitive intensity across the sport and entertainment market is driving fundamental reform as organisations seek to remain relevant. 

How it will impact regulators: The evolving global market will require evolution of regulations and regulatory frameworks, as sports regulators will have an influx of new investors to navigate, as well as different types of ownership models such as multi-club ownership structures to take into account. 

The takeaway: Striking the balance between promoting financial sustainability, and therefore attractiveness to investors, of sports assets whilst also promoting competitive balance and growth will be key.

Pace of Digital
 

The trend: The proliferation of new technologies is setting new standards for consumers, creating opportunities for organisations that adapt and risks for those that don’t. 

How it will impact regulators: New technologies bring both opportunities and threats to new regulators. Greater automation has the potential to increase the efficiency of reporting and submission processes, whilst artificial intelligence could, for instance, be used to help standardise regulatory responses to inquiries. 

The takeaway: Regulators need to stay ahead of emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and non-fungible tokens, to ensure they are not used to circumvent established regulations. Sports regulators will also need to pay closer attention to cybersecurity threats as more of their processes are conducted digitally.

Next Generation of Fans 
 

The trend: Legacy business and fan engagement models are being disrupted by the emergence of younger generations with different consumption preferences. 

How it will impact regulators: The complexity of regulations and subsequent impact on regulated entities may risk damaging fan engagement. However,  a more inquisitive next generation of fan may be more receptive to better understanding the purpose and impact of regulations if appropriate communication and education are provided. 

The takeaway: Building understanding of regulations and the trust of regulators will be key, supported by careful communication, particularly with the media and government, and the education of fan communities. This may be supported by building annual communication strategies, regulatory activity reports, advocacy through influencer activity and ensuring a strong ‘tone from the top’ in the clear communication of regulations.

Trust 
 

The trend: Organisations and individuals are being challenged to act with purpose and integrity to protect their reputations and build stakeholder trust. 

How it will impact regulators: Trust is what ultimately underpins the success of regulations, and the impact of sports regulators. Sports regulations are undergoing heightened public scrutiny and engagement.  

The takeaway: The importance of transparency, independence and efficiency of decision-making on sporting integrity and protecting the value of the ‘on-pitch’ product is paramount. Regulators have a responsibility to protect the future, including the financial stability of regulated entities and, increasingly, social and environmental matters.

Download Deloitte’s 2024 Future of Sport report here. 

About Deloitte’s work in Sports Governance and Regulations

The Deloitte Sports Business Group advises governments, clubs, leagues and governing bodies on Governance and Regulation, establishing robust models to ensure thorough oversight, integrity and transparency and ensuring the adoption and adherence of rules and regulations, to lay foundations for sustainable and long-term growth.