SBC is pleased to announce its partnership with A BOLA, Portugal’s foremost sports media brand, in the lead-up to the SBC Summit scheduled for September 24-26 at Feira Internacional de Lisboa.

Forming a partnership with A BOLA, known for its iconic status in Portugal and strong influence in Brazil and Portuguese-speaking regions of Africa, is a vital move in SBC’s effort to engage with the local sports media landscape.

Moreover, with 25,000 industry professionals gathering in Lisbon for the Summit and contributing their unique expertise, this partnership will enable A BOLA to provide premium event coverage and share insights from leading industry experts and sports personalities with its wide-reaching audience across all channels.

Focused on bringing together the sports betting, iGaming, and associated industries, the SBC Summit is SBC’s flagship event with a global reach. Having previously taken place in Barcelona, this year’s edition marks its first appearance in Lisbon, a city that is quickly becoming a key destination for both industry veterans and startups. The event will feature an expansive 110,000-square-meter exhibition floor, eight conference stages—including one at the MEO Arena—and a robust networking agenda both on and off the expo floor.

Bernardo Azevedo, A BOLA’s Chief Sales & Partnerships Officer, commented: “As A BOLA continues to innovate and expand its presence in the digital sports media landscape, we are honoured to become Media Partners of the SBC Summit, known as 'The Greatest Show in Gaming.' This collaboration aligns with our commitment to staying at the forefront of industry developments and reflects our dedication to fostering meaningful connections within the global betting and gaming community. 

“As a brand that values innovation, engagement, and excellence, A BOLA is proud to support an event that embodies these very qualities. We look forward to contributing to the success of SBC Summit and connecting with industry professionals from around the world.”

For almost eight decades, A BOLA has been a leading name in sports media, renowned for its comprehensive game analysis, exclusive athlete interviews, transfer market updates, and thought-provoking editorials. The brand has a strong presence across digital media, television, and print, with A BOLA.pt drawing 5 million users monthly and generating over 150 million page views. A BOLA’s TV’s broadcasts and the A BOLA Newspaper are also key pillars of the brand. Additionally, the brand boasts a robust social media community of more than  2 million followers across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok and is supported by its own video production team.

Following its acquisition by Ringier Sports Media Group (RSMG), a division of the Swiss-based family-owned Ringier Group, the company has shifted its focus towards enhancing its digital presence, leveraging Ringier’s expertise in digital publishing solutions. 

To achieve this, the company has rolled out several key initiatives, including improvements to the user experience with minute-by-minute commentary, gamification elements like fan tournaments and championships, and stronger community engagement on social media platforms. Live streaming is also being expanded, while the newspaper is adopting new formats with a greater emphasis on interviews, in-depth reports, and innovative video content such as Vox pops, 59’ (daily sports highlights in 59 seconds), and original series and documentaries produced by the team to showcase behind-the-scenes stories of today’s most relevant sports.

At the SBC Summit, A BOLA will be prominently featured through a co-branded interview studio (ME170), positioned adjacent to the Media Headquarters, situated between the main conference entrance and the Super Stage at MEO Arena. This prime placement will enable A Bola to not only highlight its longstanding legacy in Portugal and abroad but also to emphasise its renewed digital direction and upcoming initiatives. The studio will host a variety of live and recorded interviews with sports figures and high-profile speakers, providing extensive coverage of the event.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “Having the backing of Portugal’s foremost sports publication for our debut event in Lisbon is absolutely priceless. We’re delighted to be partnering with the best in the business, and I can’t wait to welcome A BOLA to our event and to experience their warm hospitality in their home country.

“A Bola has some fantastic plans lined up for SBC Summit. I’ve had a look at their interview studio design, and their idea to create branded walls featuring the top 10 sports moments in Portugal, selected from A BOLA’s extensive archive, will be a remarkable tribute to the country’s sports history.”

Interested in attending the SBC Summit with guest speakers like skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee, UFC star Merab Dvalishvili, Portugal’s football icon Luis Figo, and Danish former professional goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel? A Bola is offering a 50% discount on the full event pass, regularly priced at €600. Reach out to ABOLAVIPSBCS2024 to claim your discount.