Program overview
Who is it for?
The NRL Magic Round Innovation Partnership supports innovative Queensland-based businesses to adapt, refine and showcase technologies that address real-world challenges across the NRL, its clubs, partners and broader Rugby League ecosystem.
The program encourages organisations from both sports and non-sports sectors to tailor their solutions to meet the needs of the NRL, demonstrating how innovation can drive improvements in performance, fan experience, operations and commercial outcomes.
NRL Magic Round Tech Showcases
As part of the three year partnership, DETSI Innovation has supported the NRL Magic Round with a Tech Showcase each year to demonstrate leading Queensland technologies in sport and major events.
The 2026 NRL Magic Round Tech Showcase highlighted the strength and diversity of Queensland's innovation ecosystem, featuring cutting-edge technologies with the potential to create meaningful impact across Rugby League, its clubs, partners and sponsors.
Participating organisations exhibited under one of two streams:
Stream 1 – Sports Innovation
- Player performance and welfare
- Fan engagement
- Operational efficiency
- Grassroots innovation and participation growth
Stream 2 – Platform Technologies
- Sustainability and circular economy
- Connected infrastructure and smart venues
- Digital consumer engagement and retail innovation
Businesses from a wide range of industries were encouraged to adapt and apply their technologies to address opportunities within either stream.
Watch the 2026 Magic Round Tech showcase video.
Program evolution
The partnership has continued to grow and evolve each year:
2024 – Tech Showcase
At the inaugural NRL Magic Round Tech Showcase, 22 Queensland businesses presented innovative solutions focused on areas such as:
- fan engagement
- event operations
- data management
- athlete performance
- broadcast innovation.
2025 – Tech Sprint and Showcase
In 2025, the program expanded to include both a Tech Sprint and Tech Showcase.
Eight businesses were selected to participate in the 10-week NRL Magic Round Tech Sprint, undertaking:
- five core one-hour workshops
- weekly mentoring sessions with NRL subject matter experts.
The program helped participants refine and tailor their products and services to better meet the needs of the NRL and its stakeholders.
2026 – LuminaX HealthTech Accelerator, Pilot Projects and Showcase
In 2026, the collaboration reached another milestone with the NRL becoming a key partner of the LuminaX HealthTech Accelerator. This partnership strengthens connections between health technology, athlete performance, wellbeing and elite sport, creating new opportunities for innovation across the Rugby League sector.
Further, some of the previous showcase companies were successful in implementing their technologies with a NRL club and Sport and Major Event stakeholders through pilot projects.
Learn more
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Contact
For further information or queries regarding the NRL Magic Round Innovation Partnership and opportunities please contact partnerships2@detsi.qld.gov.au.