The sports event planning industry in the US thrives on organizing, managing, and executing a variety of sporting events. Companies in this sector range from event organizers and promoters to technology firms that provide ticketing, marketing, and analytics solutions. Recent years have seen a surge in demand for innovative experiences, personalized fan engagement, and virtual attendance. With technology at its core, the industry is witnessing rapid growth, adapting to new trends such as esports, analytics, and sustainability. Insights suggest that in the near future, hybrid events will play a key role in reshaping the fan experience and enhancing service offerings.


The list of sports event planning investors includes various types, such as corporate firms, venture capitalists, and private equity groups. With headquarters in major hubs like California and New York, they pursue diverse strategies and have dealt with hundreds of sports companies between them. From industry stalwarts like Live Nation Entertainment, which has made five investments in 2024, to agile players like Y Combinator with its impressive 802 deals that year, these investors continue to reshape how sporting events are organized and executed.


Top 14 Sports Event Planning Investors in the US


1. Government of Canada

  • Website: canada.ca
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Canada, Kentucky, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 137
  • LinkedIn: government-of-canada

The Government of Canada is a public entity that provides a wide range of services and information to Canadian citizens and residents, addressing various needs including employment, immigration, health care, and taxation. Founded in 1999, it operates through multiple departments and agencies to ensure access to essential services and support for individuals and businesses across the country. In 2023, the Government of Canada has been involved in several significant transactions related to sports event planning, including grants to Richmond Event Management for $60,000, Curling Canada, and the Pacific National Exhibition for $10,000,000. These transactions highlight the government's role in supporting sports initiatives and community events, showcasing its commitment to enhancing the sports landscape in Canada.


2. 500 Global

  • Website: 500.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 98
  • LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. Among their notable transactions, 500 Global has invested in Sportwey, a company that raised funds in a seed round in January 2018, and Malaeb, a mobile app for footballers in the GCC region that raised funds in multiple seed rounds. These investments highlight 500 Global's engagement in the sports sector, particularly in technology-driven solutions that enhance sports participation and event planning.


3. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies through a structured program that includes resources like the Startup School and co-founder matching services. Y Combinator has successfully launched over 4,000 startups, establishing itself as a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Notably, Y Combinator has invested in Let’s Do This, a UK-based endurance event marketplace, participating in their Seed, Series A, and Series B funding rounds. This involvement highlights Y Combinator's interest in the sports event planning sector, as Let’s Do This aims to expand its marketplace for endurance sporting events, indicating a strategic alignment with the sports industry.


4. Live Nation Entertainment

  • Website: livenationentertainment.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Beverly Hills, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: live-nation

Live Nation Entertainment is a leading live entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, California, founded in 1996. The company specializes in producing concerts, selling tickets, and connecting brands to music, while also facilitating live performances and sponsorship opportunities. With a global presence, Live Nation manages a vast network of events and artists. Notably, they have made strategic acquisitions that enhance their footprint in the event planning space. For instance, their acquisition of Ticketmaster Belgium aims to expand their presence in a vibrant live entertainment and sports scene. Additionally, their stake in the Rock in Rio festival, South America's largest music festival, showcases their capability in managing large-scale events. Their acquisition of Mellen Events, the largest touring company in Western Australia, further solidifies their operations in major cities, including potential sports events. Overall, Live Nation's diverse portfolio and strategic acquisitions position them as a key player in the sports event planning industry.


5. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

The Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors to connect them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. The fund has been involved in several notable transactions, particularly in the sports sector. For instance, it participated in the funding of Jump, a startup aimed at personalizing the fan and ticketing experience for sporting events, which raised a total of $30M. Additionally, the fund invested in Baseball United, a startup that raised an undisclosed amount in a seed round, further emphasizing its commitment to the sports industry. These investments reflect the fund's strategic focus on enhancing the sports event experience and engaging with innovative companies in this space.


6. FJ Labs

  • Website: fjlabs.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 169
  • LinkedIn: fj-labs

FJ Labs is a venture capital firm based in New York, founded in 2015, that specializes in investing in marketplace and network effect businesses. With a portfolio of over 1,000 companies, many achieving unicorn status, FJ Labs provides capital and strategic guidance to entrepreneurs across various industries, including e-commerce and logistics. Notably, they have invested in Let’s Do This, which raised $5 million in a seed round in 2019, and Playtomic, a tennis and padel social and booking app that raised significant funding in multiple rounds, including €56 million in a Series C round. These investments highlight FJ Labs' engagement in the sports event planning sector, making them a relevant player in this industry.


7. Elysian Park Ventures


Elysian Park Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in the sports industry, providing capital and strategic advisory services to companies at various stages of growth, particularly in sectors intersecting with sports, technology, health, and commerce. Elysian Park Ventures has been involved in several notable transactions, including a $15 million Series B investment in LeagueApps, which aims to enhance youth sports participation through its mobile app and charitable initiatives. They also invested in Vaunt, a startup focused on sports and entertainment, which is exploring the NFT space. Furthermore, Elysian Park Ventures has made significant investments in SeatGeek, a leading ticketing platform, which plays a crucial role in sports event planning by facilitating ticket sales and access to various sporting events. These transactions highlight Elysian Park Ventures' commitment to supporting innovation and growth within the sports sector.


8. Plug and Play Tech Center


Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They connect startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities. With a focus on technology, they have made significant investments across multiple sectors. Notably, they have invested in Blinkfire Analytics, a sports tech startup that raised funding to enhance social media ROI for professional sports organizations. This investment highlights their engagement in the sports sector, alongside other transactions such as Brella, Evnts, and CrowdPass, which, while not directly related to sports, showcase their diverse portfolio in technology-driven solutions. Their model of facilitating partnerships and providing resources positions them as a valuable player in the sports event planning industry.


9. Stadia Ventures


Stadia Ventures is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in the sports and esports sectors, providing funding, accelerator programs, and mentorship to startups and entrepreneurs. Stadia Ventures aims to help these companies navigate the challenges of growth and innovation within the sports industry. Notable transactions include investments in Fancam, a sports-tech startup that raised $100,000, and Realife Tech, which raised $7.2 million in a Series A round. These investments highlight Stadia's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the sports sector, making them a key player in the sports event planning landscape.


10. Blackstone

  • Website: blackstone.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 57
  • LinkedIn: blackstonegroup

Blackstone Inc. is a prominent investment management firm based in New York, specializing in alternative investments. Founded in 1985, the firm offers a diverse range of services, including private equity, real estate, and credit solutions to both institutional and individual investors. Blackstone focuses on building strong businesses and delivering lasting value through its extensive portfolio and investment strategies. Notably, Blackstone has made significant strides in the sports event planning context through key acquisitions such as the NEC Group, which encompasses various venues for events, and PSAV, a global leader in event experiences. Additionally, their involvement in the acquisition of the YES Network highlights their commitment to enhancing sports content delivery, further establishing their footprint in the sports industry. These transactions reflect Blackstone's strategic interest in sectors that support and enhance sports event planning.


11. Goodwater Capital

  • Website: goodwatercap.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Burlingame, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2014
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 41
  • LinkedIn: goodwater-capital

Goodwater Capital is a venture capital firm based in Burlingame, California, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in consumer technology and supports seed-stage entrepreneurs by providing investment, resources, and a community to help them grow. Goodwater Capital has a diverse investment portfolio that spans various sectors, including healthcare and financial services, with a mission to improve access to technology solutions for underserved communities. Notably, Goodwater has invested in Fever, a live-entertainment platform that has raised significant funding, indicating a strong interest in the live event space, which is closely related to sports event planning. Additionally, their participation in the funding round for Better Opinions, a prediction market startup, suggests an engagement with sports-related activities, further aligning them with the sports event planning industry.


12. Accel

  • Website: accel.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 101
  • LinkedIn: accel-vc

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983, based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in investing in startups and early-stage companies primarily in the technology sector. The firm has a global presence with offices in San Francisco, London, India, and China. Notably, Accel has been involved in several funding rounds for SeatGeek, a prominent ticketing platform that raised a total of $238 million in Series E financing led by Accel in 2022, along with previous investments in Series D, C, and B rounds. This consistent support for SeatGeek highlights Accel's commitment to the sports event planning industry, as SeatGeek plays a crucial role in facilitating ticket sales for various sports events. Additionally, Accel has invested in Airmeet, a virtual events platform, which, while not exclusively focused on sports, contributes to the broader events landscape.


13. Intel Capital

  • Website: intelcapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1991
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: intelcapital

Intel Capital is a venture capital firm based in Santa Clara, California, founded in 1991. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor technologies. In addition to its core focus, Intel Capital has made significant investments in the sports technology sector. For instance, it participated in the funding rounds of ScoreStream, which enhances sports engagement through its platform, and WSC Sports, which provides innovative solutions for sports content and distribution, including applications in OTT, NFTs, and sports betting. These investments demonstrate Intel Capital's commitment to supporting technology that can transform the sports event planning landscape.


14. Gaingels

  • Website: gaingels.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Burlington, Vermont, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 60
  • LinkedIn: gaingels

Gaingels is a venture capital firm founded in 2015, based in Burlington, Vermont, dedicated to investing in companies with diverse leadership. The firm provides capital and support to startups, particularly those led by underrepresented groups, to foster diversity and inclusion in the innovation economy. Gaingels has been involved in several notable transactions in the sports sector, including investments in Sports Innovation Lab, which focuses on sports technology and analytics, and Overtime, a media company that creates sports content for younger audiences. These investments highlight Gaingels' engagement in the sports industry, particularly in areas that intersect with event planning and management. Additionally, Gaingels offers scholarship programs and advisory services to enhance board diversity, further supporting the growth of inclusive practices within the sports event planning industry.



Sports Event Planning Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Government of CanadaCanada, Kentucky, United States (USA)10001+1999137
500 GlobalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)201-500201098
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
Live Nation EntertainmentBeverly Hills, California, United States (USA)10001+19965
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
FJ LabsNew York, New York, United States (USA)11-502015169
Elysian Park VenturesLos Angeles, California, United States (USA)1-1020163
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
Stadia VenturesSt. Louis, Missouri, United States (USA)1-1020150
BlackstoneNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000198557
Goodwater CapitalBurlingame, California, United States (USA)51-200201441
AccelPalo Alto, California, United States (USA)51-2001983101
Intel CapitalSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)11-50199123
GaingelsBurlington, Vermont, United States (USA)11-50201560


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