[Guide] The 2026 Sports Playbook: Win the Year of the Fan

Your blueprint for full-funnel fan engagement in the biggest sports year yet.

Fan expectations have changed. They’re now always connected, emotionally invested, and engaged long before kickoff and long after the final whistle. With a packed calendar of global sporting events ahead, your brand needs more than just a media plan. You need a playbook.

Our 2026 Sports Playbook goes beyond standard ad placements to help you build immersive, emotionally resonant strategies that connect with fans at every stage of their journey.

Inside, you'll discover how to:

• Own the Fan Journey
  Engage across the full fan lifecycle—from the pre-game buzz to live moments and post-game reflection.
  
  
• Activate in Real Time with DECO
  Leverage dynamic, contextual media like our Sports Ticker to drive attention when it matters most.
  
  
• Target with Precision
  Use fan intelligence and behavioral insights to reach the right audiences, in the right moment.
  
  
• Break Through the Noise
  Create fan-first campaigns that scale across platforms and channels.