sportami

Sportami is a digital platform and community initiative designed to increase participation in sports by connecting players, coaches, venues, and leagues through a mobile app and accompanying website. It supports a wide range of sports, from casual pick-up games to organized leagues, and emphasizes accessibility, safety, and data privacy.

The project emerged in the early 2010s from a collaboration among software developers, local clubs, and city agencies. After a successful pilot in a mid-sized city, it expanded through partnerships with municipalities and sporting bodies. By the late 2020s, Sportami reported millions of registered users and thousands of active programs worldwide.

Key features include matchmaking and schedule tools, secure messaging, skill and fitness tracking, and venue booking. The platform supports equipment sharing, coach marketplaces, and tiered access for clubs and schools. It also implements safety measures such as user verification, parental controls for youth accounts, and data export options.

Sportami supports pick-up games, formal leagues, youth development programs, adaptive and inclusive sports, and community tournaments. Organizers can create events with participant limits, scoring, standings, and live updates, while participants can rate games and coaches to help maintain quality and accountability.

Sportami is overseen by the Sportami Foundation, an international nonprofit organization focused on community sport development. Revenue comes from optional premium memberships, sponsorships, and grants. The foundation publishes privacy reports and operates under codes of conduct designed to protect participants, including minors.

Analysts note that the platform has expanded access to sports in many regions and supported local club ecosystems. Critics argue that data collection must be transparent and that commercialization should not undermine community goals. Overall, Sportami is viewed as a tool to lower participation barriers in grassroots sport.