Superloop to boost Australia Cup with live AI-powered streams

Superloop has entered into an agreement to serve as Football Australia's telecommunications partner for the Australia Cup and to provide connectivity infrastructure supporting live broadcasts using AI camera technology.

The sponsorship will see Superloop support more than 750 community teams participating in the Australia Cup, providing exposure for players from a wide range of backgrounds by enabling matches against larger teams through the national competition.

As part of the partnership, Superloop will deliver connectivity essential for the automated production and live broadcast of matches at key Football Australia and Member Federation venues. The infrastructure provided by Superloop will enable delivery of 4K resolution streams to platforms including YouTube, over-the-top (OTT) services, and other domestic and global media outlets.

One of the first sites to benefit from this agreement is Darwin Football Stadium. The venue now features dedicated high-speed nbn connectivity provided by Superloop. This infrastructure supports the automated live production of all Men's and Women's Premier League games in the NorthZone competition.

Ben Colman, Chief Marketing Officer at Superloop, said, "Superloop is thrilled to partner with Football Australia to support their flagship national competition, the Australia Cup."

Colman added, "Grass roots sport in Australia connects people. It brings together fans and players from every corner of the nation, united by a shared passion."

He continued, "The Australia Cup will see more than 750 community teams get the opportunity to showcase their skills and take on some of the bigger guys. That attitude – self-belief, the doing what you love, the shaking up the way the game is played - nothing feels more Superloop than that. We're so proud to be able to partner with Football Australia to support these players and their families, and to do our bit to share their feats widely."

In addition to the Australia Cup sponsorship, Superloop has entered into a separate, term-aligned arrangement with Football Australia to roll out connectivity infrastructure needed to enable AI camera technology. This technology will be used to deliver automated 4K streams from venues to a variety of media channels, allowing a greater audience to access football content from across the country.

Daisey Stampfer, Group Executive, Business & Wholesale at Superloop, explained, "Refreshing the internet isn't just a tagline for us at Superloop. It's absolutely how we approach every conversation with every potential partner. We want to find new ways to enable, to connect, to amplify, and to bring to life the vision our partners have. And that's what we're doing in this connectivity partnership with Football Australia."

Stampfer also said, "We're excited to be playing a role in supporting the broadcast of grass roots football and unlocking opportunities for future innovation via our high-performance network. I can't wait to see these stadiums come online as we roll out the infrastructure and I can't wait to see those community clubs give it a red hot go in the Australia Cup."

James Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Football Australia, commented on the significance of the collaboration.

"This partnership with Superloop signifies a pivotal moment in our digital transformation journey. In today's connected world, high-speed, reliable internet infrastructure is paramount. Superloop's expertise and technology will allow us to deliver a more dynamic and engaging live streaming experience to fans nationwide, while unlocking cost efficiencies and new revenue streams for the sport."

Johnson continued, "Superloop's support as the official telecommunications partner for the Hahn Australia Cup will amplify the reach and excitement of this prestigious competition, connecting fans across the country like never before."

The new agreements are expected to expand live broadcast capabilities and enhance digital engagement for Australian football, improving the accessibility of grass roots and elite competition for audiences nationwide.