๐ŸŽ“ Gen-next Challenge 2026

The FEI Gen-next Sport Innovation Challenge invites post-secondary students to develop bold, practical solutions that can help shape the future of equestrian sport, with a focus on fan engagement, technology, fairness, and the next generation of sports innovation.

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ThinkSport × FEI · 7th edition

Welcome to the FEI Gen-next Sport Innovation Challenge 2026

For the chance to make a real difference!

As part of ThinkSport's Sport Innovation Challenges, the Gen-next Challenge is designed to inspire and engage participants from bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs by giving them the opportunity to tackle real-world problems faced by the sports industry.

In its 7th edition, the challenge is run by ThinkSport in partnership with the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport.

Student teams research, develop, and pitch innovative solutions to two real problems FEI is actively working to solve. The best teams advance to an on-site final event (with the possibility to be done online) in November 2026.

7thedition
2real FEI challenges
Nov 2026final event
FEI auditorium at the federation headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland
Inside the federationFEI auditorium · Lausanne, Switzerland

We believe that the talent, creativity, and fresh perspectives of the next generation can help move sport forward. By joining the FEI Gen-next Challenge 2026, universities give their students the opportunity to work on concrete sport innovation topics, connect academic learning with real industry needs, and contribute with ideas that can support the future of equestrian sport.

Choose from 2 Categories

Topic 1

Make equestrian sport instantly understandable for new fans

 

How can equestrian sport become easier to understand for first-time viewers?
Teams will design a simple visual solution that helps new audiences quickly understand what is happening, why it matters, and what to watch.

 

 

CLICK HERE

Topic 2

 How can technology support more consistent and transparent flag judgements in Eventing cross-country?

 

How can technology support officials in close and complex flag judgement situations?
Teams will explore decision-support solutions that can improve consistency, transparency, and confidence in the review process.

 

CLICK HERE

 

 

Timeline

ThinkSport × FEI · 7th edition

The journey from registration to the final pitch

Follow every phase of the FEI Gen-next Sport Innovation Challenge 2026, from university confirmation and team registration to workshops, mentoring and the final event in Lausanne.

Jun–Nov2026 challenge journey
2FEI innovation topics
27 NovFinal Pitching Day
Programme timeline

One clear path, step by step.

Each phase helps teams move from understanding the challenge to developing, submitting and presenting a practical solution.

1 June–
31 August 2026
01

University confirmation

Academic partners

Universities confirm their participation and promote the challenge to eligible students.

1–30
September 2026
02

Student registration

On Agorize

Students create their profiles, form teams of 3 to 5 and select one of the two FEI challenge topics.

15 September 2026
15:00–16:30 CEST
03

Kick-off event

Online · recording available

Meet the organisers, discover the two FEI use cases and understand the challenge objectives, rules, deliverables, platform and next steps.

View the 90-minute agenda
15:00–15:10
Welcome and overview of the two use cases (ThinkSport Team)
15:10–15:30
Introduction to the FEI (Derek Vivien, FEI)
15:30–15:45
Athlete perspective and Q&A (Sam Watson, EquiRatings)
15:45–15:50
Short break
15:50–16:05
Use Case 1: Fan Engagement (Derek Vivien and Sam Watson)
16:05–16:20
Use Case 2: Technology and Fairness in Eventing (FEI Eventing Department and Sam Watson)
16:20–16:30
Challenge platform, next steps and final Q&A (ThinkSport Team)
21 September–
5 October 2026
04

Workshops & mentoring

Develop your solution

Build your project with support from your dedicated mentor and gain practical input directly from FEI experts. 

Both sessions will happen in the same day.

29 September · 14:00–15:00 CEST

FEI Deep Dive #1 · Fan Engagement

Explore the topic in more depth and access practical information to support your project. Online session; recording available.

29 September · 15:30–16:30 CEST

FEI Deep Dive #2 · Technology and Fairness in Eventing

Explore the Eventing use case and gather details to support the development of your solution. Online session; recording available.

8 November 2026
05

Submission deadline

Key milestone

Teams submit their completed challenge entry on Agorize for the local selection phase.

9–15
November 2026
06

Local selection

Flexible by university

Teams present their projects to their university. One team per challenge topic can be selected for the Final Pitching Day.

16–20
November 2026
07

Final preparation

Finalists only

Finalists refine their presentation deck and prototype, using feedback from their dedicated coach to prepare for the jury.

27 November 2026
08

Final Pitching Day

FEI Headquarters · Lausanne

The top finalists pitch their solutions to an expert jury at FEI Headquarters, with the option to participate online.

  • 5-minute pitch presentation per group
  • 5-minute jury Q&A

Questions about the programme?

[email protected]

Final Pitching Day

At the final event in December 2026, selected finalist teams will be invited to pitch their solutions to an expert judging panel composed of key representatives from FEI and the sport innovation ecosystem.

This final stage will give students the opportunity to bring their ideas to life, present their work in a professional setting, and show how their solutions could help make equestrian sport more accessible, transparent, and engaging for future audiences.

Get ready to pitch your ideas and help shape the future of equestrian sport!

Participate