-ENGLISH VERSION BELOW-
SPORT1 launches strategic partnership with Gambit Technologies
Media-for-Equity deal with the Swedish tech startup to strengthen SPORT1’s new business activities
- A strategic step – SPORT1 enters into a media-for-equity deal with Swedish tech startup Gambit Technologies AB
- A platform with a future: Gambit is redefining online chess – with AI-powered gameplay, fair matchmaking and a global community
- More than an investment – SPORT1 supports startups in entering the market while expanding its own new business portfolio
Ismaning, 14 January 2026 - SPORT1 is investing in digital innovation: The leading multi-channel sports and entertainment platform in the German-speaking region is entering into a strategic partnership with Gambit Technologies AB. The Stockholm-based tech startup is developing a powerful online chess platform that redefines the classic game – with AI-driven gameplay, fair matchmaking and an immersive, community-driven user experience.
The entry is part of a media-for-equity deal through which SPORT1 is strategically expanding its new business portfolio. The aim is to actively support startups in their market entry while at the same time strengthening SPORT1’s own business model through innovative digital partnerships.
Partnership with perspective
“With the cooperation with Gambit we are sending a clear signal for innovation and partnership,” says Manuel Atzler, Director New Business & Brand Commercial at SPORT1. “We see enormous potential in Gambit – not only in the field of gaming, but also in the way technology connects communities. Through our media-for-equity deal, we are creating the basis for growth and for increasing Gambit’s brand awareness in the German-speaking market.”
Gambit CEO and founder Viktor Brolin also looks forward to the collaboration with confidence: “Our mission is to create the best online chess platform in the world – secure, high-performing and accessible for players of all skill levels. With SPORT1, we have a strong partner who shares our vision and supports us in entering the German-speaking market.”
Innovation meets partnership
By investing in Gambit, SPORT1 is taking the next step in its new business strategy: identifying digital growth areas, entering into partnerships and driving innovation. The cooperation with Gambit combines sports, technology and community in a new way and demonstrates how SPORT1 is consistently developing its portfolio beyond traditional sports formats.
Ansprechpartner für weitere Informationen und Rückfragen:
Susanne Smoll
Communication
Sport1 GmbH
Münchener Straße 101g
85737 Ismaning
Tel. +49 (0)89 96066 2526
E-Mail: susanne.smoll@sport1.de
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ÜBER SPORT1
#mittendrin mit SPORT1: Die führende Multichannel-Sport- und Entertainment-Plattform im deutschsprachigen Raum steht für hochwertigen Live-Sport und Entertainment-Formate, ausgewiesene Kompetenz sowie eine fundierte und unterhaltsame Berichterstattung. Unter der Dachmarke SPORT1 vereint die Sport1 GmbH sämtliche TV-, Digital, Audio- und Social-Media-Aktivitäten: Zum Portfolio des Medien-Unternehmens mit Sitz in Ismaning bei München gehört der auf Entertainment und Sport fokussierte Free-TV-Sender SPORT1, der in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz auf verschiedenen Plattformen angeboten wird. Darüber hinaus bieten SPORT1.de, eine der führenden digitalen Sportplattformen in Deutschland, und die SPORT1 App, eine der erfolgreichsten deutschen Sport-Apps, aktuelle Inhalte sowie im Video-Bereich ein umfangreiches Livestream- und On-Demand-Angebot an Sportarten und Wettbewerben sowie Sport- und Entertainment-Formaten. SPORT1 ist zudem mit einem eigenen SPORT1 YouTube-Channel aktiv. Die Entertainment-Formate, die im Free-TV ausgestrahlt werden, bietet die Sport1 GmbH dem Publikum seit 2025 auch auf der neuen digitalen Entertainment-Plattform show1.tv im Livestream und on-demand an.
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ENGLISH VERSION
SPORT1 launches strategic partnership with Gambit Technologies
Media-for-Equity deal with the Swedish tech startup to strengthen SPORT1’s new business activities
- A strategic step – SPORT1 enters into a media-for-equity deal with Swedish tech startup Gambit Technologies AB
- A platform with a future: Gambit is redefining online chess – with AI-powered gameplay, fair matchmaking and a global community
- More than an investment – SPORT1 supports startups in entering the market while expanding its own new business portfolio
Ismaning, 14 January 2026 - SPORT1 is investing in digital innovation: The leading multi-channel sports and entertainment platform in the German-speaking region is entering into a strategic partnership with Gambit Technologies AB. The Stockholm-based tech startup is developing a powerful online chess platform that redefines the classic game – with AI-driven gameplay, fair matchmaking and an immersive, community-driven user experience.
The entry is part of a media-for-equity deal through which SPORT1 is strategically expanding its new business portfolio. The aim is to actively support startups in their market entry while at the same time strengthening SPORT1’s own business model through innovative digital partnerships.
Partnership with perspective
“With the cooperation with Gambit we are sending a clear signal for innovation and partnership,” says Manuel Atzler, Director New Business & Brand Commercial at SPORT1. “We see enormous potential in Gambit – not only in the field of gaming, but also in the way technology connects communities. Through our media-for-equity deal, we are creating the basis for growth and for increasing Gambit’s brand awareness in the German-speaking market.”
Gambit CEO and founder Viktor Brolin also looks forward to the collaboration with confidence: “Our mission is to create the best online chess platform in the world – secure, high-performing and accessible for players of all skill levels. With SPORT1, we have a strong partner who shares our vision and supports us in entering the German-speaking market.”
Innovation meets partnership
By investing in Gambit, SPORT1 is taking the next step in its new business strategy: identifying digital growth areas, entering into partnerships and driving innovation. The cooperation with Gambit combines sports, technology and community in a new way and demonstrates how SPORT1 is consistently developing its portfolio beyond traditional sports formats.
For further information or media inquiries please contact:
Susanne Smoll
Communication
Sport1 GmbH
Münchener Straße 101g
85737 Ismaning
Tel. +49 (0)89 96066 2526
E-Mail: susanne.smoll@sport1.de
________________________________________________________________________
ABOUT SPORT1
#mittendrin with SPORT1: The leading multi-channel sports and entertainment platform in German-speaking countries stands for high-quality live sports and entertainment formats, proven expertise and in-depth, entertaining reporting. Sport1 GmbH bundles all TV, digital, audio and social media activities under the umbrella brand SPORT1: The portfolio of the media company, which is based in Ismaning near Munich, includes the free-TV channel SPORT1, which focuses on entertainment and sport and is offered on various platforms in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In addition, SPORT1.de, one of the leading digital sports platforms in Germany, and the SPORT1 app, one of the most successful German sports apps, offer current content as well as an extensive live stream and on-demand offering of sports and competitions as well as sports and entertainment formats in the video sector. SPORT1 also has its own SPORT1 YouTube channel. Since 2025, Sport1 GmbH has also been offering the entertainment formats broadcast on free-to-air TV on the new digital entertainment platform show1.tv in livestream and on-demand.
