Competition Overview
Everything you need to know about the NHL Innovation Competition
The Challenge
We are inviting undergraduate and graduate students, whether lifelong sports fans or new to hockey, to develop ideas that can expand access, strengthen community connection, and make the game more engaging for more people.
Developed in collaboration with the San Jose Sharks Foundation, this case centers on practical, community-minded solutions that can help grow the sport in more inclusive and sustainable ways.
Teams are encouraged to think about how technology can strengthen their concept — whether through data, digital tools, AI, analytics, or connected experiences that improve access, implementation, measurement, or scale. You do not need to build a new product to succeed, but strong submissions should show how innovation can make an idea more effective and actionable.
Case Overview
How can we strengthen the future of hockey by expanding participation, improving safe access, and making the game more fun and engaging for families and communities?
Start with a problem. End with a solution.
We encourage teams to begin by identifying a specific problem or challenge, then develop a practical and innovative solution with clear implementation potential for the NHL, NHLPA, the San Jose Sharks Foundation, or community partners.
SAP X NHL
As the Presenting Partner of the Hockey Innovation Challenge, SAP and the NHL encourage all teams to actively use the SAP–NHL Innovation Competition Resource Hub to strengthen and differentiate their proposed solutions. This hub displays real co-innovations between the NHL and SAP such as the SAP-NHL Coaching Insights App for iPad, and data-driven tools used across the league that demonstrate how technology is shaping the future of hockey both on and off the ice.
By exploring these resources, teams can gain a deeper understanding of how data, analytics, and SAP platforms are already being used to enhance operations across coaching, fan engagement, and Front Office decision-making.
Examples of integrating the Resource Hub include, but are not limited to:
- Leveraging SAP Analytics Cloud as part of your solution.
- Exploring how NHL EDGE data can be applied in educational settings or used to enhance student learning experiences.
- Expanding on the Coaching Insights App to demonstrate how data can enable new app development or decision-support tools in different contexts.
- How the SAP Academic Partnership team can work with institutions to build data-driven skills and support student learning using SAP tools.
- Proposing an SAP, San Jose Sharks and NHL sponsorship marketing program that meaningfully impacts the Innovation Pillars outlined below.
Why Participate?
Real-World Impact
Your solution could help shape future programming, community initiatives, or fan engagement strategies tied to hockey growth.
Industry Exposure
Finalists will have the opportunity to present their ideas to leaders across hockey, business, and innovation.
Mentorship
Select teams may receive support to strengthen their concept, sharpen their pitch, and prepare for final presentations.
Career-Building Opportunity
The competition is designed to showcase strategic thinking, creativity, and practical problem solving in a real sports business setting.
Get Started
Form a Team
Collaborate with peers to brainstorm and develop your ideas. No more than 4 students per team.
Research
Dive into the current trends and challenges within the sports and entertainment industry.
Innovate
Think outside the box and develop a comprehensive strategic plan and business idea to solve for one or more of the pillars of innovations.
Submit
Follow the submission guidelines and submit a written report or presentation by April 13th, 2026.
Eligibility
Who can enter
The Competition is open to full-time and part-time students currently enrolled in a participating university or college in California, USA (Bay Area). A participating university or college is one which has been invited to take part in the Competition by or on behalf of the Sponsors.
Team composition
Each team must consist of a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of four (4) students. All students on a team must be enrolled at the same participating university or college. A student may not be on more than one (1) team.
Age requirement
All participants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry.
Submission
Reserve your spot
Form a team of up to 4 students and complete the registration form to officially enter the competition.
Register hereSubmit your idea
Present your idea addressing the case question and one or more of the innovation pillars.
Submit ideaReport/Presentation Guidelines
A written proposal or presentation addressing this year's challenge:
How can we reimagine hockey infrastructure to be more sustainable, multi-functional, and technologically advanced—while enhancing the family and community experience?
A focus for the case submission must address at least one (1) of the following pillars of innovation:
- Expand the Presence of Hockey in Educational Spaces
- Utilize the Sport of Hockey to Support Physical and Mental Wellness for Children
- Innovative Ways to Experience the Game for Underrepresented Audiences in Hockey
- Clearly identify a real-world problem.
- Propose a feasible, scalable solution that aligns with one or more innovation pillars.
- Include how the impact will be measured and how it could be implemented by the NHL or its Clubs.
Key Dates
Submissions Open
March 23rd, 2026
Submissions Close
April 20th, 2026
Semi-Final Interviews
April 27th - 28th, 2026
Finalists Selected
May 8th, 2026
Pitch Coaching
May 11th - May 29th, 2026
Final Pitch Event
June 1st, 2026 at SAP Center
Evaluation Criteria
Problem Definition
Is the challenge clearly defined and relevant?
Innovation & Practicality
Is the idea creative but also implementable within the NHL?
Impact
Will it increase fan engagement, grow participation, or improve operations?
Feasibility & Scalability
Can it be realistically tested or piloted within the next year?
Communication
Is the idea clearly explained and compellingly presented?