Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) wasted no time in setting up its accelerator at home. Just weeks after unveiling the launch of PSG Labs—an initiative aimed at fostering innovation in the sports industry—at the Web Summit Qatar, the club has now confirmed the arrival of this accelerator at Station F.

By doing so, PSG becomes the first sports club to join the Parisian startup campus, which has traditionally been home to programmes run by tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Huawei, as well as major French corporations such as TF1 and L’Oréal.

Branded "PSG Lab Paris", the programme is designed to support promising sports tech startups, helping them scale within the sporting and business ecosystem of France’s Ligue 1 leader. "As a club, we are always looking for new ways to innovate and develop bold ideas to shape our future. Through this collaboration, we are proud to support the next generation of entrepreneurs who will grow alongside Paris Saint-Germain," said Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, PSG's president.

Xavier Niel’s vision: Creating "Tomorrow’s Champions"

To drive key innovations in the sports industry—both on and off the field—PSG sought an iconic location within France's tech ecosystem. Given the club’s decade-long focus on branding and social media engagement, Station F, a symbol of French Tech’s dynamism since its opening in 2017, was a natural choice.

"Station F and PSG share the same ambition: to make Paris shine. Together, we want to show the world that the future is being built here. This collaboration will foster the champions of tomorrow," said Xavier Niel, founder of Station F, who is occasionally spotted at the Parc des Princes, PSG’s home stadium. "The club’s commitment to innovation makes it a key player in the transformation of sport," added Roxanne Varza, director of the Parisian incubator.

First Hub Opened in Doha

The "PSG Lab Paris" at Station F is the second location in PSG’s accelerator network, following its first hub in Doha. More regional "PSG Labs" are expected in the coming months, tapping into the most dynamic tech ecosystems worldwide. Launching in Qatar was a logical first step, given that PSG is owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and frequently holds winter training camps in the country, which hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Through its accelerator, PSG aims to support startups working in fields closely related to its operations, including:

  • Sports performance & health
  • Fan engagement
  • Stadium & infrastructure modernisation
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Web3 & blockchain
  • Audiovisual & media
  • Cybersecurity & tech infrastructure
  • Sustainability & social impact

Each of these areas holds strategic value for PSG, whether in enhancing its on-field performance, optimising club operations, or better engaging with its global fanbase. In this context, the Station F hub acts as an innovation lab, helping sports tech entrepreneurs take flight and shape the future of the sports industry.