OPN opens Opta data to clubs beyond elite budgets
OPN has partnered with Stats Perform’s Opta brand to integrate elite football data into its athlete management platform, giving more clubs a lower-cost route to connected performance, recruitment and player development insights.
OPN has agreed a partnership with Stats Perform’s Opta brand that will integrate match and performance data into its Digital Athlete Passport and wider athlete management platform.The agreement is designed to give clubs a more complete view of player performance, readiness, development and availability through one connected system, while reducing reliance on multiple platforms and spreadsheets.OPN co-founder Aaron Wildig said: “Football data has become incredibly powerful, but it has not always been accessible or easy for every club to access in a way that is practical day to day.“This partnership with Opta is an important step because it helps us bring trusted performance data into the same environment as the other information clubs already use around player readiness, wellbeing, development and availability.”OPN already combines medical, wellbeing, scheduling, communication and performance information, with the Opta integration adding deeper match analytics to support recruitment, player development and daily decision-making.The company’s core platform is free to use, with revenue generated through optional services, integrations and partnerships, giving clubs a more affordable route to elite-level data without requiring expensive infrastructure.Wildig said: “Clubs should not need huge budgets or multiple disconnected systems to understand their players properly, and players should not lose visibility simply because their story is spread across different platforms, reports and conversations.“By integrating Opta data into OPN PLAY, we can give clubs a more complete picture of performance and potential, while helping players build a Digital Athlete Passport that travels with them throughout their career.”Stats Perform chief revenue officer Steve Xeller said: “Opta has been trusted by clubs, leagues and federations around the world for decades because of the quality, depth and reliability of our data.“Through this partnership with OPN, we’re making those trusted insights easier for more clubs to access within the tools they already use every day.”OPN currently works with more than 50 professional clubs across the UK and is the official Digital Athlete Passport partner of the Professional Footballers’ Association’s pre-season programme for out-of-contract players.The integration will combine Opta analytics with GPS metrics, physical testing, wellness information and development records, creating a broader player profile for coaches, recruitment teams, medical staff and players.OPN is also extending the platform to younger athletes, positioning the Digital Athlete Passport as a record that can follow players throughout their development and professional careers.