Sportradar reports slight decline in suspicious matches in 2025

Sportradar has reported a marginal global decline in suspicious sporting matches during 2025, reflecting what the company describes as a stabilisation in integrity risks across monitored competitions. According to its latest annual publication, Integrity in Action 2025: Global Analysis & Trends, the number of suspicious matches worldwide decreased by 1 percent compared to the previous year.

The findings are based on the monitoring of more than 1,000,000 sporting events across 70 disciplines. The company identified 1,116 matches as suspicious during the reporting period. Sportradar emphasised that over 99.5 percent of the events analysed showed no signs of suspicious activity.

The report provides a statistical overview of integrity risks in global sport and outlines developments in monitoring technology, enforcement activity and education programmes. It does not allege wrongdoing in any individual case beyond the identification of suspicious betting patterns and related indicators.

Global overview of suspicious match trends

The 1 percent year on year reduction in suspicious matches suggests relative stability in the overall integrity landscape. While the decrease is modest, it marks a continuation of targeted monitoring efforts across regulated and emerging sports markets.

Europe recorded the highest number of suspicious matches in 2025. However, the region experienced a reduction of 66 cases compared to 2024. This decline continues a downward trajectory observed in previous reporting cycles.

South America also registered improvement, with 64 fewer suspicious matches identified year on year. These reductions were partially offset by moderate increases in Asia, Africa and North and Central America. The company described these increases as measured rather than dramatic.

The data indicates that integrity challenges remain geographically diverse rather than concentrated in a single jurisdiction. Sportradar attributed variations to multiple factors including regulatory maturity, market development and reporting mechanisms.

Distribution of cases across sports

Soccer remained the sport with the highest number of suspicious matches in 2025. The report recorded 618 flagged fixtures worldwide. Given soccer’s global reach and the volume of competitions staged annually, the company noted that exposure levels are inherently higher compared to smaller sports.

Basketball ranked second with 233 suspicious matches. Tennis accounted for 78 cases, table tennis 65 and cricket 59. Other disciplines monitored across the 70 sports contributed the remaining cases.

The distribution underscores that integrity risks are not limited to a single sport. Instead, the data reflects the broad scope of monitoring activity across professional and semi professional competitions.

Sportradar did not attribute causation to specific organisations or competitions. The report focuses on detection patterns and statistical trends rather than legal findings of match manipulation.

Technology and AI driven detection systems

A significant operational development during 2025 was the continued implementation of Sportradar’s AI powered Universal Fraud Detection System. The system uses machine learning algorithms to analyse betting market data in real time. It is designed to detect irregular betting patterns that may indicate potential manipulation.

According to the company, suspicious matches identified through AI analysis increased by 56 percent compared to 2024. Sportradar indicated that this increase reflects enhanced detection capability rather than a proportional rise in manipulation itself.

The adoption of automated systems has allowed for faster identification of irregular market activity. The report suggests that emerging manipulation techniques increasingly require adaptive technological responses. By leveraging machine learning, the company aims to identify anomalies that may not be visible through traditional monitoring methods.

Sportradar stated that technological innovation remains central to maintaining effective oversight in a complex global betting environment.

Enforcement and sporting sanctions

Integrity monitoring does not end with detection. In 2025, Sportradar supported 125 sporting sanctions across seven sports and six continents. These sanctions were imposed by relevant sporting bodies following their own investigative and disciplinary procedures.

The company clarified that it provides analytical support and evidence packages to competent authorities but does not independently issue disciplinary measures. With the 2025 figure included, the total number of sanctions supported by Sportradar historically now exceeds 1,000.

This enforcement record demonstrates cooperation between integrity service providers and sports governing organisations. The report emphasises that collaboration remains a cornerstone of effective match fixing prevention.

Expansion of integrity education programmes

Education initiatives formed another key pillar of integrity efforts during the year. Sportradar reported that more than 34,000 participants took part in its Integrity Education programmes in 2025. This represents a 25 percent increase compared to 2024.

These programmes are typically delivered to athletes, officials and support staff. The aim is to raise awareness about the risks of match manipulation, reporting obligations and the legal and disciplinary consequences of involvement in corrupt practices.

The expansion of educational outreach reflects a preventative strategy. By strengthening awareness at grassroots and elite levels, integrity service providers seek to reduce vulnerability to approaches from illicit actors.

Official commentary from SPORTRADAR

Commenting on the report’s findings, Andreas Krannich, Executive Vice President, Integrity Services at Sportradar, said:

“The relative stabilisation of suspicious match numbers in 2025 is encouraging, yet it reinforces the importance of continued vigilance. Match-fixing remains an evolving threat and sustained investment in technology, intelligence, education and collaboration is essential to staying ahead of those seeking to corrupt sport.”

The statement underscores the company’s view that even modest declines should not lead to complacency. Integrity threats are described as adaptive and capable of shifting across regions and sports.

Integrity services at major international events

During 2025, Sportradar delivered integrity services for several high profile international competitions. These included the expanded FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Women’s EURO.

Looking ahead to 2026, the company plans to provide support at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, the FIFA World Cup in North America and the Olympic Winter Games in Italy.

Such partnerships illustrate the role of integrity monitoring at major global tournaments. The objective is to ensure that large scale events with significant betting interest are subject to comprehensive oversight.

Regulatory context and industry collaboration

The broader integrity environment continues to evolve alongside the growth of regulated betting markets. As jurisdictions refine licensing regimes and data sharing agreements, cooperation between betting operators, sports bodies and monitoring companies has become more structured.

Sportradar’s report indicates that sustained collaboration across stakeholders is necessary to address cross border risks. Manipulation attempts can involve multiple jurisdictions, betting platforms and intermediaries. Coordinated intelligence sharing is therefore essential.

The report does not suggest that any specific market faces systemic failure. Instead, it frames integrity protection as an ongoing process requiring vigilance and adaptation.

Conclusion

Sportradar’s 2025 integrity analysis presents a measured assessment of the global match fixing landscape. The 1 percent decline in suspicious matches, combined with regional improvements in Europe and South America, indicates relative stability rather than dramatic change.

At the same time, moderate increases in other regions and the continued prominence of soccer and basketball highlight that risks remain present. The expansion of AI driven detection tools and education initiatives suggests a multi layered approach to prevention.

Importantly, the data reflects suspicious indicators rather than confirmed findings of manipulation. Enforcement decisions remain within the jurisdiction of relevant sporting authorities.

As major international competitions approach in 2026, integrity monitoring is likely to remain central to preserving confidence in professional sport. Continued technological investment, cross sector cooperation and preventative education appear to form the foundation of current strategies.

FAQs

What is the main finding of Sportradar’s 2025 integrity report?
The report found a 1 percent global decrease in suspicious sporting matches compared to 2024.

How many sporting events were monitored in 2025?
More than 1,000,000 events across 70 sports were monitored worldwide.

How many suspicious matches were identified?
A total of 1,116 matches were flagged as suspicious during the year.

Which sport recorded the highest number of suspicious matches?
Soccer had the highest number with 618 suspicious matches identified.

Did all regions see a decline in suspicious matches?
No. Europe and South America recorded decreases while Asia, Africa and North and Central America saw moderate increases.

What role does AI play in detection?
Sportradar uses an AI powered Universal Fraud Detection System to analyse betting data and identify irregular patterns in real time.

How many sanctions were supported in 2025?
Sportradar supported 125 sporting sanctions imposed by relevant authorities.

What is the purpose of integrity education programmes?
These programmes aim to educate athletes and officials about match fixing risks and reporting obligations.

Are suspicious matches automatically proof of wrongdoing?
No. Suspicious indicators require further investigation by competent sporting authorities before any conclusions are reached.

Which major events will receive integrity support in 2026?
The company plans to support the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Winter Games.