Rezzil's Premier League Games Plan

This industry analysis explores the strategic evolution of Rezzil, a Manchester-based technology firm that successfully leveraged professional sports training software to secure a high-profile consumer gaming partnership with the Premier League. The primary thesis posits that "spillover" technologies—game engines and mechanics used in non-gaming sectors—are now flowing back into the core games market, creating a sustainable pathway for developers who first establish credibility in demanding professional fields.

Rezzil’s methodology involved building a two-tier ecosystem: Rezzil Player, a consumer-facing VR training app, and Rezzil Index, a professional-grade cognitive analysis tool. By working with elite athletes like Marcus Rashford and clubs such as Manchester City, the company validated its technology in a high-stakes environment. Key data points highlight the economic impact of this trend, noting that spillover technologies from the video game sector contributed approximately £1.3 billion to the UK economy in 2021 across diverse industries like healthcare and visual effects.

The scope of the analysis covers the UK and global sports markets from Rezzil’s founding in 2017 through its 2024 four-year agreement with the Premier League. Findings suggest that the integration of game design—such as leaderboards, spatial tracking, and interactive analysis—into professional sports training has bridged the gap between elite performance and consumer entertainment. This transition is exemplified by the development of Exar, a spatial timeline tool that allows coaches and broadcasters to recreate match moments in a virtual environment.

The broader industry context includes significant restructuring within the sector, such as the closure of Roll7 by Take-Two Interactive and the expansion of regulatory oversight for iPadOS under the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Ultimately, the analysis concludes that Rezzil’s success represents a shift in business strategy, where proving technical utility in professional sectors can serve as a powerful launchpad for major intellectual property licensing in the gaming industry.