Meetup at CHI2026 Barcelona, 14 April 16.30-18.00

preprint: sportshci_meetup_chi2026.pdf

Sports Human-Computer Interaction (SportsHCI) is a growing field that is dedicated to investigating the coming together of human-computer interaction and sports. Sports inherently involves mobile, playful, and ubiquitous technologies as well as human augmentation—making SportsHCI directly relevant to these subcommunities. By framing discussions around AI in the athlete experience and the role of multifaceted sports data, we create natural entry points for researchers across these domains. We invite participants to discuss their thoughts on these topics to foster collaboration among research groups.

Open invitation:

🚀 Exploring the Future of SportsHCI with AI — Join Us at CHI 2026!
What happens when human-centered design, sports, and AI truly come together?

We’re bringing together the SportsHCI community and beyond for an interactive, movement-driven meet-up at CHI EA ’26 in Barcelona — and you’re invited.
💡 This session is designed for researchers, practitioners, and innovators across:
• SportsHCI
• User-Centered AI
• MobileHCI
• CHI PLAY
• ISWC / UbiComp
• Augmented Humans

⚡ Why join?
Because the future of sports is being shaped right now — through AI-powered coaching, wearable data, immersive training, and new forms of human augmentation.

But key questions remain:
👉 How can AI truly enhance the athlete experience — not just optimize it?
👉 How do we make sense of massive, complex sports data without overwhelming users?
👉 How do we keep sports technology human-centered, inclusive, and meaningful?

🧠 What to expect:
• Dynamic, small-group discussions
• Movement-based and interactive formats (yes, we’ll get you moving!)
• Cross-disciplinary exchange with diverse perspectives
• A chance to shape a shared research agenda for the future of SportsHCI
🤝 Whether you’re working on AI, wearables, games, data, or human experience — this is your space to connect, collaborate, and co-create what’s next.
Let’s break silos, spark ideas, and build the future of SportsHCI together.

📍 CHI ’26 — ROOM 131
🗓️ April 14, 16.30-18.00 2026

Join us and be part of the conversation.

Organizers:

  • Vincent van Rheden, University of Salzburg
  • Michelle Adiwangsa, Australian National University
  • Maria Fernanda Montoya, Monash University
  • Ian Smith, University of New Brunswick
  • Don Samitha Elvitigala, Monash University
  • Daniel Harrison, Northumbria University
  • Amon Rapp, University of Turin
  • Alexander Meschtscherjakov, University of Salzburg
  • Florian ‘Floyd’ Mueller, Monash University