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The NFL has announced the seventh annual Big Data Bowl competition, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), inviting the sports analytics community to participate in this crowd-sourced challenge. This year, the competition focuses on data collected before the snap, encouraging participants to generate insights and actionable predictions regarding offensive and defensive strategies after the snap.
Starting October 16, applicants can compete for $100,000 in prize money and the opportunity to present their findings to NFL teams at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Each year, Big Data Bowl participants expand the possibilities of using Next Gen Stats data alongside football knowledge. This year's challenge aims to delve deeper into players' and coaches' thought processes in the critical moments leading up to the snap," said Mike Lopez, senior director of football data & analytics at the NFL.
Past competitions have explored various aspects of the game, including running backs, defensive backs, and special teams, producing metrics that NFL teams have utilized during games. Participants will analyze player tracking data to identify patterns and tendencies exhibited before the snap.
There are three submission tracks available:
1. Undergraduate Track: Exclusively for groups or individuals who are entirely undergraduate students, with potential verification of eligibility.
2. Metric Track: Participants will analyze pre-snap data to evaluate team or player performance or strategy, focusing on specific offensive or defensive players or teams for a more impactful submission.
3. Coaching Presentation Track: This track encourages participants to create submissions designed for coaches, such as scouting reports, and partnering with a coach or former player is encouraged but not mandatory.
Big Data bowl history
Since its inception in 2018, the Big Data Bowl has served as a key resource for the football analytics community, with over 75 participants securing positions in data and analytics roles across various sports leagues, including more than 50 in NFL teams and vendors. Additionally, the NFL offers a mentorship program aimed at fostering diversity in sports analytics, connecting seasoned NFL analytics professionals with novices. This program includes individual mentoring, monthly group training sessions, and culminates in a virtual forum where mentees can present to analysts from all 32 NFL teams.
Interested participants can register for the Big Data Bowl on Kaggle.com, which has hosted the event for the past six years. Participants can work individually or in teams, and after submissions are reviewed, finalists will be announced in early 2025, competing for the shared $100,000 prize provided by AWS.
The Big Data Bowl continues to be a significant competition for data scientists and analytics enthusiasts, proving that some of the most challenging contests occur off the field.
