Blokotech has added World Cup winner Marco Materazzi to its SiGMA World programme, appointing the former Italian international as an ambassador for the Bloko Padel Tour.

Materazzi will attend the event in Rome on Wednesday 4 November, making a special appearance as the tour concludes its 2026 season with a Grand Finale at Pavilion 9.

The partnership gives Blokotech’s padel programme a prominent Italian sporting name as the tour arrives in Rome following events in Buenos Aires, Malta, Miami and Mexico City.

Marco Materazzi said: “I've always believed the best things happen when passion meets competition. Padel has that same fire I found on the football pitch: intensity, teamwork, the will to win. As a passionate player myself, it’s a sport I have a real affinity with and I'm proud to be part of the Bloko Padel Tour in Rome.”

The Bloko Padel Tour will operate throughout SiGMA World, offering delegates matches, entertainment and opportunities to network. Blokotech owns the tour and is bringing the experience directly into the exhibition.

Salvatore Messina, Co-Founder & CEO of Blokotech, added: “Marco is one of the most recognisable names in Italian football, so we’re incredibly proud to welcome him as an ambassador for the Bloko Padel Tour.

“Padel has become an important part of how we bring people together around the Blokotech brand, and having a World Cup winner like Marco involved takes that to another level. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to Pavilion 9 to experience the action, connect with the industry and be part of the tour at SiGMA World.”

Materazzi’s career included five Serie A titles and a UEFA Champions League victory with Inter Milan. He was also instrumental in Italy’s 2006 World Cup final win, scoring the equaliser against France and converting a penalty in the shootout.

The ambassador agreement comes alongside continued development of Blokotech’s iGaming software business. The company offers modular casino and sportsbook technology and an end-to-end B2B platform to support operator launches and growth.

Its technology ecosystem includes more than 14,000 games from over 90 providers, sports betting solutions and AI-powered tools that use behavioural segmentation to support personalisation and automated bonuses.

Blokotech has also expanded into prediction markets through BlokoPredict. The white-label engine enables operators to introduce prediction markets with trading, pricing, settlement and compliance infrastructure provided as part of the solution.

Following the Grand Finale on 4 November, Pavilion 9 will host further entertainment on Thursday 5 November, including a Super Cup between the Bloko Padel Tour winners and the media tournament winners.

Delegates can meet Blokotech’s technology team at Hall 5, Stand 5035.