Sofascore recently became the place to be for data enthusiasts, hosting the first-ever ClickHouse meetup in this part of Europe. It wasn’t just another tech event, it was a gathering of some of the brightest minds in data engineering and analytics, all eager to exchange ideas and explore the power of real-time big data processing.
With ClickHouse’s co-founder and CTO, Alexey Milovidov, as the special guest, the event provided a rare opportunity to find out about the technology behind one of the world’s most advanced open-source databases. For Sofascore, this was more than just an event, it was a statement about our commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sports analytics.
A Historic Event for the IT Community
The highlight of the event was the presence of Alexey Milovidov, co-founder and CTO of ClickHouse. His keynote speech titled ”My Favorite ClickHouse Features 2024” offered deep insights into the database’s evolution. ClickHouse is at the core of numerous high-profile companies like eBay, Netflix, Spotify, Microsoft and recently even DeepSeek.
Milovidov highlighted ClickHouse’s open-source nature and pointed out Sofascore’s unique and efficient approach to using ClickHouse:
“Sofascore is a great example of how ClickHouse can be used in a self-managed environment. They run it on bare-metal servers in their data centers, optimizing performance at a high level. We appreciate this approach because it showcases the flexibility of ClickHouse, you can run it in the cloud, on your own servers, or even on a laptop. Sofascore has found a way to use it effectively to handle real-time sports data processing.”
Alexey Milovidov, co-founder and CTO of ClickHouse
The event also featured multiple expert talks and interactive discussions, allowing attendees to engage directly with ClickHouse specialists.
What is ClickHouse and Why Does It Matter?
ClickHouse is an open-source, column-oriented database designed for fast data processing. Unlike traditional databases, it executes analytical queries with exceptional speed, making it ideal for industries that rely on real-time insights.
Valued at $2 billion, ClickHouse is trusted by some of the world’s biggest companies, including Sony, Cloudflare, and DeepSeek. Its ability to handle massive data volumes with minimal latency has positioned it as a critical tool in modern data infrastructure. Businesses in finance, cybersecurity, sports analytics, and telecommunications rely on ClickHouse to gain instant insights that brings you smarter decision-making.
Jakov Vidulić’s Presentation: Bringing ClickHouse to Life
One of the standout moments of the meetup was a presentation by Jakov Vidulić, a Data Engineer at Sofascore. His talk titled ”Scoring Big and Breaking ClickHouse at Sofascore’‘ focused on how Sofascore uses ClickHouse to process real-time sports data, ensuring fans receive instant updates on statistics, scores, and analytics. Vidulić shared practical examples of how ClickHouse enables fast query performance, allowing Sofascore to handle high data loads during major sporting events without compromising speed or accuracy. His session offered attendees a behind the scenes look at how sports analytics are evolving.
What This Means for Sofascore
For Sofascore, real-time data processing is at the heart of its platform. With millions of users relying on fast and updated statistics, integrating high-performance solutions like ClickHouse is important. The technology enables Sofascore to process and deliver complex sports analytics with great speed and precision, making sure that users receive the most accurate insights possible.
Sofascore’s CTO Josip Stuhli emphasized how important was this event for the regional IT community:
“It was a great honor to host the first ClickHouse meetup in the region and welcome Alexey Milovidov to Sofascore. We are always looking to invest in technological development and share knowledge, and events like this help strengthen the IT community while driving innovation in data analytics,”
Josip Stuhli, Sofascore’s CTO
A Step Toward Future Innovation
The first ClickHouse meetup in the region is just the beginning. Sofascore plans to continue investing in best technologies and events that bring together experts, developers, and data enthusiasts. By creating a space where innovation succeeds, Sofascore is paving the way for new breakthroughs in sports analytics and real-time data solutions.
With big data playing an increasingly critical role in today’s digital landscape, ClickHouse’s impact will only continue to grow. As Sofascore strengthens its data infrastructure, it maintains its commitment to delivering outstanding sports analytics, making sure fans get faster, smarter, and more reliable insights than ever before.
Check out the full photo gallery from the meetup, expert talks, discussions, and networking sessions
