OpenActive

OpenActive is a community-led initiative to get more people active using open data.

OpenActive is a community-led initiative, launched in 2016, that aims to address the problem of inactivity in the UK by helping people get active using open data. The initiative is stewarded by the Open Data Institute, supported by Sport England, and guided by organisations and engaged individuals working within the sport and physical activity sector.

OpenActive is an example of a sector change programme: organisations collaborating to tackle a sector-level social problem with data, using an open approach. The aim of sector programmes is to create impact both through addressing the problem and by embedding good data practices and business models.

OpenActive is not a Smart Data Scheme, but it is an important example of a community-led approach to data access. In sectors where regulatory powers are unable to carry out a mandate for a Smart Data Scheme, industry associations and other organisations may want to take a community-led approach.

Sport England started funding the initiative in 2016, and has helped accelerate OpenActive’s growth and reach across the sector to where it is today through this funding and championing the initiative with key players. But participation in the initiative is not mandated by Sport England and organisations decide whether to join based on the value they attribute to it.

Although not mandated, OpenActive has delivered a lot of value to end users of physical activity and leisures services, as well as society more broadly.

This data ecosystem map shows how activity providers in the OpenActive data ecosystem can reach new customers by publishing open data:

By allowing the open publishing of opportunity data, activity providers are able to improve their market reach to existing and potential customers. Explore the map here.

Key info

Description: The OpenActive data standards are designed to make it as easy as possible to publish and use "open opportunity data" - open data about where, when and what activities are taking place.

Owner: OpenActive

Sector: Sport and Leisure, Health

Duration: 2016 -

Cost: To date, Sport England has provided £3.5 million of National Lottery funding.

Participants

Participants include:

• Local authorities

• Sports-tech startups

• Leisure operators

• Charities

• Community groups

Data

• OpenActive Opportunity Data Dashboard

Impact description

An external assessment of OpenActive estimates benefits of:

• up to £3 million per year in health costs avoided

• up to a £20 million per year increase in productivity

• up to 100 premature deaths avoided per year

Case study

The value of sharing data for improving market reach