- September 30, 2025
- Posted by: SportsV
- Categories: Home News, Industry News, News, Press Releases
iXpole is taking another key step in its development by joining the fanxp group. Thanks to this acquisition, its VIP hospitality management solution for sports and entertainment will enrich fanxp’s innovative ecosystem.
This strategic move enables the Belgian company to strengthen its presence on the international market, primarily in France, while offering its users a wider range of perfectly complementary services.
For iXpole, joining fanxp represents a tremendous opportunity to accelerate its growth by leveraging direct synergies with the solutions already adopted by the group’s customers.
fanxp, a major player in the world of sports and entertainment
The company was born in 2008, when Dang Tran and Thomas Kouck launched the dtc ticketing platform, which was adopted by the Roland-Garros tennis tournament that very year. In 2013, Paris Saint-Germain also chose dtc for its ticketing system.
From then on, the story gained momentum, with more than 20 of France’s leading sports organisations joining: Olympique de Marseille, Lille OSC, Olympique Lyonnais, AS Monaco, Stade Français, Stade Toulousain, as well as major events such as the MotoGP Grand Prix of France and the Rugby World Cup 2023.
Building on this success in ticketing, Dang Tran launched extent in 2017, a solution designed to facilitate online transactions and integrations with accounting and management platforms.
2021 marked another turning point with the addition of nextxp, a front-office ticketing solution.
Luc Vanhecke, Co-founder, iXpole, and Michiel Van Cauwenberghe, New Business Manager, Club Brugge, are among the 60+ speakers at next week’s SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition, taking place at Villa Park, October 6-7th. An Opening Night Icebreaker will kick things off at bp pulse LIVE on October 5th, and the event will close with a tour of BCFC’s St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park on October 7th. iXpole client venue, Xiaomi Arena, are among the 270+ attendees.
As the portfolio grew to three distinct services, it was time to bring them together under one strong identity. That’s how the fanxp group came to life.
Since then, the group has continued expanding:
• 2023: the integration of bfan, a mobile app for fans
• 2024: the creation of ibxp, a ticket cancellation insurance solution
• 2025: the launch of dataxp and cloudxp
Today, more than 60 clients trust fanxp solutions in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany and Italy.
iXpole: Belgian leader in hospitality
Since its creation in 2017 by Joeri Vlemmings and Luc Vanhecke, iXpole has established itself as the go-to solution for premium hospitality management and operations.
With a unique positioning and a relentless focus on client experience, iXpole has steadily grown its feature suite:
• VIP Portal: self-service for partners to manage invitations, services, and guests
• VIP Booker: a fast booking channel, customisable in just a few clicks
• VIP Desk: a mobile app for welcoming and checking in VIPs, with instant key info
• Analytics & dashboards: real-time insights to measure satisfaction and ROI
What started as a spin-off project from RSC Anderlecht has since conquered Belgian football giants like Club Brugge, Standard Liège, KRC Genk, Royal Antwerp FC and Sporting Charleroi.
And it didn’t stop there: iXpole expanded to event leaders such as AFAS Dome, Golazo Experiences, Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, and even the Xiaomi Arena in Riga. Today, its footprint stretches across the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, and Latvia.
By joining the fanxp group, iXpole is enhancing its offering with complementary products that meet the needs expressed by its customers.
Why the integration makes sense
For iXpole, the next natural step was international growth. France, with its size, cultural proximity, and appetite for integrated tools, was the obvious market. Clients increasingly demanded solutions that connected with ticketing and accounting systems.
For fanxp, the missing piece was a robust tool to manage premium hospitality. Add their ambition to expand internationally, and the match was clear: shared goals, shared values, and a shared drive to innovate while keeping a close bond with clients.
What’s next
This integration gives iXpole’s clients a single entry point to the full fanxp solution suite. Even better: new product connections are already being built. For instance, iXpole is already integrated with C-Pay, extent’s online payment tool, live at several iXpole clients today.
For fanxp, the story continues with the launch of fanxp Benelux, its very first international office. This makes fanxp Benelux the go-to hub for sports and entertainment organisations across the region.
Dang Tran, CEO of fanxp, said:
“In a context where clubs are under pressure to diversify their revenues, the acquisition of iXpole by fanxp reflects our commitment to providing tools that help grow turnover through the automation and personalisation of hospitality experiences. It is also an opportunity to benefit from a geographical location that allows us to open our first international office, with the talent that has shaped iXpole’s success.
“Together, we’re building a complete suite of services and shaping fanxp’s ambition to become a true European leader in sports and entertainment.”
Luc Vanhecke, Co-founder of iXpole, said:
“Becoming part of the fanxp adventure is a historic milestone for iXpole. This partnership not only opens the doors to a new market but also gives us the firepower and credibility to enter it, and to expand beyond. Equally important, this alliance allows us to deliver new services to our existing loyal clients, who are dear to us, and whom we want to continue supporting in the professionalisation of their operations.”
Source & imagery, courtesy: iXpole
SVB LIVE events focus on elevating the ‘live experience’ through the key pillars of Architecture & Design, Commercialisation, Customer Journey, Fan Experience, Hospitality, Interiors & Fit-Out, Premium & VIP, Sustainability and Technology.
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