This study aims to reveal the reflections of the digital transformation of sports pedagogy and the integration of AI and the Metaverse in the literature. In the study, a comprehensive search was conducted in the Web of Science (WoS) database using relevant keywords, and bibliometric analyses were performed on the 386 sources and 605 documents obtained using Bibliometrix R and VOSviewer software. The analyses reveal that studies focused on digital transformation, AI, and the metaverse in the field of sports pedagogy have shown systematic development between 1997 and 2025. While a limited number of publications and low citation counts were observed in the early years, a significant increase in production was recorded from the 2010s onwards, with scientific production peaking in the 2020–2025 period. Thematic evolution and factorial analyses show that pedagogical and education-focused concepts were initially at the forefront, while concepts such as digitalization, online learning, augmented reality, blended learning, and e-learning have become central to the literature as the process progressed. Furthermore, the analyses reveal that the pedagogical, technological, and social dimensions of digital transformation in sports pedagogy have converged within an interdisciplinary framework, creating a sustainable learning ecosystem centered on teacher training, student experiences, applied sports, and technology integration. The research also highlights existing gaps in the field.

It emphasizes the need to focus on the long-term effects of augmented and virtual reality-based pedagogical models, inclusive digital learning strategies, the integration of AI and Metaverse applications in teacher education, data security and ethical dimensions, and the systematic evaluation of interdisciplinary applications. These findings provide guidance for future research in the field of digital transformation in sports pedagogy. However, there are still gaps in the literature in some areas. The main topics that future research should focus on are: the long-term effects of augmented and virtual reality-based pedagogical models, their impact on student performance, motivation, and cognitive outcomes, inclusive digital learning strategies suitable for different skill/age groups, the integration of AI and Metaverse applications in teacher education, data security and ethical dimensions, interdisciplinary collaborations, and the systematic evaluation of applied experiences. It is believed that studies in these areas will contribute to the creation of a sustainable and effective digital learning ecosystem by addressing the pedagogical, technological, and social dimensions of digital transformation in sports pedagogy.