UEFA Strategic Foresight in Sport (UEFA SFS)
The UEFA Strategic Foresight in Sport is a compact course designed for decision-makers in sport who want to strengthen their strategic thinking and leadership in a rapidly changing world. This fully immersive programme equips participants with a foresight mindset and the tools and skills needed to explore plausible futures, anticipate change and drive meaningful transformation within their organisations, for immediate impact.
Why Futures Thinking?
Futures thinking or foresight is the discipline of systematically exploring possible futures to inform decisions made today. In an era defined by rapid change, complexity and uncertainty, foresight is no longer a luxury, it is a strategic necessity. Unlike traditional planning, which often relies on linear projections, foresight embraces the volatility of our world and equips leaders with tools to navigate it. It enables us to explore a range of plausible futures – not to predict what will happen, but to imagine what could happen. This exploration fosters a deeper understanding of emerging trends, risks and opportunities within the sports sector. Most importantly, foresight empowers leaders with a sense of agency: the ability to shape the future rather than merely respond to it.
Quick view
Faq
- Who Industry leaders in sport (not restricted to football) and related sectors, senior strategy managers
- When Every second year First intake: 12-16 January 2026
- How long One full week (on-site from Monday lunchtime to Friday evening; participants are encouraged to travel on Sunday/Saturday)
- Where Orsières, Switzerland
- Price €5,400 (including accommodation in private room, all meals and drinks)
- Number of participants 24 (max)
- Certification Certificate of completion by UEFA Academy
- Language English
- Application We review applications all year round as they arrive; however, there is a specific deadline for the upcoming edition of each programme. When the number of places is limited, you may have a better chance of being selected by applying earlier in the application cycle. You will either receive confirmation that you have been selected within two weeks of applying or be added to an application list and informed of the decision once the deadline has passed.
- Inclusivity, Diversity and Parent Support We welcome all participants from diverse backgrounds and cultures, recognising the unique value that diversity brings to our community. If you have any uncertainties about meeting specific programme criteria, we encourage you to reach out to us. in addition, the UEFA Academy is aware of the challenges parents of young children can be facing when perusing continuous education. Should you believe it could be an obstacle to your education journey, contact us to learn more about the support the UEFA Academy can offer in that regard.
Important dates
- 23 Jun 2025 Applications open for the 1st edition
- 15 Sep 2025 Applications close for the 1st edition
- 12 Jan 2026 Seminar starts
- 16 Jan 2026 Seminar ends
Programme Outcomes
- Develop a sound expertise in foresight and be equipped with a toolkit to expand your strategic thinking and planning processes.
- Gain access to a living database of trends and scenarios highly relevant for the future of sports and of your organisation.
- Cultivate a mindset that embraces uncertainty and see our rapidly changing world as an ocean of opportunities.
- Practice how to transform your teams and organisation to become more resilient and future-ready.
- Build a network of like-minded senior professionals with whom you will develop individual and collective agency to shape the future of sport.
Roadmap
We open the programme by confronting a fundamental truth: the future will not be what we assume.
Day 1 is about challenging our mental models and embracing complexity. Through key foresight concepts and tools, we’ll begin to move beyond simplistic views and develop a richer, more nuanced understanding of what the future could hold. This is the first step in expanding our strategic thinking.
“The future is already here—it’s just not evenly distributed.”
This quote by William Gibson sets the tone for Day 2. We’ll learn to detect early signals of change and identify emerging trends. Together, we’ll co-create a “Future of Sport Radar”—a living tool that will guide our strategic thinking for years to come.
On Day 3, we build scenarios; not to predict the future, but to explore a range of possibilities and strengthen our ability to navigate uncertainty.
During this day, we will exercise our creativity and refine our storytelling, essential skills for our leadership skillset.
The future is not something we passively await, it is something we actively shape. On Day 4, we’ll define our aspirations for the future of our organisations and identify the north star that will guide us there.
Using playful yet powerful tools, we’ll bring our visions to life and strengthen our capacity to lead with purpose.
On Day 5, we return to the present with renewed clarity and purpose. The goal of our foresight journey has always been to generate immediate impact.
Equipped with new tools, skills, and mindsets, we’ll revisit our strategies to ensure our teams, processes, and initiatives are ready to thrive in an always changing world. The future starts today.
What our experts say
