UEFA Academy Insights

Overview

The UEFA Academy Insights is a collection of publications designed to appeal to anyone interested in sport management. In particular, researchers, learning and development professionals, individuals and organisations involved in executive education and organisers of training courses and knowledge-sharing activities can find valuable recommendations and ideas grounded in the UEFA Academy’s experience and initiatives. Some issues also share projects developed by participants during UEFA Academy’s programmes. By encouraging the dissemination of such ideas beyond the classroom, we hope to keep inspiring sports professionals and organisations to consider new ways of creating value for their sports.

Each issue of UEFA Academy Insights focuses on a particular topic. The first shares the 12-step model developed by the UEFA Academy to help national associations and other sports organisations establish an education function, or review and enhance their existing one. A series of strategic questions are posed at each step, representing the choices that the organisation must make to ensure that the positioning and services of its education function are clear.

The second issue showcases ideas from participants in the UEFA Certificate in Football Management (UEFA CFM), the UEFA Academy’s foundation programme for football professionals. These ideas were developed during a workshop focused on creating new events to generate value for stakeholders across the football ecosystem. While each proposal requires further refinement, sharing them aims to inspire football organisations to explore innovative event formats that benefit fans, members and partners.

The third issue marks the 15th anniversary of the UEFA Research Grant Programme (UEFA RGP). It showcases 15 funded projects, one per year, highlighting the diversity of topics and research questions. Presented in a journalistic style, each project is based on interviews conducted in 2025. Researchers reflect on their work, its impact, and how they would approach their topic today, offering fresh perspectives to inform the future of sport research and practice.

New issues of UEFA Academy Insights will be published regularly. Printed copies can be requested in contacting the UEFA Academy.