UEFA Academy Summit

The UEFA Academy Summit gathers alumni from across all programmes for two transformative days of inspiration, connection, and collective ambition to shape the future of football.

The UEFA Academy Summit is a unique two-day event that brings together alumni from all UEFA Academy programmes to reconnect, exchange ideas, and inspire the future of football.

Held every two years, the UEFA Academy Summit offers a dynamic mix of keynote speeches, interactive workshops, roundtables, and networking opportunities, fostering lifelong learning and collaboration among football professionals from Europe and the world.

The UEFA Academy Summit is the perfect opportunity for alumni of the UEFA Academy to foster not only new relationships but to experience a space for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The inaugural edition in Bucharest welcomed over 300 participants from all around the globe, showcasing the strength and diversity of the UEFA Academy community. By celebrating shared experiences and exploring new perspectives, the UEFA Academy Summit empowers alumni to continue driving innovation and excellence across the game.

The next edition of the UEFA Academy Summit will take place on 23-24 October 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Under the theme “Humans After All”, this edition will explore how leaders in sports can embrace innovation while keeping the human essence that makes the game so powerful.

In a time when algorithms and analytics shape so much of football, we’ll reflect on the people, their passion, emotion, and decisions, who make the game what it truly is.

We look forward to meeting again in one year, because football is, and always will be, a human story.

Faq

Who Alumni of an UEFA Academy programme
How long 2 days
When Every two year in Autumn. (Next edition: 23-24 October 2026)
Where Iconic city in Europe (Next intake: Portugal 2026)

Important dates

23 Oct 2026 UEFA Academy Summit, "Humans After All"

Takeaways

Reconnect with a global network of UEFA Academy alumni and expand professional relationships across the football industry
Gain fresh insights from leading voices in football through keynotes, panels, and interactive sessions
Stay ahead of industry trends with access to exclusive content
Leave inspired and empowered to drive positive change in your organisation and the wider football ecosystem

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

"Coming from a legal and governance background, and currently enrolled in MESGO, I found the UEFA Academy Summit to be a truly enjoyable experience. It was refreshing – and incredibly valuable – to step outside the legal and governance sphere and engage with topics like AI, innovation, leadership, and sustainability in football. The diversity of countries represented, disciplines and perspectives, from fellow alumni across all UEFA Academy programmes, challenged my thinking and broadened my understanding of football’s evolving landscape. It reminded me that to lead effectively in elite football (at club, national, and federation levels) we must all stay curious, connected, and open to learning beyond our core expertise." Arun Daniel-Selvaratnam City Group, UEFA FLP Alumnus

"As a UEFA MIP graduate, the Summit in Bucharest was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much more we can achieve together. The sessions were thought-provoking, the speakers inspiring, and the atmosphere buzzing and friendly. I left with new ideas, renewed motivation, and a deeper connection to the UEFA Academy community. It felt like being back in the classroom, but with the added strength of a wider network of peers who are all shaping the future of football in their own way." Sami Khedira UEFA MIP Alumnus