UEFA Academy Summit 2026

Join us for a unique two-day event that brings together graduates from all UEFA Academy programmes to reconnect, exchange ideas, and inspire the future of sport.

DOWNLOAD PROGRAMME (12.06 MB)

23-24 October 2026 | Lisbon, Portugal

Humans After All

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.

Held every two years, the UEFA Academy Summit offers a dynamic mix of keynote speeches, interactive workshops, panels, and networking opportunities, fostering lifelong learning and collaboration among football and sports 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 next edition of the UEFA Academy Summit will take place on 23-24 October 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. Download the programme for all the information.

Event Details

Who Alumni of an UEFA Academy programme
How long 2 days
When 23-24 October 2026
Where Arena Portugal, Portuguese Football Federation (Lisbon, Portugal)
Price Early bird price: €445.- (until 30 April) Standard price: €595.- (from 1 May)

Important dates

30 Jan 2026 Registrations open
30 Apr 2026 End of early bird price
31 Jul 2026 Registrations close
23 Oct 2026 Opening of the 2nd UEFA Academy Summit, "Humans After All"

Why Attend

Reflect on how passion, emotion and human decision-making continue to shape football in a data-driven world.
Understand how to embrace technology and analytics without losing what makes the game meaningful.
Connect with UEFA Academy alumni and senior professionals to share perspectives and experiences.
More than an event, the Summit is a moment to strengthen relationships within a global learning network.

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

Programme Highlights

1. Day One - Learn, (Re)Connect, Play, Enjoy Friday 23 October 2026 - FPF Arena Portugal

Day 1 sets the tone for a human‑centred Summit, positioning technology as an amplifier – never a substitute – for judgment, empathy and trust. Our first LEARN experience, Precision with a Human Pulse, shows how data can sharpen decisions while preserving fairness and the emotion that makes football a shared story. We then (RE)CONNECT with the General Assembly of the UEFA Academy Alumni Association.
The afternoon shifts to PLAY, with curated experiences in movement, cuisine and culture designed to spark curiosity and create the informal bonds where great collaborations begin. We close with ENJOY at the Portuguese Football Federation, a convivial evening that celebrates heritage and reinforces the people‑first spirit driving the Summit’s conversations.

2. Day Two - Learn, Drive, Party Saturday 24 October 2026 - FPF Arena Portugal

Day 2 turns intent into action, keeping the human edge at the centre of every choice. We open with LEARN: Future‑Ready Careers: The Human Advantage, a broad compass for growth in sport – skills that evolve, technology that supports, and a people‑first mindset guiding the way. The programme then DRIVEs deeper through two rounds of interactive workshops and panels on leadership, technology, culture, and performance, giving space to test ideas, exchange practice, and shape what comes next.
We close the learning arc with LEARN: Stories We Play By, showing how intentional storytelling can align teams, inspire cultures, and anchor decisions in meaning – especially as automation rises. The day culminates in a festive gala, celebrating community, progress, and our shared commitment to keep football’s and sport’s future innovative, inclusive, and unmistakably human.

OUR PARTNERS

Portuguese Football Federation

UEFA Academy Alumni Association