SPORTS
The Future of Soccer Is Off the Pitch: How Leisure and Entertainment Are Changing the Game
The most powerful figures in world soccer are heading to Madrid next month for a summit that could reshape the entire sport — and it’s happening inside one of Europe’s most iconic stadiums.
Atlético de Madrid is hosting THE FORUM on April 23rd at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, developed in partnership with Apollo Sports Capital under the theme “Leaders Inspiring the World.” Club CEO Miguel Ángel Gil will chair the day.
The names attending tell you everything about the stakes involved. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, LALIGA President Javier Tebas, Paris Saint-Germain’s powerful chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi — who also chairs the European Club Association — Inter Miami CF owner Jorge Mas, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas, and Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida are all confirmed.
“We are proud that the home of all Atléticos, will become a meeting point for international leaders in sports, leisure, and entertainment—three sectors whose boundaries are blurring as they strive to enhance the experience for millions of fans worldwide,” Gil said in a press release.
Seven sessions will run throughout the day under the concept of “The Leader’s Journey” — a framework drawn from Professor Joseph Campbell’s landmark book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, in which every hero must be transformed by their journey before they can truly lead.
The sessions will tackle the biggest forces reshaping soccer and sport: the evolution of monetization in elite soccer, how private investment funds are redrawing the boundaries of sports ownership, how Spanish companies Cabify, Fever and Mahou cracked the global market, the strategic power of major sports brands, the role of technology and creativity in generating new business, the explosion of streaming and gaming as fan engagement tools, and how fan momentum is driving sporting innovation.
The day will close with “The Return with the Elixir” — a bespoke dinner experience created by Dabiz Muñoz, chef at DiverXO and three-time winner of Best Chef in the World.
Visit www.theforum.es.
