After three years away, World Football Summit returned to Madrid — and it did so in record-breaking fashion.
With more than 2,500 attendees, 120 speakers, 35 panels and sessions, and 45 exhibitors, this year’s edition became the largest WFS event to date, reaffirming Madrid’s role as a global capital for the football industry.
Over two days, WFS Madrid gathered senior leaders from across the ecosystem to address both headline issues and long-term challenges. The debate around LaLiga’s proposed match in Miami sparked contrasting views on the globalization of domestic competitions, while other sessions focused on how to keep football competitive in an era of accelerated change and increasingly fragmented audiences.
Among the prominent voices shaping the discussion were Fernando Carro (CEO, Bayer Leverkusen), Peter Moore (former CEO, Liverpool FC), Rafael Louzán (President, Royal Spanish Football Federation), André Amaral (CEO, Liga Portugal), Chris Davis (CMO, New Balance), Luca Percassi (CEO, Atalanta BC), Lise Klaveness (President, Norwegian FA), and Nadine Kessler (Director of Women’s Football, UEFA).
Together, they explored how innovation, inclusivity, and a renewed focus on the fan experience can ensure that football remains both a thriving business and a powerful cultural force.
World Football Summit also reaffirmed its global commitment to gender balance and representation, surpassing its long-standing pledge for at least 30% of female speakers — a goal achieved and exceeded at WFS Madrid, where women represented 32% of all speakers.
Beyond the debates and networking sessions, the summit also featured cultural and social highlights, including the WFS Industry Awards, celebrating excellence and leadership across global football, and an exclusive photography exhibition by renowned artist Madeleine Penfold, capturing the beauty, emotion, and diversity of the game.
At World Football Summit, we always strive for more. With Madrid setting a new benchmark, we’re already gearing up for our next chapter — WFS Riyadh, taking place on December 10–11 in Saudi Arabia.
See you there!