WFS Madrid - Where legacy meets innovation

WFS Madrid is the meeting point connecting the tradition and legacy of European football with the business innovation expanding the industry worldwide. It’s the platform where those who built the game’s foundations engage with those scaling it across new markets and audiences. This is where the sport’s legacy connects with the forces driving its transformation.

15-16 September 2026 – La Nave, Madrid

Key Figures

Key
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Attendees Profile

Atendees

Past Speakers

Past
Speakers

Giorgio

Chiellini

Head of Football Institutional Relations – Juventus Football Club

Giorgio

Chiellini

I’m a professional former football player, transitioning now in the management position. Part of Common Goal and other social initiatives.

Nadine

Kessler

Director of Women’s Football – UEFA

Nadine

Kessler

Nadine Kessler is the current Director of Women’s Football at UEFA. in this role Nadine leads that strategic direction of women’s football through Unstoppable 2025-30 and is the main contact for all football and non-football stakeholders. She uses her role to pass on her knowledge for the good of the women’s game and aims to further develop the sport in all corners of Europe, as well as to take UEFA’s women’s competitions to new heights.

Lise

Klaveness

Football President – Norwegian Football Association

Lise

Klaveness

During a 14-year professional career, Lise Klaveness earned 73 caps for Norway and finished as a runner-up at UEFA Women’s EURO 2005. She also helped Swedish club Umeå FC reach the 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup final. While playing, she earned a master’s degree in law, subsequently working as an assistant judge in the Oslo district court and as a special adviser to Norway’s central bank.A return to football came in 2018 when Klaveness was named technical director at the Football Association of Norway (NFF).

Rafael

Louzán

President – Real Federación Española de Fútbol

Rafael

Louzán

Rafael Louzán Abal has been President of the RFEF since December 2024, after a decade leading the Royal Galician Football Federation. Known for his expertise in sports management, he drove the modernization and digital transformation of the Galician federation, significantly increasing its asset value. Earlier in his career, Louzán worked in public administration, bringing governance experience to his leadership in Spanish football.

Víctor

Montigliani

President of CONCACAF & Vice President of the FIFA Council.

Víctor

Montigliani

Victor Montagliani is a Canadian businessman who is the current president of CONCACAF. He is also a vice president of the FIFA Council. He is a former player of Columbus F.C. In his professional career, he was a manager at Hogan & Cox Insurance Adjusters in Maple Ridge before being transferred to Vancouver in 2003. He was the president of the British Columbia Soccer Association in 2005. He was voted in as president of the Canadian Soccer Association in May 2012.

Peter

Moore

Owner – Santa Barbara Sky Football club

Peter

Moore

Currently the Owner of Santa Barbara Sky Football Club, Peter Moore brings his vast experience from many leadership roles in major sports and entertainment brands like Liverpool FC, EA Sports, etc to the local football scene. His passion now lies in building a successful and community-focused club.

Ronaldo

Nazário

Chairman – Real Valladolid C.F.

Ronaldo

Nazário

Ronaldo Nazário de Lima has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Real Valladolid since 28th of September, 2018. In his sporting career, he won The World Football Championship with Brazil, in 1994 and 2002. He also was awarded three times with the FIFA World Player, and another two times with the Golden Ball.

Alexis

Ohanian

Founder – Seven Seven Six

Alexis

Ohanian

Alexis Ohanian is a tech founder and venture capitalist. He’s written a national bestselling book, Without Their Permission, and co-founded Reddit, one of the largest websites in the U.S. currently valued at more than $10B. In 2020 he founded Seven Seven Six, a new firm built like a technology company that deploys venture capital with over $750M assets under management.

Stephen

Pagliuca

Co-Chairman – Atalanta B.C.

Stephen

Pagliuca

Mr. Pagliuca is a Principal Owner and Co-Chairman of Atalanta B.C.. Under his stewardship, Atalanta captured its first major title in more than 60 years by winning the Europa League in May 2024. In U.S. sports, Steve partnered with the Grousbeck family in 2003 to acquire the Boston Celtics, where he served as a Managing General Partner, Co-Owner, and a member of the NBA Board of Governors. Under his leadership, the Celtics won NBA Championships in 2008 and 2024.

Cindy

Parlow-Cone

President – US Soccer Federation

Cindy

Parlow-Cone

The first female President of U.S. Soccer, Cindy Parlow Cone was re-elected to a four-year term on March 5, 2022, and is currently one of only seven female Federation presidents across FIFA’s 211 member associations.

Javier

Tebas

President | LALIGA

Javier

Tebas

Javier Tebas Medrano, LALIGA President since 2013, holds a Law degree from the University of Zaragoza. His leadership has focused on financial control, collective audiovisual rights, internationalisation, innovation and data, while advancing the fight against piracy and violence, supporting women’s football and sharing LALIGA’s expertise to help football grow globally.

Muhammad

Yunus

Peace Nobel Laureate 2006 & Chairman – Yunus Sports Hub

Muhammad

Yunus

Recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, Professor Muhammad Yunus is the founder of the first institution who offered microcredits, and the father of the social business movement – two concepts that have now been replicated in most of the countries around the world. Over the last 40 years, Muhammad Yunus has created a large network of experts, now present in over 150 countries, helping to solve social issues and improving the lives of millions of people through social business in all the major industries.

Grace

Ahrens

Grace

Ahrens

Grace Ahrens is the Executive Director of Women in Soccer, an organization committed to creating opportunities for women and people with underrepresented gender identities who work (or want to work) in soccer. Growing up in Mexico and with over 10 years of experience in workforce development, branding and media, she brings a deep understanding of diversity and expertise in driving inclusive solutions.

Beatriz

Álvarez

Beatriz

Álvarez

Beatriz Álvarez Mesa is currently the President of Liga F since June 2022 and vice president of Spanish Football Federation. A former footballer for Oviedo Moderno, she was also the President of the club from July 16, 2009 until in September 2019, when she became the first woman to hold the position of General Director of Sports of Asturias in that province. Having played football since 12, she went through all the lower leagues with OM until reaching the first team in 2000, from which she retired at the age of 22.

Andre

Amaral

Andre

Amaral

André Mosqueira do Amaral is CEO of Liga Portugal, leading media rights centralization and football’s strategic growth. With 20+ years in global investment banking (Credit Suisse, UBS), he advised major clients on M&A and capital markets. An entrepreneur and LSE Economics grad, he bridges finance, strategy, and innovation across sports, wellness, tech, and industry.

Fernando

Carro

Fernando

Carro

Fernando Carro has been CEO of Bayer 04 Leverkusen since 2018, leading the club to its first Bundesliga title in 2024, along with the DFB Cup, Supercup, and a Europa League final. He represents the Bundesliga as an ECA board member, sits on Bundesliga International’s supervisory board, and contributes to UEFA committees. Previously, he spent 24 years at Bertelsmann, including as CEO of Arvato, and served as international president of AIESEC.

Chris

Davis

Chris

Davis

In his role as Brand President and CMO, Chris Davis is responsible for New Balance’s product and demand creation initiatives around the globe to maximize the brand’s impact with a consumer first vision through elevated branding vision, world-class partnerships and articulated product distribution strategies. Chris Davis is recognized by Forbes as one of the Most Influential CMO, ranking 12th in 2023, 8th in 2024, and 2nd in 2025.

Nadine

Kessler

Nadine

Kessler

Lise

Klaveness

Lise

Klaveness

Rafael

Louzán

Rafael

Louzán

Peter

Moore

Peter

Moore

Stephen

Pagliuca

Stephen

Pagliuca

Gaia

Pretner

Gaia

Pretner

Gaia Pretner joined ECA in May 2023 as Head of Sustainability and launched ECA’s first sustainability strategy in April 2024. She is a sustainability management expert with experience in different sectors from major events, MNCs, Federations and trade associations. Before joining ECA she worked as Sustainable Procurement Manager for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, Sustainability and Circular Economy researcher and consultant for Bocconi University and as Sustainability expert for EXPO Milano 2015 and UNI.

Luis

Ureta

Luis

Ureta

Luis Ureta is CEO of Sportian, Globant’s sports tech division, leading digital innovation to transform fan and athlete experiences. He drives global growth through AI-powered, data-centric solutions for sports entities. With prior roles at Dentsu, Havas, Alibaba, and as VP Europe at Globant, he brings deep international expertise in scaling digital businesses.

Past Participants

Past
Participants

Partners

Rights holders

Brands

Service Providers

Content Tracks

The Strategic Core

Governance, Ownership & Leadership

The Economic Engine

Investment, Commercial Growth & Global Strategy

The Operational Edge

Innovation, Technology & Data

The Global Audience

Media, Content & Fan Engagement

The Core Asset

Performance, Science & Talent Development

The Cultural Catalyst

Culture, Purpose & Impact

The

Strategic

Core

Governance, Ownership & Leadership

The

Economic

Engine

Investment, Commercial Growth & Global Strategy

The

Operational

Edge

Innovation, Technology & Data

The

Global

Audience

Media, Content & Fan Engagement

The Core

Asset

Performance, Science & Talent Development

The Cultural Catalyst

Culture, Purpose & Impact

WFS Madrid In images

WFS Madrid
In images

Strategic Debates

Strategic
Debates

“We don’t want to be in 99% of the teams,

we want to be in that 1% of teams that stand out on and off the field.”

Andrew McGarty

Director Sports Marketing Global Football- New Balance

“We no longer compete against other clubs.

We compete with the likes of Netflix, TikTok, Spotify, video games…

We’re competing for people’s attention.”

Marco Castellaneta

Marketing Director – Juventus

“The main difference between managing a football organisation

and other type of companies is that you have to accept that your influence

in the sporting success of the organisation is limited.”

Fernando Carro

CEO – Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH

“Playing matches abroad can be good for leagues since

it’s an opportunity to grow and serve the millions

of fans they have in other countries.”

Rafael Louzán

President – Real Federación Española de Fútbol

“Women’s football is not a victim, it’s a rising star.

Investors come for real business and we must ensure their money

strengthens clubs and infrastructures.”

Nadine Kessler

Director of women’s football – UEFA

“Football is losing space, and this can’t happen.

We need to focus on innovation, and the future.”

Lise Klaveness

Football President – Norwegian Football Association

“It’s very special for us to host the Most Inclusive Match.

Accessibility has been a top priority for many years.

We want all of our community,

regardless of disability to experience our matches.”

Cindy Johnson

President of TFC Foundation – Toulouse Football Club

“We don’t want to be in 99% of the teams,

we want to be in that 1% of teams

that stand out on and off the field.”

Andrew McGarty

Director Sports Marketing Global Football- New Balance

“We no longer compete against other clubs.

We compete with the likes of

Netflix, TikTok, Spotify, video games…

We’re competing for people’s attention.”

Marco Castellaneta

Marketing Director – Juventus

“The main difference between managing a football organisation and other type of companies is that you have to accept that your influence in the sporting success of the organisation is limited.”

Fernando Carro

CEO – Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH

“Playing matches abroad can be good for leagues since it’s an opportunity to grow and serve the millions of fans they have in other countries.”

Rafael Louzán

President – Real Federación Española de Fútbol

“Women’s football is not a victim, it’s a rising star. Investors come for real business and we must ensure their money strengthens clubs and infrastructures.”

Nadine Kessler

Director of women’s football – UEFA

“Football is losing space,

and this can’t happen.

We need to focus on innovation,

and the future.”

Lise Klaveness

Football President – Norwegian Football Association

“It’s very special for us to host the Most Inclusive Match. Accessibility has been a top priority for many years.

We want all of our community, regardless of

disability to experience our matches.”

Cindy Johnson

President of TFC Foundation – Toulouse Football Club

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WFS Panels: Thought leaders in action

WFS Panels:
Thought leaders in action

Reception Dinner by Teamwoks

Presented by Team Works, this year's Reception Dinner celebrated our return to Madrid in style — an exclusive evening held on one of the city’s most iconic rooftops, offering guests breathtaking views of the capital and a perfect prelude to WFS Madrid.

Check out the photos

Networking

With over 2,000 professionals in attendance, WFS Madrid transformed La Nave into a vibrant hub of ideas and collaboration, redefining the networking experience through its open and dynamic spaces.

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WFS Awards by Turkish Airlines

A truly magical night at Madrid’s legendary Joy Eslava, the WFS Awards Ceremony honoured outstanding achievements in global football, with 135 nominations from 20 countries and a spectacular performance by illusionist Jorge Blass.

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Female Leaders Gathering

This celebration of women's leadership continues to grow and inspire — uniting women who are redefining what progress and leadership mean in football. This year’s edition featured Beatriz Álvarez Mesa, President of Liga F, alongside leading voices from the sports media in a powerful celebration of female leadership.

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Speakers´ Corner

Innovation took flight at the Speakers Corner, presented by Turkish Airlines, where startups and entrepreneurs introduced groundbreaking projects ready to take off and redefine the game.

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StartCup

The WFS StartCup made its return this year, attracting 81 applications from over 20 countries. Ten startups reached the final stage, with US-based VRTL taking home the top prize in front of a packed audience.

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Clubs, Leagues & Federations Cocktail by FXP

Presented by FXP, the Clubs, Leagues & Federations Cocktail connected senior football leaders from dozens of clubs, with Peter Moore offering inspiring reflections from his career

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Workshops, Masterclasses & other activities

From TikTok’s new approach to athlete storytelling to data-driven growth and sustainability, WFS Madrid sessions showcased innovation in sport — while GBS and FBA masterclasses connected students with top executives to discuss employability and industry insights. In parallel, the B2B meeting programme facilitated hundreds of targeted business connections among clubs, brands, and investors

Check out the photos