10 Years of World Football Summit: Expanding the Business, Honouring the Essence
This year marks a milestone for us: World Football Summit turns 10. A decade connecting the football industry. Here’s how we got here, and where we’re heading. Why did WFS start in 2016? Football was changing fast. New markets, new technologies, new players entering the business with fresh ideas. Traditional stakeholders and disruptors were all […]
The 2026 WFS StartCup is officially underway: get your applications ready !
The WFS StartCup 2026 is officially underway! Hosted in partnership with EBAN Sports, this is the reference startup competition for the football industry, designed to identify and showcase projects, founders and ventures developing solutions with clear relevance for the game. The WFS StartCup aims to turn innovation into value by connecting emerging projects with decision-makers […]
From Raw Data to Narrative: How Bundesliga and AWS Use Storytelling to Drive Engagement
Personalisation in football is no longer a new concept. Different fans consume the game in different ways, across multiple devices, formats and moments. The industry has broadly accepted that reality. What remains far less common is seeing how a league translates that understanding into live, scalable products that operate at the core of the competition […]
Every Seat Counts: How Arsenal and Brentford Digitalised Passion Without Losing Their Soul
In today’s football industry, “Sold Out” is no longer the final goal. It is actually the beginning of a complex social and logistical challenge. The real test for modern stadium managers is ensuring every sold ticket translates into a person in the stands, whilst transitioning to a 100% digital model in venues built on decades […]
The Access Gap: How Rio Ferdinand Built a Media Business on Trust Broadcasters Can’t Buy
Rio Ferdinand Presents is built on trust-based access that broadcasters can’t buy. At WFS Hong Kong, he explains the “access gap” and how he monetises it through YouTube interviews and brand partnerships.
A Look Into the Commercial Playbook Behind World Sevens Football’s Rapid Success
World Sevens Football (W7F) is scaling fast with 3–4-day 7v7 “Grand Slam” events. Using WFS Madrid insights from Adrian Jacob and Anita Asante, this article breaks down the product and investment playbook behind its growth.
World Football Summit Reveals First Dates for 2026 Global Calendar
World Football Summit’s first 2026 events align with major sporting milestones: WFS Mexico in Mexico City (June 3–4) ahead of the World Cup, then WFS Madrid (September 15–16) for its 10th Anniversary Edition, with WFS Riyadh dates to be announced.
How TikTok, LiveScore and OneFootball Are Moving Beyond Algorithms to AI-Powered Hyperpersonalisation
At WFS Riyadh, TikTok, LiveScore and OneFootball explained how AI is shifting personalisation from “who you follow” to real-time hyperpersonalised content—tailored per fan without creating engagement noise.
What WFS Events Conversations Revealed About The Football Industry’s Priorities 2025
Across five WFS events in 2025—Hong Kong, Madrid, Rabat, Monterrey and Riyadh—panel analysis in three languages shows the industry shifting toward stadiums, women’s football, data-driven fan models and Africa, while blockchain and metaverse hype fades.
The Numbers Behind Saudi Arabia’s Football Transformation
At WFS Riyadh, officials and league leaders shared the data behind Saudi football’s rapid growth—from revenue and privatisation to talent pathways, women’s football and rising participation—showing an ecosystem scaling from elite performance to mass engagement.