Rio Ferdinand

The Access Gap: How Rio Ferdinand Built a Media Business on Trust Broadcasters Can’t Buy

Rio Ferdinand Presents is built on what broadcasters can’t buy: trust-based access to players. At WFS Hong Kong, he explains the “access gap” and monetises it through YouTube interviews and brand partnerships.

January 20, 2026

A Look Into the Commercial Playbook Behind World Sevens Football’s Rapid Success

World Sevens Football (W7F) has scaled fast with 3–4-day “Grand Slam” events and a high-action 7v7 format built for engagement. Drawing on WFS Madrid insights from Adrian Jacob and Anita Asante, this article outlines the product and investment playbooks behind W7F’s growth.

January 14, 2026

World Football Summit Reveals First Dates for 2026 Global Calendar

World Football Summit has aligned its first 2026 events with key sporting milestones across major markets. WFS Mexico takes place in Mexico City on June 3–4 ahead of the FIFA World Cup, followed by WFS Madrid on September 15–16 for its 10th Anniversary Edition, with WFS Riyadh dates coming soon.

January 9, 2026

How TikTok, LiveScore and OneFootball Are Moving Beyond Algorithms to AI-Powered Hyperpersonalisation

At WFS Riyadh, TikTok, LiveScore and OneFootball outlined how personalisation is moving beyond “who you follow” to AI-powered hyperpersonalisation in real time. With generative and agentic AI, they can tailor story and format per fan—without turning engagement into noise in the moment.

January 5, 2026

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—an analysis of panels in three languages maps where the football industry’s attention is shifting. Stadiums, women’s football, data-driven fan models and Africa lead, while blockchain and metaverse hype fades.

December 29, 2025

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.

December 17, 2025

Global fan behavior and data strategies dominate WFS Riyadh Day 2

WFS Riyadh Day 2 focused on shifting fan behaviour—fragmented viewing, player-first fandom and content beyond the 90 minutes. Sessions showed how leagues are using data, personalisation and measurable sponsorship ROI to stay relevant year-round.

December 11, 2025

The evolution of Saudi Football takes the global stage at Day 1 of WFS Riyadh

WFS Riyadh Day 1 showcased Saudi football’s transformation one year after the 2034 World Cup award, spanning privatisation, commercial growth, talent pathways, women’s football and participation. European leagues also shared rights and internationalisation strategies for the MENA market.

December 10, 2025

World Football Summit announces the winners of the WFS Riyadh honours by Arena E+V 2025

World Football Summit (WFS) has announced the winners of the WFS Honours 2025, recognising the individuals and organisations driving football's transformation in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region.

December 9, 2025

WFS Riyadh set to welcome 2,500+ leaders as Saudi Football takes global stage

WFS Riyadh 2025 will convene 2,500+ leaders from 80+ countries one year after Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup award. With 150+ speakers across Saudi football, global leagues and major tech platforms, it will tackle investment, innovation, fan engagement and media rights.

December 8, 2025

Farkhunda Muhtaj, Footballer and Activist, Named Ambassador for WFS Riyadh’s Female Leaders Gathering

Farkhunda Muhtaj has been named Ambassador for WFS Riyadh 2025’s Female Leaders Gathering, recognised for elite football and real-world impact. From evacuating Afghanistan’s youth women’s team in 2021 to leading community programmes in Canada, she embodies the Gathering’s mission.

November 26, 2025

“This year will be bigger” — WFS Riyadh host Mo Islam on Saudi football’s transformation and rising expectations

Mo Islam, host of the leading The Mo Show and confirmed MC of WFS Riyadh for the second consecutive year, believes this year’s edition will be even bigger than the previous.

November 18, 2025

New Balance x Atalanta B.C : Inside the Partnership Playing the Long Game

New Balance and Atalanta B.C. used the New Balance Arena deal to showcase a long-term partnership model built on cultural alignment and authenticity over rapid scale. Presented at WFS Madrid, it reflects Atalanta’s identity-driven approach and the club’s stadium transformation.

November 13, 2025

World Football Summit Partners with M.A.Sports to Lead Expansion in Saudi Arabia

World Football Summit has named M.A. Sports, led by Majed Al-Ali, as its exclusive regional partner to drive long-term growth in Saudi Arabia ahead of WFS Riyadh on 10–11 December. The partnership focuses on building strategic partnerships and attracting investment.

November 13, 2025

One Month To Go: WFS Riyadh Returns to connect Saudi and Global Football

WFS Riyadh returns on December 10–11 at Misk City, convening 2,500+ leaders from 80+ countries one year after Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup award. The summit will explore investment, media, fan engagement and innovation shaping football’s next chapter.

November 12, 2025

UEFA’s Nadine Kessler on how Women’s Champions League will double revenue and boost reach

At WFS Madrid, UEFA’s Nadine Kessler called for a new phase of strategic growth in women’s football — one built on structure, timing, and sustainability.

October 30, 2025

The wait was worth it: WFS Madrid becomes our biggest event ever

WFS returned to Madrid with its biggest event ever, welcoming 2,500+ attendees and 120 speakers over two days. The summit surpassed its gender-balance pledge (32% female speakers) before looking ahead to WFS Riyadh on December 10–11.

October 17, 2025

WFS returns to Madrid with a line-up of top industry leaders spanning clubs, leagues, brands and institutions

WFS returns to Madrid on October 15–16 at La Nave, convening industry leaders to discuss globalisation, media disruption, new ownership models and AI. The programme includes the Female Leaders Gathering, the WFS Awards and a new Employability Area powered by FutbolJobs.

October 8, 2025

From Juventus to Club América, Global Football Shines at the 2025 WFS Awards with Nasser Al-Khelaïfi Named Best Executive

More than 135 applications were submitted from 20 countries across six continents, confirming the Awards’ position as a benchmark of excellence.

October 2, 2025

A $380B Opportunity: How Football is Becoming the World’s Largest Longevity Platform

Healing sports is a new category emerging that will change the sports industry. It will use the power of football to drive impact, business, and transform communities worldwide.

June 26, 2025

Passion Meets Innovation: Hong Kong’s Leap into Football’s Future

World Football Summit Hong Kong will draw a new chapter for football on September 3rd-4th, 2025.

June 20, 2025

The Unstoppable Rise of Inclusive Football: A Movement, Not a Moment

In a world where the beautiful game often mirrors society’s challenges, a quiet revolution is unfolding. It’s not about the latest transfer news or the next big tournament. It’s about something far more profound: the power of football to unite, to inspire, and to include everyone.

May 7, 2025

Women’s Football in 2025: The Business Evolution of a Global Game

Remember when women’s football was considered a niche segment of the sports industry? Those days are firmly behind us. In 2025, women’s football stands at the cusp of a remarkable transformation, reshaping not just how the game is played, but how it’s marketed, consumed, and monetized across the globe.

May 6, 2025

Saudi Arabia: Architecting the Future of Football

May 5, 2025

Performance and Ramadan: How football clubs are adapting to tradition inside and outside the pitch

May 5, 2025

Betta Maggio: “We are excited about football´s role in building awareness around the possibility of creating a better world”

April 30, 2025

Why 2025 Is the Perfect Time for Brands to Invest in Women’s Football

February 19, 2025

Saudi Pro League and World Football Summit Join Forces to Showcase Football’s Evolution at WFS Asia 2024

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November 25, 2024

Growing. Together: SAFF and World Football Summit Unite to Drive Football Innovation

November 9, 2024

The FBA and World Football Summit formalize an Academic Partnership

May 10, 2024

Supernovas: Raising dreams on a field of opportunities

May 9, 2024

WFSFreestyleChallenge: Everything you need to join the competition

May 6, 2024

Parma Calcio 1913’s Blueprint for Modern Football

April 25, 2024

Football outside the pitch: How the sport is trying to make a better world

April 4, 2024

2024 WFS Awards: Confirmed categories and how to apply

March 26, 2024

Paving the way for female football professionalisation: Mercury/13 and the Como Women case

March 5, 2024

Sustaining football: When sustainability isn’t just about the environment

February 22, 2024

Stadiums are being filled up. With, or without sports being played in them

February 15, 2024

Dr. Vicki Ross’ plan for the professionalization of Costa Rica’s football

February 8, 2024

In the United States, football is going pop

January 31, 2024

The only way up, is left: How innovation is driving growth in football

January 25, 2024

Football is going global. And this is how it is doing it

January 18, 2024

Leagues around the world want to grow by telling you a story. And it goes a little beyond football matches

January 11, 2024

2023: The year the football we want and need was born

December 28, 2023

«You Can See It, Now What?» – Lessons from 11 Female Leaders in Football

November 23, 2023

Empowering the Future of Sports: Students & a Thriving Industry

November 11, 2023

The Future of Football: Storytelling, Team Valuations, and Learning from American Leagues

October 30, 2023

Interview with Rick Parry, Ex CEO of Liverpool FC and former head of the FA Premier League

October 18, 2023

Unlocking the Potential of Sport Metaverse Digital Twins

October 18, 2023

More Than Just a Business: The Non-Financial Impact of Sports

October 14, 2023

More Than Just a Business: The Non-Financial Impact of Sports

October 14, 2023

The Rising Star: Saudi Arabia’s Ambition to Dominate the Global Football Scene

October 12, 2023

Unlocking the Future of Sports Content: A Digital Revolution

September 28, 2023

Meet the 2024 WFS Awards Winners!

September 13, 2023

Evolving Fan Engagement Experiences: An interview with Paul Hunt of Genius Sports.

September 13, 2023

The future of IP in football as a source of competitive advantage

September 7, 2023

Find Out Who the WFS Awards 2024 Finalists Are

September 6, 2023

The Uncomfortable Truth About Football: Why We’re Changing the Game

September 5, 2023

World Football Summit y Andalucía, a la conquista del fútbol internacional

September 4, 2023

Kickstarting Sustainability: How ClimateTrade is Leading Football Against Climate Change

August 29, 2023

The Football Fan Experience in the Age of Web3

August 1, 2023

Connecting Football Players & Brands Through Autentic Marketing Content

July 31, 2023

Empowering Women in the Football Industry: Introducing the Female Leaders Initiative

June 21, 2023

Saudi Arabia confirmed as host for WFS Asia!

May 25, 2023

MEET THE BRANDS THAT WILL BE AT FIF23

May 25, 2023

«Kicking it Secure: The Growing Need for Cybersecurity in the Football Industry»

May 22, 2023

An inclusivity example for other clubs to follow

March 16, 2023

World Football Summit helps organize the world’s most inclusive match

February 21, 2023

The most inclusive game in the world

February 8, 2023

The growth of women’s football as seen by World Football Summit speakers

December 7, 2022

How does Turkish Airlines approach its sports partnership strategy?

November 9, 2022

The role of screens in stadiums to increase fan engagement

October 31, 2022

The science of sleep applied to optimising player performance in the sports industry

August 29, 2022

Sports OTTs in Asia: The future of a world to explore

August 24, 2022

Love.Fútbol: Creating safe spaces for kids to play football

August 18, 2022

5 investment trends in football for 2022

August 17, 2022

Discovering the new frontiers of the eSports industry

August 11, 2022

The SportsTech Revolution: Shaping the future of football

August 4, 2022

We can use the Global Power of Football to Change the World

July 14, 2022

THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSIVITY IN FOOTBALL

June 23, 2022

Jordan Gardner: «Culture, Stability and, Leadership are the pillars for success in any sports property»

June 9, 2022

Understanding AiSCOUT and how it’s revolutionising football scouting

April 21, 2022

Seven League’s Richard Ayers on football’s digital revolution

April 7, 2022

How ex-Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick is putting the fun back in football

March 23, 2022

Performance academies: How AI will save Chinese football

March 1, 2022

Sports sponsorship barometer – A focus on the latest trends in football

February 17, 2022

Understanding performance with Joan Vila, the man that mentored Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol at FC Barcelona

January 3, 2022

Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil: «It won’t be the Super League, but there will be change in football»

September 22, 2021

PFA CEO Maheta Molango: «The football industry is at a crossroads»

September 15, 2021

Former Afghanistan captain Khalida Popal refuses to be silenced in fight to free women from Taliban rule

September 14, 2021

Racism in football: Analysing the impact of player protests and social media

May 5, 2021

The impact of Brexit on football transfers in the UK, Europe and beyond

March 18, 2021

Common Goal and Fundação Fenômenos receive WFS Live proceeds to aid COVID-19 fight

August 27, 2020

Noëlla Coursaris: “Sport is competition, but it can also unite an entire village”

March 10, 2020

Esteban Granero: «Technology is crucial for football, but so is preserving the essence of the game»

January 30, 2020

Inside City Football Group’s multi-ownership strategy where 1+1=3

December 5, 2019

The keys to Olympique de Marseille’s unique connection with Africa

November 12, 2019

Liverpool FC CEO Peter Moore on the balancing act of modernising the club while respecting its tradition

October 10, 2019

This is how the J-League plans to challenge Europe’s top football leagues by 2030

May 9, 2019

The Asian Football Industry and its ever-growing expansion

January 31, 2019

Juan Mata: «As long as the passion from fans remains, football will keep growing as a sport and as an industry»

September 3, 2018

The challenges of the Football Industry: Turning Fans into Customers and Stadiums into Entertainment Centers

October 23, 2017

Smart Stadiums: The Football Stadium of the Future

July 20, 2017

El fútbol, mucho más que un deporte

July 19, 2016