As you know, at World Football Summit every year we share the spotlight and acknowledge those behind the scenes who are creating the football we need. The WFS Awards, presented this year by Junta de Andalucía were created to reward the achievements of these executives, managers, sponsors, agencies, media, NGOs and other professionals whose talent, passion and dedication help make football the greatest show of our time. Among some of the past winners are Arsenal FC, Aleksander Čeferin, Sevilla FC, Socios.com, Tottenham Hotspur, City Football Group… The awards ceremony will be held on the first night of our two-day WFS Europe event in Sevilla.
Below you will find the three finalists from each category:
Best Executive Award by Nolan Partners
Directed to the executive who has made a change for the benefit of the institution, has made the most efficient use of its resources, and has achieved greater impact according to their capabilities.
- Fernando Carro, Bayer Leverkusen
- Joan Laporta, FC Barcelona
- James Johnson, Football Australia
Best Venue Award by Mondo Stadia
Directed to stadiums and sports venues, taking into account fan experience, access, match day operations… among others.
- Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Spain
- Estadio BBVA, Mexico
- Lusail Stadium, Qatar
Best Digital Transformation Initiative Award by N3xt Sports
Directed at football rights holders: clubs, federations, and leagues, that have recently gone through a digital transformation process with demonstrated new value generated. The process may either be completed or ongoing but must be able to present tangible results.
- Parma Calcio DataLab
- Club Brugge
- Fanera
Football For Good Award by Common Goal
Directed at clubs, club foundations, institutions, NGO’s or companies that promote social change through football.
- A Goal To Dream: PPG sports
- Chicago Fire Foundation P.L.A.Y.S. Program
- FIX IT! The sports integrity and values game
Best Women’s Football Initiative Award by Women in Football
Directed at the company or institution whose performance or initiative has contributed in an outstanding and relevant way to promote the development and growth of women’s football, on a professional level, achieving notoriety and a certain projection that inspires new generations to practice it and audiences to follow it.
- Asociación de Futbolistas Profesionales (FUTPRO)
- MOMS
- Beyond the Ball
Eli Wolff Football Without Limits Award by Integrated Dreams
This WFS Award looks to applaud, cherish and gain inspiration from companies, clubs and federations that have provided support to the inclusion and visibility of disabled people in our society, specifically in sports, by means of any initiative, technology, marketing campaign, innovative solution.
- INSUPERABILI – Football Club for people with disabilities
- Football for All: The Dribble-made route– K League
- ADAPTandTHRIVE by U.S. Soccer Federation
Most Innovative Supplier Award by SportstechX
Directed at companies that provide products that provide products or services to the football industry. The company may be a supplier for different football clubs or sports disciplines.
- Neoma
- skills.lab by Anton Paar SportsTec
- Stampix BV
Marcus Rashford Award by FIFPro
An award created to reaffirm the legacy of Marcus Rashford MBE’s child food poverty campaigning. This is directed at athletes, executives and organization employees who have championed programs and actions that have a positive impact on their communities and drive positive societal change.
- Mushaga Bakenga – Divided World / College Namugunga
- William Troost-Ekong – Sokito
- Jan Vertonghen Foundation
Best Sportstech Startup Award by LaSource
This award celebrates the most promising and innovative startups that provide sports organizations with outstanding solutions to help them in their transitions and overall transformation.
- Camb.Ai
- Mindfly
- Driblab
Best Growth Strategy Award by Deloitte
Directed at the company or institution that has best expanded its business internationally, gaining market expansion, business diversification, growth of investment, etc.
- América in America, Club América
- Creators Club, Atlético de Madrid
- Crossing Worlds, Juventus
Most Impactful Branding Initiative Award by SUMMA Branding
Directed at the company, club, institution or individual who has displayed or executed an exceptional branding campaign within the football industry.
- Mercury/13
- Juventus FC
- Fanera
Check out the pictures from the WFS Awards Ceremony last year
Stay tuned for those who will be making football industry history!
