Stadiums conceived as destinations 365 days a year, women’s football as a global business, the strategic use of data, the centrality of the fan and the diversification of income marked the main priorities of the football industry in 2025, according to the analysis of the debates held at five international World Football Summit events in Hong Kong, Madrid, Rabat, Monterrey and Riyadh.
The analysis of the presentations and debates places stadium infrastructure as the most recurring topic, with a vision that transcends match day and redefines venues as destinations for continuous use, integrated with commercial offerings, entertainment and community functions.
This conversation was especially driven by markets that are preparing for major events, such as North America heading to the 2026 World Cup or Saudi Arabia facing 2034, although with implications applicable to the entire sports industry.
Another of the great consensuses was the consolidation of women’s football as a business strategy, beyond institutional promotion. The discussions addressed investment in infrastructure, audiovisual rights, business models and expected returns, with a transversal presence in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
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Data and the sports industry
In parallel, the use of data and analytics focused on practical applications – performance, scouting, commercial decisions and fan profiling – in a context where ‘fan-centricity’ (fan as the main protagonist) is imposed as a new operating model in the face of the fragmentation of traditional audiences.
The meetings also reflected a strategic moment for Africa, with Morocco as a notable case for its role as co-host of the 2030 World Cup and as a model for taking advantage of football infrastructure for economic and social development.
Technology, income diversification and a platform mentality complete the map of priorities, in an industry that seeks new sources of sustainability beyond broadcast rights and that moves towards a multipolar, digital and data-driven ecosystem.
With information from EFE.
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