Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship — Online

In markets that are becoming increasingly more competitive, sport marketing and sponsorship have become high impact areas for business success. Consequently, the training of professionals is growing as a demand for specialists in the whole sport marketing cycle, both in business companies as well as in sport foundations, associations, federations and organizations.

This Postgraduate Diploma provides you with the appropriate tools and knowledge for your development as a sport marketing and sponsorship professional in the sports industry.

Alex García Reiss Funatik, Co-founder - Johan Cruyff Institute

“I would describe my experience at Johan Cruyff Institute as a strategic support in decision-making, especially from a business perspective. I had several ideas, but this program helped me think more strategically about what is worthwhile from a business, product, and marketing standpoint.”

Alex García Reiss Co-founder Funatik

Basic information

Qualification

Certificate for the Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship from Johan Cruyff Institute, issued by using blockchain technology to guarantee the authenticity and integrity of the certificate.

Modality
Online
Start date
March 2, 2027
Credits
30 ECTS
Program language
English
Price
€ 4,850.-
Payment methods

Payment by installments available

Special conditions

Discount for alumni and members of partner entities

Enrollment

Registration open until the start of the program

The program may be subject to change.
The institution reserves the right to cancel the edition of the program if it does not meet the minimum number of students.


5 keys to motivate you

Personal and professional growth

The investment you make for a few months will have a lasting impact on your career and is an experience for life.

Networking

A full program of online seminars with industry experts is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional network.

Job opportunities

We compile for you a list of job offers from around the world in the field of sports and send them to you on a weekly basis.

The nearest online program

You study from anywhere in the world, but you are always in contact with your teachers, professionals and classmates, so your learning experience is very engaging.

Study trip

If you want to go further, the program offers you the possibility of a trip where you will continue your studies while living an unforgettable experience. Not included in the price.

Objectives

Become a Sport Marketing and Sponsorship Professional

The main objective of the Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship is to prepare you to be a sport marketing and sponsorship professional and educate you in the proper use of marketing management and sponsorship tools applied to sport.

Learning Outcomes

  1. To understand, analyze and implement marketing strategies, development strategies, launching and positioning of new products.
  2. To make decisions in relation to the components of product, price, distribution and communication.
  3. To understand the qualitative and quantitative analysis and diagnostics tools for sport market research.
  4. To understand, analyze and assess the role of digital communities and social media in sport organizations.
  5. To interpret financial statements of a sports organization.
  6. To understand the basic digital marketing tools.
  7. To understand, analyze, and implement sport sponsorship strategies.

Study plan

9 Modules 30 ECTS

The Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship Online is composed of an introductory module, mandatory modules and elective modules. The mandatory modules are divided into foundation modules (Core) and specialization modules (Advanced), linked to this specific program.

Within the elective modules you will have to choose 1 foundation module (Elective Core) and take the Elective Advanced.

Mandatory modules

Mandatory Core

  1. Strategic Management in Sport Organizations

    6 ECTS

    Introduction to the strategic management
    Elements of the internal analysis
    Tools for work team management
    Elements of the external analysis
    Tools for the external analysis
    Diagnosis
    Strategy formulation
    Competitive strategies and their evolution
    The Balanced Scorecard
    Customer focused strategy
    From strategy to execution
    Innovation in strategy
  2. Financial Management in Sport Organizations

    6 ECTS

    Economic-financial management of sport organizations
    • Finance and sport management
    • Interpretation of financial reports
    • Analysis of financial statements
    Investment & Financing mechanisms
    • Financial planning
    • Project investment and assessment
    • Financing
  3. Sport Marketing

    6 ECTS

    Introduction to sport marketing
    Sport Markets
    Sport consumers & stakeholders
    Research in sport marketing
    Sport services
    Sport Marketing Opportunities
    Marketing strategy: Objectives & segmentation
    Marketing mix: Development & management of products/services/prices/distribution/communication in sport organizations
    Marketing strategy: Positioning & value proposition
    Communication plan
    Marketing plan

Mandatory Advanced

  1. Sport Sponsorship: Strategy

    6 ECTS

    The sponsorship marketplace
    • Defining Sponsorship & Evolution of sponsorship
    • Sponsorship Business
    • Key stakeholders and their role in sponsorship
    • Types of sponsorship; traditional vs. tailormade
    • Segmentation and targeting the audience, consumers or fans
    The sponsorship toolbox
    • Analyzing the sponsorship assets; tangible vs. intangible
    • Creating sponsorship packages and programs
    • Maximizing sponsorship assets: price vs. value
    • Selling and negotiating sponsorship fees
    Managing and activating sponsorship
    • Roles and responsibilities for activation
    • Concepts and themes for sponsors and rights holders
    • Activation strategies; from idea to execution
    • Feeding the fans; content, engagement and storytelling

Elective modules

Elective Core

  1. Leadership in Sport Organizations

    3 ECTS

    LEADERSHIP: A DEFINITION
    • A brief history of leadership
    • Leadership versus management
    • Leadership traits
    • Johan Cruyff and leadership
    • Communication and teamwork
    • Management styles and leadership
    LEADERSHIP STYLES
    • Introduction to leadership styles
    • Transactional versus transformational leadership
    • Situational leadership
    PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS
    • Core values
    • Energy management
    • Time management
    THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP: ‘GETTING THINGS DONE’
    • The concept of ‘followers’
    • How the brain works
    • Group versus individual
    LEADING A TEAM
    • Team stages
    • Team roles
    CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
    • Resistance
    • Conflict management strategies
  2. People Management in Sport

    3 ECTS

    THE ANNUAL HUMAN RESOURCES CYCLE
    • Global vision of human resources management
    • Key processes in people management
    • Key human resources indicators
    ORGANIZATION
    • Organisation of a sports entity
    • Organisational charts and types of reporting
    • Job description manual
    • Hiring sports and non-sports professionals
    • Sizing workforces
    DEVELOPMENT. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
    • The performance evaluation process
    • How to give employees effective feedback
    • How to correctly analyse and use the information obtained
    PROJECT MANAGEMENT & TALENT IDENTIFICATION
    • What is project management and why is it important
    • Types of projects
    • Tools for managing and documenting a project
    • Identification of internal talent and critical positions
    • Training plans
    • Career plans
    COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS & INTERNAL COMMUNICATION
    • Fixed pay. What it is and how it is determined
    • Variable pay. Bonus models and their calculation
    • Emotional salary. What it is and how it impacts the company
    • Internal communication objectives
    • Elements involved in internal communication
    • Internal communication and the work environment
    HUMAN RESOURCES STRATEGIC PLAN
    • How to make a strategic human resources plan
    • Human resources policies
  3. Sport Media

    3 ECTS

    Introduction
    Sport content in media
    Analysis of the different media companies
    Globalization of sport
    Sport consumer
    Audience research and advertising market
    Audiovisual consumption and digital migration
    Management of broadcast rights
  4. Fan Engagement

    3 ECTS

    Introduction to Fan Engagement
    Key Concepts of Fan Engagement
    Understanding the Fan
    Fan Engagement Strategy
    Best practices of Fan Engagement
    Actual & Future Trends of Fan Engagement

Elective Advanced

  1. Digital Marketing in Sport

    3 ECTS

    The digital revolution and its impact on the sports industry.
    Digital strategy. Much more than just marketing.
    Contents and platforms. The power of social networks to create fan engagement.
    From content generation to monetisation
    Designing a Digital Marketing Plan
    How do we implement our Plan?

Pedagogical model

You are the protagonist

You are the protagonist

The Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship puts you at the center of your education through a learning by doing methodology.

We encourage collaborative work and transfer the content to specific situations in sport marketing and sponsorship (connective teaching methodologies and social constructivism). Our faculty of expert professors and tutors will guide you in the learning process, providing high quality training combined with the flexibility of online study

Benefits

Learning 3.0

flexible schedules, different learning environments and technologies.

World-class faculty

Interaction with expert faculty and industry professionals.

Collaborative tools

Teamwork, communication and debate.

Sports-industry oriented

Training that approaches the business sector of the sports industry.

Learning from experience

Designed for professional improvement.

Career opportunities

Move towards your professional goal

Johan Cruyff Institute allows a bridge between potential candidates and the corporate sector involved in sports. Organizations and companies in the sports sector that have vacancies contact us looking for “sports-minded” candidates.

People who have completed this Postgraduate Diploma are currently working in the following areas:

Sport Marketing and Sponsorship

Private and public companies

Advertising and Branding

advertising agencies and media agencies

Sports Competition

professional sports clubs and event organization

Leadership and Management

federations, sports associations, NGOs and foundations

Sports Consulting

private business initiatives

Sports Journalism

media agencies and media

80% of students work in the sports industry after completing their program

The best network of collaborators
170 partnerships with companies
ALFA College
Escuela Nacional del Deporte
Fontys Economishe Hogeschool
FUAB
Hanzehogeschool Groningen

Participant profile

The Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship from Johan Cruyff Institute is for you, if:

  • You are an (ex-) athlete and are looking for a specialized education in sport marketing and sponsorship to give your professional career a boost.
  • You’re working in the marketing / sponsorship environment and want to specialize in sport marketing and sponsorship.
  • You want to complement your education with a postgraduate diploma in sport marketing and sponsorship.
  • You are a professional in the sports industry, with experience in the sector but without studies related to sports marketing and sponsorship and you want to improve and update your knowledge of the industry.
Carlos Marinho UEFA, Ticketing Venue Configuration Coordinator - Johan Cruyff Institute

“During the Master in Football Business Online at Johan Cruyff Institute, I focused on technology and data analysis, areas I hadn’t worked with before. This helped me better understand emerging technologies and expand my knowledge.”

Carlos Marinho Ticketing Venue Configuration Coordinator UEFA

Faculty

Learn from the best professionals

The Johan Cruyff Institute teachers are experts from the sports sector and combine research and consultancy with teaching. Through their experience and knowledge, they have developed a broad variety of cases and concepts to work with.

Admission

How can I apply for the program?

If you are interested in joining this program, please complete the pre-registration form. Your application will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee, which will assess your personal and professional achievements, as well as your aspirations and motivation, in relation to the objectives of the programme. Within a maximum of 72 hours, one of our advisors will contact you to provide further information and guide you through the next steps.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted, you must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Have a Bachelor’s degree, diploma or equivalent,
  • Have at least 3 years of experience in the field of marketing and/or sponsorship, or
  • Have developed a career as a professional athlete.

Qualification

Certificate for the Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship from Johan Cruyff Institute, issued by using blockchain technology to guarantee the authenticity and integrity of the certificate.

How can I apply for the program?

Enrollment process

The final selection of candidates for the program is made through a three-stage admission process:

  1. Pre-registration form

    To apply for admission to the program you must fill out a pre-registration form in which you tell us about your personal and professional achievements, so that we can get to know you.

  2. Admissions Committee

    The Admissions Committee of Johan Cruyff Institute studies your file and evaluates your application by examining your profile.

  3. Admission

    Within 72 hours, one of our advisors will contact you. If you have received a positive evaluation, he/she will provide you with all the information you need to enroll in the program.

Start date
March 2, 2027

What our students and alumni say

Belén Morán Romero CSD - High Performance Athlete Support Program, PROAD Consultant - Johan Cruyff Institute

Belén Morán Romero

“Johan Cruyff Institute’s Blended Master is very well organized to make everything compatible. It has allowed me not only to follow the classes while competing in another part of the world, but also to get good grades. Competition and travel are no excuse for not taking a master’s degree. It’s a perfect program.”

CSD - High Performance Athlete Support Program

PROAD Consultant

Alumnus of the Master in Sports Business and Marketing

Ntsako Baloyi NXT LVL Sports, Founder & CEO - Johan Cruyff Institute

Ntsako Baloyi

“I would definitely recommend studying at Johan Cruyff Institute to anyone looking to start a career in the sports industry. Opportunities like this are rare, you gain exposure to all levels of the sector, from innovation and marketing to sponsorship and governance.”

Owen Delarue Benelux (Playtomic), Partner Success Specialist - Johan Cruyff Institute

Owen Delarue

“Tailored to the sector or interests of the students, the teachers present cases and examples related to the specific industry or sport that resonates with the majority of the students. Additionally, the program offers outstanding networking opportunities, fostering the development of lifelong friendships.”

Benelux (Playtomic)

Partner Success Specialist

Alumnus of the Master in Sports Business and Marketing

FAQs

What is a postgraduate program at Johan Cruyff Institute?

A postgraduate program is a specialized academic program designed to provide in-depth knowledge in a specific area of the sports industry. It combines advanced learning, a practical methodology, and the expertise of industry professionals to develop skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace. It is an ideal option for professionals who want to specialize or advance their careers through a shorter commitment than a master's degree.

Why should I study a postgraduate program at Johan Cruyff Institute?

Johan Cruyff Institute's Postgraduate Diplomas combine academic excellence, practical learning, and an international perspective on the sports industry. You'll learn from experienced professionals and industry experts, develop specialized skills, and become part of a global community of students and alumni.

Who should choose a postgraduate program instead of a master’s degree?

A postgraduate program is the right choice for professionals who want to specialize in a specific area of the sports industry without committing to a longer master's degree. It is especially suited for those looking to update their knowledge, develop new skills, or prepare for new professional challenges.

What are the admission requirements for a postgraduate program?

Admission requirements vary by program. Each postgraduate program webpage provides detailed information about the ideal candidate profile, required academic background, professional experience (when applicable), and the documentation needed to apply.

Do I need previous experience in the sports industry?

Not always. Some Postgraduate Diplomas are designed for professionals with experience in the sports industry, while others are also open to candidates from different sectors who are looking to transition into sports. Please refer to the specific admission requirements for each program.

Have a question about this program?

If there is anything you could not find on this page, send us your question and our admissions team will get back to you.

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