Specialized Diploma in Football Business — Online

Football clubs operate at the intersection of sporting identity, governance, commercial pressure and fan expectations. Understanding the business requires seeing how industry structures, revenue models and club decisions connect.

This Specialized Diploma combines an introduction to the football industry with commercial management, fan engagement and digital transformation. You will examine club business models, commercial assets, ticketing, retail, audiovisual rights, fan relationships and new revenue streams, building a practical view of how football organizations create and sustain value.

Read the football business as an interconnected system of clubs, commercial assets, fans and digital revenue opportunities.

Lukas Dorda Johan Cruyff Institute, Associate Academic Director - Johan Cruyff Institute

“The sports industry is constantly evolving, and professionals need to continue developing their knowledge to stay prepared for new challenges. Our online courses offer the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in different areas, update your skills, and gain a broader perspective on the trends and opportunities shaping the future of sports.”

Lukas Dorda Associate Academic Director Johan Cruyff Institute

Basic information

Qualification
Certificate for the Specialized Diploma in Football Business from Johan Cruyff Institute, issued by using blockchain technology to guarantee the authenticity and integrity of the certificate.
Modality
Online
Duration
25 weeks
Credits
15 ECTS
Program language
English
Start date
17/11/2026
Enrollment
Registration open until the start of the program
Price
€ 2,425.-
Payment methods
Payment by installments available
Special conditions
Discount for alumni and members of partner entities
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.

Discover how the football industry works

The main objective of the Specialized Diploma is to educate you in the proper use of management tools for organizations linked to football.

COMPETENCIES
  • Understand the different interests in football and the consequences for business in general, the competitive and financial framework of football in addition to the different business models of football clubs.
  • Know how to design a basic strategic plan for football clubs of different sizes.
  • To master the skills necessary to obtain the best results in the management of professional football teams.
  • To interpret the financial statements of a football organization and create financing strategies for new projects.
START DATE

17/11/2026

Study plan

4 Modules 15 ECTS

Mandatory modules

Mandatory Core

  1. Introduction to Football Business

    6 ECTS

    Football and Knowledge
    • How to study the football business
    The Framework of the Football Business
    • The origins of football
    • The first phase of development
    • The second phase of development
    • The third phase of development
    • The fourth phase of development
    • The fifth phase of development
    How to Understand a Football Club
    • The four dimensions of a football club
    • The governance and finances of a football club
  2. 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
  3. Digital Transformation and Revenue Generation

    3 ECTS

    REVENUE DEPARTMENT OF A SPORTS CLUB
    • Introduction: Revenue Department of a Sports Club
    • Organization and objectives within a Sports Club
    SALES STRATEGY
    • B2C and B2B Sales Strategy
    • Types of products: Introduction to Ticketing in Football, Museum, Events and Catering
    MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR EVENTS
    • Customer Experience
    • Venue Operations
    • Corporate and Private Events
    THE DIGITAL FAN
    • The Business and the Digital Industry in Sports
    • Fan Experience Centric
    DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE SPORTS WORLD
    • Fan & Stadiums
    • Smart Stadiums
    • Virtual Experiences
    TRENDS
    • From Big Data to Smart Data
    • Esports Business
    • NFTS and the Metaverse
  4. Commercial Management

    3 ECTS

    THE DISTRIBUTION OF REVENUES/LIABILITIES ON THE BALANCE SHEET OF THE SPORTS ENTITY
    • Different forms of organization
    • Different forms of departmentalization
    • Specific weight of each business line in terms of revenue
    • Periodic targets and measurement systems
    SPORTS SPONSORSHIP
    • What is sold / What is bought
    • Categories (sectors of activity)
    • Hierarchy
    • Activations
    • Budgets
    • Engagement between sponsor and sponsee
    COMPANIES THAT DO NOT WANT TO BE SPONSORS (BUT CAN OFFER REVENUE TO THE SPORT ENTITY WITH DIFFERENT APPROACHES)
    • Advertisers
    • Partnerships
    • CSR
    • Placements
    • Rentals
    TICKETING
    • Capacity
    • Access
    • Events
    • Season tickets
    • Match tickets
    • Customer typologies and their segmentation
    • Purchasing processes
    • Secondary markets
    RETAIL (DISTRIBUTION OF OFFICIAL PRODUCTS)
    • Official stores
    • Product licensing
    • Distribution channels outside the entity
    • New marketplaces
    • Customer management and segmentation
    • Trademark law and copyright
    • New formulas for commercial distribution / managing stock
    AUDIOVISUAL RIGHTS
    • Joint/individual commercialization
    • Operators
    • Own channels
    • Premium content
    • Freemium
    CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
    • New disciplines / competitions / sections
    • Facilities 2.0
    • eSports
    • NFT
    • Other tokens

You are the protagonist

We'll assign you a personal tutor, who will guide your work/study schedule around your work and/or sports schedule. Your tutor will be responsible for supporting you throughout the entire training process, providing personalized monitoring of your academic progress throughout the program.

Benefits
  • Learning 3.0: different learning environments and technologies.
  • World-class faculty: interaction with expert faculty members and sports industry professionals.
  • Collaborative tools, teamwork, communication and debate.
  • Sports-industry oriented: bringing education closer to the business realities of the sports industry.
  • Experiential learning: designed to support professional development.

Communication and resolution of doubts will be carried out through:

Mail: response within a maximum of 24 hours.

Support via chat/calls/videoconference.

30-minute personal (individual) tutoring

Why study an online course at Johan Cruyff Institute?

Johan Cruyff Institute is globally recognized for its innovative approach to education in sports management and marketing, embodying the spirit and values of the legendary footballer Johan Cruyff.

By choosing to study here, students have the unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders, engage in practical, real-world projects, and network with professionals from across the sports world.

The Johan Cruyff Institute’s courses are structured to provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, ensuring students are well-prepared and confident as they enter the rapidly evolving and highly competitive sports sector. The blend of academic study and industry exposure guarantees a comprehensive understanding of the field, enhancing employability and success in various roles within the sports industry.

Specialized Diploma in Football Business

Starts 17/11/2026

Enroll now

FAQs

What online courses does Johan Cruyff Institute offer?

Johan Cruyff Institute offers specialized online courses across a variety of areas within the sports industry. These flexible, practical, short-term programs are designed to help you develop or update specific knowledge and skills while allowing you to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world.

Why should I study an online course at Johan Cruyff Institute?

Our online courses combine flexibility, practical learning, and up-to-date content to help you develop targeted skills with a study schedule that fits your availability. They are an excellent option for professionals, athletes, and anyone looking to continue their education without interrupting their work or personal commitments.

Who are the online courses designed for?

Our online courses are intended for sports industry professionals, athletes, students, and anyone interested in gaining or updating knowledge in specific areas of the sports industry. Depending on the course, they may be suitable for both experienced professionals and individuals looking to begin a career in sports.

How do I know which online course is right for me?

The best choice depends on your interests, experience, and career goals. If you're looking to develop a specific skill, update your knowledge, or explore a new area of the sports industry, an online course may be the ideal option. Our Admissions team can help you identify the program that best fits your profile.

Do I need previous experience in sports?

It depends on the course. Some programs are open to anyone interested in the sports industry, while others require previous knowledge or professional experience. Please refer to the course webpage for specific admission requirements.

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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