World Football Summit Asia 2024 Kicks Off in Riyadh, Uniting Thousands of Global Industry Leaders Under the Vision of Creating The Football of The Future
- Thousands of global football industry leaders are descending on Riyadh for the largest-ever football industry event in the region.
- The summit is aligned with Vision 2030, which aims to set a new vision for the global football community and establish it as a key social, cultural and economic pillar of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
World Football Summit Asia 2024 (WFS Asia 24) (asia.worldfootballsummit.com) was launched today at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, bringing together thousands of industry leaders and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s rising influence in global football. The summit, made possible in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Football Association and the Saudi Professional League, is a key step towards Vision 2030, the ambitious goal of increasing the sports sector’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s national GDP. Increase to 2.5-3%.
The opening day saw vibrant discussions and networking events attended by some of the most influential figures in football, including His Excellency Badr Alkadi (Ministry of Sports), Omar Mughhaber (Saudi Professional League), Her Highness Princess Al-Abdullah, Monica Stubb (SAFF), Esteve Calzada (Al-Hilal), Guido Feinga (Al-Nassr) or legendary figures like Arda Turan or Vitor Baia.
His Excellency Mr. Bader Alkadi set the tone for the event:
“Sport is our common language. The reason we invest in sports is to improve people’s lives. Through sport, as a country, we live happier, longer, more active lives, while also connecting the world.”
The event attracted major football broadcast rights holders such as UEFA, La Liga, Serie A, as well as Al Nasser, Etihad, Al Hilal, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Well-known clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur participate. and Manchester United.
The plan addresses key themes aligned with Vision 2030:
- Football and sport will play role in redefining Saudi Arabia’s economy
- Saudi Arabia aims to become a leading football center and host the best FIFA World Cup in 2034
- The impact of technology on performance and fan engagement
- Sustainability initiatives for football infrastructure
- Women’s Football Development Plans and Commitments
- Youth development framework and best practice
- The role of sport in promoting tourism initiatives
WFS introduced a never-before-seen front-of-stage setup and recorded segments of the World Football Summit podcast in front of a live audience.
The SPL is one of the leagues with the biggest impact on the football industry and Omar Mugharbel from the SPL shared the pillars they focus on: “We have four pillars to improve the league: financial governance, expertise in player recruitment, fan engagement and marketing. “
Javier Tebas, President of LALIGA, also recognizes the potential of the Saudi Arabian football ecosystem: “Saudi Arabia has huge opportunities. No one can deny their ambition to become a key stakeholder in the global sports industry.”
Speaking about women’s football, another key talking point for the programme, HRH Princess Reem Abdullah defended the need to invest in the sport: “Saudi women want to improve, learn and grow. With the right training and foundation The facilities, quality will only improve.”
The overall sentiment was characterized by attendees’ willingness to share sports business knowledge.
Yan Alessi, co-founder and director of the World Football Summit, expressed his enthusiasm: “Today marks a game-changing moment for football in the Middle East and the world. The unprecedented gathering of all these industry leaders in Riyadh not only demonstrates the importance of Saudi Arabia in The growing influence within global football also demonstrates its commitment to transforming the sports sector into a key economic driver. The energy and engagement we are witnessing today confirms that the future of football is being shaped as we speak.”
Representatives from global brands such as Turkish Airlines, Nike, PepsiCo, Meltwater, TikTok, Deloitte, Roland Berger, PwC, FBA, Radisson Hotel Group, ATOS and leading Saudi companies such as MACE, SMC, SCAI, SELA and PIF Take an active part in discussions and bring a different perspective to the future of football business.
The event officially kicked off on December 1, with Radisson Hotel Group hosting an exclusive welcome dinner, laying the foundation for two days of intensive communication and knowledge sharing. The summit also features dedicated sessions designed to foster meaningful connections between industry professionals, such as a gathering of female leaders in football.
The summit will culminate with the prestigious Diriyah WFS Honors event on December 3, celebrating excellence, impact and innovation in the football industry.
The gathering in Riyadh proved to be more than just a panel event; it was a catalyst for transformative partnerships and initiatives that will shape the future landscape of football, particularly in promoting Saudi business opportunities and regional growth.
Marian Otamendi, CEO of World Football Summit, said: “We firmly believe that the global football industry needs to be more inclusive, professional and sustainable. It is encouraging to see the top decision-makers from football coming together at WFS Riyadh and Achieving this goal with the same passion has proven to be an important step in this direction.”
For more information about WFS Asia 2024, please visit asia.worldfootballsummit.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the World Football Summit.
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About the World Football Summit:
The World Football Summit is the football industry’s premier platform, hosting events that bring together the sport’s most influential professionals to address the most pressing issues and create business opportunities.
