FIFA Master celebrates No.1 in Europe ranking success for a record 13th time
The FIFA Master has confirmed its position as the leading postgraduate sport management course in Europe with a record-breaking 13th No.1 award in the new 2025 Sport Business rankings.
The course, which takes students on a unique academic journey with modules held in three European countries, recently marked its 25th anniversary with a special conference and alumni gathering at FIFA House in Zurich.
Each year around thirty students are selected to participate and complete their studies in Management, Law and the Humanities of Sport. It is delivered in partnership between the International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University in the United Kingdom, SDA Bocconi School of Management in Italy and the Sports Law Faculty at the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. Overall coordination is provided by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), again in Switzerland, who celebrated their own 30th anniversary this summer.
Reacting to the ranking announcement, President of the FIFA Master Scientific Committee, Prof. Thomas Probst said, “Congratulations to everybody who has supported the FIFA Master, from our academic partners and guest speakers, to our field visit destinations and FIFA. The Scientific Committee is extremely proud of everything that we have achieved together, and this latest success is something we should all celebrate - and especially our alumni who have helped to build the outstanding reputation of the course within the industry by the impact they make after obtaining their degree”.
CIES General Secretary Vincent Schatzmann added, “The new 2025 rankings once again demonstrate that the FIFA Master continues to provide our students with the necessary foundations to build a successful career in international sport business. The Sport Business announcement provides excellent external recognition of the work we do each year to achieve that”.
The FIFA Master is now the first and only course to have been ranked No.1 in Europe by the independent Sport Business rankings on thirteen separate occasions, following previous success in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Speaking about her time on the course, 5th edition graduate and now Head of Marketing Partnerships – UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League - at TEAM Marketing, Mayrilian Cruz Blanco (Swiss / Cuba) said, “The FIFA Master was pivotal for me to access these opportunities in my career. The programme was a life-changing experience that provided the tools and international perspective to pursue and build the career I once had only dreamed of”.
2016 graduate and now Senior Football Technology Manager at FIFA, Daniele Diana (Italy) added, “The FIFA Master was a game-changer. It didn’t just bring me closer to sports—it gave me the tools and confidence to dive in headfirst”. These views were also echoed by 2016 graduate Yasmine Helmy from Egypt who is now Digital Product and Marketing Manager at Confederation of African Football (CAF). She said, “Being able to ask questions, see operations up close, and understand the challenges and innovations in different sectors of the industry was incredibly valuable. The blend of academic learning and practical exposure provided by the FIFA Master truly equipped me with the tools I needed to thrive in the sports industry”.
Since the FIFA Master first launched in 2000, over 700 students have graduated from the programme and approaching 90% are now working directly in the industry for organisations such as FIFA, IOC, UEFA, AFC, CAF, FEI, FIVB, various clubs, event organisers, sports marketing agencies, NGO’s and media companies.
Former course patrons have included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, 1966 Football World Cup Winner Sir Bobby Charlton, Lord Sebastian Coe, Sergey Bubka, Jonathan Edwards, Nawal El Moutawakel, South Africa Rugby World Cup Winner François Pienaar, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Gold Medal Rower Emma Twigg and the former Arsenal FC Manager, Arsène Wenger.
To see the full ranking: click here
FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 13 times by SportBusiness.
Organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).
"CIES, 30 years of impacting how sport is managed worldwide" & "FIFA Master, 25 years of Excellence in Sport Business Education"
