Manchester City Sports Business School, in collaboration with Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, is offering a unique opportunity for aspiring professionals to deepen their understanding of the global sports industry.
The Executive Master’s in Global Sports Operations & Strategy combines world-class academic teaching with real-world insight from one of the most innovative organisations in sport.
Designed for working professionals, the 12-month program includes in-person residencies in Manchester and New York - providing a truly global learning experience.
The program is designed to bridge theory and practice, giving students access to the inner workings of elite sport, from boardroom strategy to stadium operations. Through the Manchester City Sports Business School and the wider City Football Group network, participants gain first-hand insight into how a global organisation operates across multiple clubs, markets and audiences.
With five core courses and a final capstone project, students explore key areas including operations, strategy, fan engagement and commercial performance, all with a focus on solving real-world challenges. The program culminates in a substantial final project, enabling participants to apply their learning to real scenarios facing the global sports industry.
Real world insights from sport insiders
A key part of the program is the opportunity to learn directly from industry experts. Students benefit from mentoring and networking opportunities with professionals working across global sport, while residency experiences offer in-person access to leaders shaping the future of the industry.
As Faculty Director Bobby Goldwater explains: “The global professional sports industry is rapidly expanding and evolving, requiring its current and future leaders to be more resourcefully prepared and strategically flexible than ever before.”
The course reflects the breadth and complexity of the modern sports landscape, something demonstrated through the type of content and case studies explored.
Find some examples below:
Recent analysis by Georgetown has examined how global events are evolving, including the 2026 Winter Olympics, where a multi-city hosting model highlighted new approaches to sustainability, cost management and large-scale operations. By distributing events across multiple locations, organisers created a more flexible and efficient model that could shape the future of mega sporting events.
Elsewhere, the continued rise of international competitions such as the World Baseball Classic has demonstrated how strategic planning, global talent and fan engagement can transform tournaments into major worldwide spectacles. From record attendances to growing global audiences, these examples underline the rapid evolution of sport and the need for leaders who understand both the commercial and operational drivers behind that growth.
The global sports market continues to expand at pace, with significant opportunities emerging across media, technology, partnerships and fan engagement. Graduates of the program are equipped with the skills, knowledge and global perspective required to navigate this evolving landscape and make an immediate impact within the industry.
The Executive Master’s in Global Sports Operations & Strategy is now open for applications.
Find out more and apply here: https://scs.georgetown.edu/programs/559/executive-master-of-professional-studies-in-global-sports-operations-strategy/