Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is stepping onto the global pitch in a big way, announcing a groundbreaking partnership with the Manchester City Sports Business School to launch an executive master’s program in global sports operations and strategy. The new 12-month hybrid program, set to begin in fall 2026, promises to immerse mid- and senior-level professionals in the rapidly evolving world of international sports management, drawing on the expertise of one of the world’s most valuable and innovative football clubs.
Valued at more than $600 billion, the global sports industry is racing through a period of dramatic transformation. The rise of women’s sports, technological advancements, and the ever-increasing complexity of major events like the World Cup are forcing both organizations and their leaders to adapt at breakneck speed. According to Georgetown University, this new program aims to equip the next generation of sports executives with the skills and insights needed to thrive in this high-stakes environment.
"It’s the School of Continuing Studies’ core mission to empower the industry leaders of tomorrow," said Kelly Otter, dean of SCS, in a statement provided by Georgetown University. "Thanks to our innovative partnership with Manchester City Sports Business School, our students will learn how to craft strategic business practices, implement cutting-edge technology, and create seamless fan experiences at a global scale."
The executive master’s program is the product of a collaboration between SCS and the Manchester City Sports Business School (MCSBS), the educational arm of Manchester City Football Club. Manchester City, part of the City Football Group (CFG), is not just a powerhouse in English football—it’s the world’s leading private owner and operator of football clubs, boasting a network that stretches across five continents. This connection grants students access to real-world expertise and a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the future of the sports industry.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the program is its two required one-week residencies, which promise to give students an insider’s perspective on elite sports operations. The first residency takes place at the City Football Academy in Manchester, United Kingdom—the home turf of Manchester City. There, students will get an all-access pass to observe how an elite football club is managed and operated on a global stage. The second residency moves across the Atlantic to New York City, where City Football Group and Manchester City’s sister club, New York City FC, are constructing Etihad Park. This stadium, set to open in 2027, will be New York’s first football-specific venue and a symbol of the sport’s growing footprint in the U.S.
"Very often there is a disconnect between the academic theory of sports management and the realities of leading inside a global sports organization," said Jorgina Busquets, managing director of football education, recreation and partner clubs at City Football Group, as quoted by Georgetown University. "By partnering with Georgetown, a world-class academic institution, and combining its excellence with the expertise of our staff at Manchester City and the wider City Football Group, we are creating something truly unique, which I hope will equip its participants to deliver meaningful impact in the world of sport and beyond."
The curriculum is intentionally broad and future-focused. In addition to core coursework on sports operations and infrastructure, students will dive into topics like intercultural engagement, managing emerging technologies, digital tools, sustainability, marketing, and event management. The program is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals, offering a pathway to coveted roles such as director of sports operations, sports marketing director, talent acquisition executive, and chief operations officer.
Bobby Goldwater, a veteran sports executive and faculty director of the new program, sees the collaboration as a timely response to the industry’s shifting demands. "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," Goldwater noted in the official release. "The Georgetown-Man City collaboration will be an immersive and essential learning experience, led by respected educators and experts, that will equip motivated executives with the tools they will need to successfully address the challenges and opportunities to come."
Beyond the classroom, the Georgetown-Manchester City partnership will offer exclusive opportunities for students, including guest speakers drawn from the upper echelons of the sports industry, personalized career counseling, and guided tours of world-class stadiums. These experiences are designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that graduates leave with both the knowledge and the network to make an immediate impact.
Applications for the program are now open as of November 20, 2025, with a special webinar for prospective students scheduled for January 30, 2026. The inaugural cohort will begin classes in the fall of 2026, just as the global sports industry gears up for another wave of innovation and expansion.
Manchester City Football Club, the program’s key partner, brings its own rich legacy to the table. Founded in 1880 as St Mark’s West Gorton and officially named Manchester City FC in 1894, the club has grown into a global brand with a massive footprint. Its facilities include the 53,000-seat Etihad Stadium, the 7,000-seat Joie Stadium, and the state-of-the-art City Football Academy, which serves as the training and development hub for the men’s, women’s, and academy teams. Manchester City is currently ranked as the Most Valuable Football Club Brand in the Premier League by Brand Finance and is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusion.
Meanwhile, Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies is no stranger to innovation. The school offers a wide array of graduate and professional certificate programs, as well as custom corporate training and the university’s only part-time bachelor’s program. Rooted in a mission-driven and values-based approach, SCS fosters connections between students and industry leaders, preparing graduates to make a difference on a global scale.
For those seeking to break into—or rise within—the upper echelons of sports management, the Georgetown-Manchester City executive master’s program represents a rare opportunity. With access to some of the brightest minds and most influential organizations in the industry, students will be uniquely positioned to lead as the business of sports continues to grow and evolve.
As the world of professional sports charges ahead, blending tradition with a relentless drive for innovation, this partnership just might be the launchpad for the industry’s next generation of leaders. Only time will tell what impact these future graduates will make, but the stage is set—and the game is most certainly on.
