Episode Details

In this special on-location episode of The Business of Football Network, David Chimbaza travels to Madrid for the first international event covered by the network: the 2026 World Football Summit. From the venue in La Nave, David brings listeners behind the scenes of a major global football business conference, reflecting on the atmosphere, the people attending and the opportunity to connect with leaders from across the industry.

Throughout day one, David explores the importance of networking, collaboration and learning directly from people working across football, technology, finance, media and participation sport. He discusses sessions from JP Morgan on the transformation and financing of football, conversations with Skills Lab around immersive technology, and the growing importance of data, artificial intelligence and digital systems in helping clubs, leagues and organisations become more efficient and future-focused.

David also reflects on what it feels like to attend an international conference alone, film in public and represent the network abroad for the first time. He shares the challenges of navigating a large, multilingual event while trying to capture interviews, attend talks, meet delegates and understand different perspectives from Europe, the United States, the Middle East and beyond.

With insights into the Saudi Pro League, Wrexham, La Liga, global sponsorship, storytelling and the changing business of football, this episode captures the energy of the World Football Summit and the value of being present in the room where important industry conversations are taking place. It is a personal reflection on growth, confidence and the importance of putting yourself forward in football, while offering listeners a glimpse into the first day of the network’s international event coverage.