Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies (SCS) has partnered with the Manchester City Sports Business School to launch a new executive master’s program in global sports operations and strategy.
The 12-month program will kick off in fall 2026 and offer graduate students opportunities to collaborate with the Manchester City Football Club and learn from the team’s operations and business practices.
“It’s the School of Continuing Studies’ core mission to empower the industry leaders of tomorrow,” said Kelly Otter, dean of SCS. “Thanks to our innovative collaboration with Manchester City Sports Business School, our students will be equipped to craft strategic business practices, implement cutting-edge technology and create seamless fan experiences at a global scale.”
The executive master’s program will draw directly from the industry expertise and knowledge, allowing students to learn from those at the cutting-edge of the future of the global sports industry.
The program provides exclusive, real-life insight into global sports brands through two required one-week residencies. The first will take place at the City Football Academy, home to Manchester City Football Club. The residency in Manchester, United Kingdom, will offer behind-the-scenes access to managing and operating an elite football club on a global stage. The second residency will follow in New York City, where City Football Group and Manchester City’s sister club, New York City FC, are currently building Etihad Park, the city’s first football-specific stadium slated to open in 2027.
“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. “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 executive master’s program is targeted at mid- and senior-level professionals in the global sports industry looking to advance their careers. The program will offer coursework in sports operations and infrastructure and draw on other professional sports, like American football, basketball and women’s sports. Students will also explore topics ranging from intercultural engagement to managing emerging technologies, sustainability, marketing and event management in the context of the sports industry.
“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,” said Bobby Goldwater, a veteran sports executive and faculty director of the new program. “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.”
The collaboration between Georgetown and Manchester City will provide students with other unique opportunities, including exclusive guest speakers, career counseling and guided stadium tours. Applications for the program are now open.