The SportBusiness International 2025 Rankings highlight Johan Cruyff Institute’s Master in Sport Management Online as the best in Europe and Top 5 worldwide among online sports management programs
Once again, the Master in Sport Management Online remains among the top specialized training programs. Its position was confirmed in the annual SportBusiness International 2025 rankings, which assessed graduates’ professional advancement and average salary, as well as the program’s practical approach.
Through this recognition, Johan Cruyff Institute strengthens its position at the top of the global sports management education rankings, even in a context of growing competition.
SportBusiness International 2025 Ranking
2025 marks the third consecutive year that the Master in Sport Management Online has been ranked No. 1 in Europe for distance learning. Globally, it holds the 25th position in the overall ranking. Meanwhile, the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management Barcelona was also recognized, ranking in the Top 20 in Europe and the Top 5 in Spain.
The SportBusiness International rankings are based on surveys of program directors and alumni, incorporating variables such as curriculum quality, employment support, extracurricular initiatives, and the strength of the alumni network.
Key Factors for recognition
In the case of the Master in Sport Management Online, two main aspects were decisive in achieving this ranking:
- Professional mentoring, based on the learning by doing methodology, which allows students to apply real projects to the demands of the sports industry.
- The quality of the teaching staff, combining academic experts with active professionals in the sports sector.
Graduate experiences
Lucas Faggiano, graduate of the Master’s program and professional basketball player, highlights the transformation the program brought to his career: “This program gave me a broad and deep perspective on sport. As an athlete, you don’t usually see everything that goes on behind the scenes of an event. I discovered the magnitude of the work that takes place backstage to make everything work.”
Julieta Franco, alumna of Johan Cruyff Institute and current director of the women’s field hockey team at Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, emphasizes the boost the program gave her professional career: “The training I received at Johan Cruyff Institute was not only theoretical, but it also gave me the tools I need to meet the demands of my current job.”
Àlex Abella, currently Head of Sponsorship & Marketing at Bàsquet Club Andorra S.A., found this Master’s program while looking for one that covered all areas of sports management: finance, marketing, sponsorship, event management, and facilities. “Based on my experience and business interests, I searched for a specialization in sports management and decided to study at Johan Cruyff Institute, which met all my expectations,” he explains.
Recognition for Teamwork
Albert Romans, General Manager of Johan Cruyff Institute, highlights the work of the academic team in achieving this distinction: “This recognition from SportBusiness is the result of the constant work of the entire academic team, whose goal is to offer the highest quality training, with a practical approach adapted to the needs of the sports industry.”
Lukas Dorda, Associate Academic Director, stresses personalized guidance and adaptability to student needs as key factors in maintaining the top position in the SportBusiness International 2025 rankings: “Johan Cruyff Institute was one of the pioneers in online sports management education, and the SportBusiness ranking reaffirms that we remain at the forefront. What we value most is the recognition of what makes us unique: the human touch.
“We accompany each student in a close and personalized way, with the flexibility to adapt the programs to their personal and professional circumstances. ”
“In addition, our specialization pathways allow them to design a tailor-made academic journey aligned with their interests, aspirations, and future goals.”
The recognition by SportBusiness International 2025 confirms Johan Cruyff Institute’s Master in Sport Management Online as a global benchmark in specialized education. This achievement reaffirms the institution’s commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and the professional development of its students, consolidating its role as a leader in training the future managers of the sports industry.
