Institute for Sport Governance at the 10th Sport Business Polska Congress
On 21 October, representatives of the Institute for Sport Governance (ISG) took part in the 10th anniversary edition of the Sport Business Polska Congress, held in Warsaw. The event, one of the most important gatherings in Poland’s sports industry calendar, once again brought together hundreds of experts, club representatives, local authorities, companies, universities, and athletes.
Sport, Business, and the Future of the Industry
For years, the Congress has been one of the key meeting points for professionals across the Polish sports sector. This year’s edition demonstrated how dynamically the event continues to grow—both in terms of organization and content. We are pleased to see it becoming a true platform where the Polish sports community can meet, exchange experiences, and discuss the future directions of the sector.
The main stage featured several strategic discussions. The opening panel focused on the National Sports Development Strategy, with speakers including Piotr Borys (Ministry of Sport and Tourism), Maja Włoszczowska, Witold Bańka (World Anti-Doping Agency), and Łukasz Sekuła (Legia Warszawa). The debate highlighted that, despite clear declarations to strengthen the role of sport in public policy, Poland still lacks a coherent and consistently implemented long-term strategy.
One of the most relevant topics was sports diplomacy—a theme strongly aligned with ISG’s mission. Participants emphasized that Poland remains underrepresented in international sports organizations, limiting its influence on strategic decisions such as the allocation of major sporting events. Effective international sports policy requires long-term planning and the building of durable relationships—not just symbolic declarations.
“The Future of Sport” – Technology, Women, and Niche Disciplines
A major source of inspiration came from the “Future of Sport” block, which addressed the digital transformation of clubs, the use of AI in sports management, the development of women’s sports, and the promotion of lesser-known disciplines. The discussions illustrated how rapidly the sports ecosystem is evolving and how essential it is to integrate technological, social, and educational perspectives in the professionalization of sport.
Another highlight was the masterclass “Financial First League”, prepared by Grant Thornton and Betclic 1. Liga, which presented a comprehensive report analyzing the financial condition of Polish football clubs. It remains one of the few studies offering such in-depth insights into the economic realities and challenges faced by professional sports organizations in Poland.
Networking That Matters
Beyond the stage discussions, the Congress also provided invaluable opportunities for informal conversations. For our team, it was a chance to reconnect with many representatives from across the sports ecosystem, exchange opinions, and discuss projects that often don’t find space in the busy daily schedule. Events like this one remind us of the importance of face-to-face dialogue and relationship-building, which often lead to meaningful collaboration.
As ISG President PhD Grzegorz Botwina noted:
“Many of these conversations would be difficult to hold in the office or over the phone. But here—over a cup of coffee—you can sort things out in just a few minutes, which would otherwise take weeks. That’s the true value of such events.”
Summary
Participation in the 10th Sport Business Polska Congress reaffirmed that dialogue between the sports, business, and academic communities is key to the development of Polish sport.
The Institute for Sport Governance will continue to support initiatives that promote good governance, social responsibility, and international cooperation in the field of sport.
