Sport Management

Sport Management applies the disciplines of business and management to the specific context of sport and physical activity. Sport is a major industry in its own right, encompassing professional and amateur clubs, governing bodies, events, facilities, broadcasting rights, commercial sponsorship, and the public sector provision of leisure and sport development. Managing effectively in this environment requires both general management competence and a deep understanding of the sporting context, including its regulatory structures, its commercial dynamics, and its relationship with communities and participants.

At Southampton Solent University, this programme is available with a foundation year for students who need to develop their academic skills before entering the main degree, with the foundation year leading into the main programme. The full-time degree also includes a sandwich year with work placement opportunities, giving you structured professional experience in sport management before graduation. You will study sports marketing, event management, sports finance, facility management, sports development, and organisational behaviour in sport, alongside the broader management disciplines of strategy, human resources, and operations.

Sport Management graduates are employed across a wide range of organisations in the sport and leisure sector. Professional clubs in football, rugby, cricket, and other sports employ management professionals in commercial, marketing, communications, and operations roles. National governing bodies, leisure trusts, local authority sport departments, event management companies, sports agencies, and stadium operators are further employers.

The placement year is particularly important in a field where industry contacts and demonstrated experience matter considerably for career entry. Many graduates pursue professional qualifications in events management or sport development alongside or after their degree. Postgraduate study in sport business or sport management is available for those who want to advance their knowledge.