Next week, from October 8 to 11, the Portugal Football Summit will take place in the country's capital, Lisbon.
The event will see some of the game's foremost stakeholders – players, league and club representatives, broadcasters, agencies, and governing bodies – gather together at the Cidade do Futebol (City of Football) venue in Lisbon.
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Specifically, speakers include the president of European soccer's governing body UEFA (Aleksander Ceferin), the chief football officer of global governing body FIFA, the head of content at Spanish men's soccer's LaLiga, and the director of competitions for the Qatar Stars League.
On the agenda, meanwhile, are sessions on subjects including the increasing value of women's soccer, how to engage fans through off-pitch methods, and new models for leagues and competitions themselves.
In the days leading up to the conference, Sportcal (GlobalData Sport) spoke to João Medeiros Cardoso, chief marketing and commercial officer at the Portuguese Football Federation.
He assessed the potential benefits of hosting the event for the game in Portugal as a whole, and analysed some of the main themes and speakers that will be involved.
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By GlobalDataWhat are some of the ways this event will benefit the federation?
"The Portugal Football Summit strengthens the federation in several dimensions. First, it positions us internationally as an institution that not only organizes competitions but also leads on knowledge, innovation, and thought leadership. Second, it deepens our relationships with UEFA, FIFA, clubs, leagues, and global stakeholders by creating a privileged space for dialogue. Third, it allows us to connect directly with fans and society, reinforcing our role as a unifying force in Portuguese life. And finally, it leaves us with tangible learnings that can directly benefit our competitions, our development pathways, and the broader ecosystem of Portuguese football."
Can you explain the thinking behind some of the key themes and speakers involved in this event?
"From day one, we wanted the summit to reflect the real priorities shaping football today. That’s why the themes are directly aligned with UEFA’s strategic pillars, from competition innovation to player development, not forgetting refereeing evolution, fan engagement or women’s football. We invited speakers who can bring these themes to life – from global leaders like Aleksander Čeferin, Jill Ellis, and Roberto Martínez to specialists in sports law, medicine, media, and innovation. This ensures the program is both strategic and diverse, with debates that are relevant to federations, clubs, businesses, and also to the fans who live the game every day."
How challenging has organizing this event for the first time been for the federation?
"It has been a significant challenge, precisely because of the scale and ambition of the project. Apart from Euro 2004 and the major competitions we have hosted, this is one of the largest events ever organized by the Portuguese Football Federation.
"Designing everything from scratch – from the content program with more than 200 speakers, to the staging of four simultaneous stages, to the Fan Zone and corporate areas – has required enormous creativity and coordination. But that is also what makes this so rewarding: we are building something entirely new, with the potential to become a landmark event in the global football calendar."
What is the ultimate aim of the FPF in staging this summit?
"Our ambition is to make the Portugal Football Summit a permanent fixture in the international football calendar, with Lisbon and the Cidade do Futebol as its home. The ultimate aim is threefold: to project Portugal as a hub for football thought leadership, to contribute to the global discussion on the game’s future, and to strengthen the ecosystem of Portuguese football by connecting it with the best practices and voices worldwide.
"If every year we can gather the industry, the fans, and society around the game, we will have created something truly transformative."
How commercially beneficial will this be?
"The commercial benefits are relevant, but this summit is about much more than immediate financial return. Its real value lies in creating a long-term asset for the Federation – one that enhances our reputation, attracts international attention, and strengthens our positioning within the global football industry.
"Of course, it will generate opportunities for collaboration with partners and new revenue streams, but above all, it is about investing in knowledge, influence, and visibility that will benefit Portuguese football well into the future."
