Sport Business Management

Sport business management applies the concepts and tools of business education to the distinctive and rapidly growing world of sport. Sport is an industry of considerable economic scale, encompassing professional clubs and leagues, governing bodies, event management, media rights, sponsorship, fitness and wellness businesses, and the infrastructure of venues and facilities that supports them all. Managing organisations in this environment requires business acumen combined with an understanding of how sport as both a cultural phenomenon and a commercial product works differently from other industries.

At the University of Chester, this four-year programme includes a foundation year, which builds the academic and subject knowledge needed for the main degree before you transition into the full programme. Across your studies, you will explore core business disciplines such as finance, marketing, human resource management, and strategy, applying them specifically to sporting contexts. You will examine how clubs and governing bodies are organised and funded, how sponsorship and media deals work, what sport event management involves, and how the sport and leisure sector operates commercially and in relation to the wider public good.

The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the chance to experience sport business in a different national context, which is increasingly valuable in a global industry.

Graduates move into a wide range of roles within the sport and leisure sector. Sports organisations of all sizes, from local clubs to international federations, employ business graduates to manage operations, commercial partnerships, communications, and strategic development. Event management companies, sports marketing agencies, and sponsorship consultancies are further destinations.

Public sector roles in leisure management, sports development, and facility management are another pathway, as are positions in the fitness and wellness industry, which has grown considerably in recent years. Some graduates move into sports media, journalism, or content creation. Others continue to postgraduate study, deepening their expertise in sport management, business, or a related discipline.