July 15, 2026 · Prudential Center · Newark, NJ
The Global Game
The Future of Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Tech & Media
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS INCLUDE
THE ROOM WILL BE REPRESENTED BY
The conference shaping the business of the World Cup...as the tournament reaches its conclusion.
Featuring athletes, executives, and leaders from across men's and women's soccer, media platforms, and technology companies.
The World Cup is coming to the United States — with New Jersey at the center.
The real opportunity isn't just on the field.
It's in infrastructure, media, technology, and capital.
This conference brings together the leaders building that ecosystem — before the final.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET
(Programming runs 8:30 AM sharp through 3:00 PM)
AGENDA
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Doors Open / Breakfast
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Speaker: Greg Kahn, CEO, GK Digital Ventures & Founder of The Global Game HQ
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Capital, Clubs & the Business of Global Football
Where is the capital flowing, and who controls the game next? The day opens with the macro story — ownership, governance, media rights, and the sovereign and private capital reshaping who runs soccer.
Moderator: Darren Rovell, Founder, cllct Media
Panelists:
Nicolás García Hemme, Managing Director, LALIGA North America
Charlie Stillitano, President of TEG Sport North America and Head of Global Sport, and President of Spezia Calcio
Fred Mangione, Chief Business Officer, FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee
Sarah Jordan, Owner, AFC Toronto
Amina Bulman, Chief Revenue Officer, Boston Legacy FC
Joe Stetson, Chief Commercial Officer, Red Bull New York
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Content, Distribution & Premium Fan Experiences
How are fans actually consuming the game now? Platform strategy, content distribution, and the infrastructure — from streaming to live-event technology — shaping how fans reach and experience the sport.
Moderator: Vanessa Perdomo, Sports Business Reporter & Host, Bloomberg News
Panelists:
Elliot Richardson, Founder, Chairman and key shareholder, Dugout & ONEFOOTBALL
Michaela Hammond, Co-founder and CEO, OffBall
Rich Battista, Executive Chairman, Wave Sports & Entertainment
Bo Han, Chief Commercial Officer, Transmit
Jeremi Gorman, Chief Revenue Officer, Fanatics Advertising
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Innovation, AI & the Future of Football
How are technology leaders helping shape the future of football? From AI and computer vision to fan engagement, performance, and officiating, this conversation explores the innovations transforming the world's biggest sport.
Moderator: Tom Bergeron, Owner, editor of BINJE
Panelists:
Chris Schlosser, Senior Vice President, Emerging Ventures, MLS
Max Wright, Managing Director, Football, Hawk-Eye Innovations
Asna Khan, Head of Product, FIT:MATCH
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How Women's Sports Became the Fastest-Growing Business in Sport
Which cultural shift is creating the biggest commercial opportunity in the sport right now?
Co-Moderators:
Gayle Troberman, Co-Founder, Bubbler Media & iHeartMedia
Laura Correnti, Founder & CEO, Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment
Panelists:
Ashlyn Harris, Former Goalkeeper, USWNT, Orlando Pride, and Gotham FC
Arianna Orpello, Chief Marketing Officer, GEICO
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Moderator: Arda Öcal, Emmy Award Winning Broadcaster
Panelists:
Junior Moraes, Former Pro Football Player
Raul Gustavo, Defender, New York City Football Club
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Co-Moderators:
Greg Kahn, CEO, GK Digital Ventures & Founder of The Global Game HQ
Arda Öcal, Emmy Award Winning Broadcaster
Panelist:
Mikael Silvestre, 5x Premier League Champion
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Interviewer: Greg Kahn, CEO, GK Digital Ventures & Founder of The Global Game HQ
Interviewee: Rand Getlin, Executive Producer, HBO's U.S. Against the World
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Interviewer: Greg Kahn, CEO, GK Digital Ventures & Founder of The Global Game HQ
Interviewee: Jennifer Brisman, Founder and CEO, VOW
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Brand Strategy at the Intersection of Sports, Tech & Culture
How are brands capitalizing on these shifts? Four distinct verticals — technology, real estate, sports, and consumer brands — on what makes a sponsorship press-worthy in a World Cup year.
Moderator: Todd Spangler, Business Editor, Variety
Panelists:
Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President and Chief Global Affairs Officer, IBM
Alicia Parker, Managing Director & Chief Marketing Officer, Tishman Speyer
Sophie Kelly, SVP of Global Tequila and Mezcal Categories, Diageo
Rich Orosco, Chief Brand Officer, Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC)
Jeff Shafer, SVP, Corporate Marketing and Chief Communication Officer, Lenovo
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What's Next for the Global Game
What does the industry look like after the trophy is lifted? Closes the day looking past the tournament rather than at it.
Moderator: Kacey White, Former Midfielder USWNT, 2008 Olympic Alternate, Match Analyst for MLS on Apple TV
Panelists:
Abe Geiger, Chief Product Officer, U.S. Soccer Federation
Danita Johnson, President of Business Operations, D.C. United
Courtney Carter, Chief Revenue Officer, Seattle Sounders FC & Seattle Reign FC
Evan Dabby, Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Youth Soccer & President, USCSA
Erik Stover, Chief Executive Officer, New York Cosmos
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Remarks from our special guest
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Creators, culture and global impact with Dhar Mann and Hugh Evans and Influential Co-Founder and CCO Chris Detert
Moderator: Chris Detert, Chief Communications Officer, Influential
Panelists:
Dhar Mann, Founder, Dhar Mann Studios
Hugh Evans, Co-Founder and CEO, Global Citizen
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Speaker: Greg Kahn, CEO, GK Digital Ventures & Founder of The Global Game HQ
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Global Game Community Celebration
England vs. Argentina - Live at Prudential Center
Match Begins: 3:00 PM
As the Global Game Summit concludes, the celebration continues.
Youth players, student-athletes, community organizations, coaches and families are invited to join leaders from across sports, media, technology and entertainment for a special afternoon celebrating the global game.
Watch England and Argentina battle for a place in Sunday’s championship match alongside executives, athletes, media leaders and innovators from around the world.
Guests will have the opportunity to:
Experience one of the biggest matches of the summer with fellow fans.
Meet Summit speakers, athletes and special guests (subject to availability).
Connect with leaders from sports, media, technology and entertainment.
Celebrate Finals Week in the New York/New Jersey host region.
Inspire the next generation by bringing together the future of the game with the communities that power it.
The Global Game Community Celebration is designed for youth soccer clubs, high school and college teams, student-athletes, community organizations, coaches, families and supporters of the game.
Complimentary admission. Advance registration is encouraged, as space is limited.
Presented as part of the Global Game Summit’s commitment to growing the game by connecting the next generation with the leaders shaping its future.
MEDIA ATTENDING INCLUDES
WHAT WE COVER
As a curated, full-day conference, the 2026 program will focus on key forces shaping the global game.
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The deals reshaping global soccer are being made right now. This block brings together owners, investors, and capital allocators driving the sport's next era — multi-club portfolios, sovereign wealth plays, private equity entry points, and the geopolitics of cross-border club ownership.
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Soccer has become one of the most powerful content and brand-building engines on the planet. This block covers three distinct but connected conversations: who is competing for cultural relevance and fan attention at the brand and platform level; how the sport has become a premium entertainment IP category driving a new wave of film, documentary, and TV production; and the CMO-to-athlete conversation at the intersection of women's sports and media.
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Technology is changing how soccer is owned, experienced, and monetized at every level. This block covers AI and machine learning, prediction markets, sports betting regulation, and the data infrastructure powering decisions across clubs, leagues, and broadcast partners.
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The women's game and international markets are the most exciting growth frontiers in soccer. This block includes a dedicated women's session — kept entirely separate from the country session — and a signature country investment session.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS