Many of the most senior figures in world football, some legends of the game and a touch of Hollywood will all feature when ECA holds its 30th General Assembly in Berlin on 5-7 September 2023.
Clubs from across the continent will come together to discuss and shape the future of European club football, they will hear from key stakeholders on the latest developments in the game and ECA Member Clubs will take part in elections for the new ECA Board for the ECA Membership Cycle 2023/27.
Hosted by renowned presenter Hayley McQueen, the three-day assembly at Berlin’s Intercontinental Hotel promises to be the biggest-ever ECA General Assembly with hundreds of clubs in attendance from across European football.
In addition to addresses from ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, a video address from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and from Mahmut Özdemir, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, participants will be treated to fireside chats from three world-renowned business, entertainment and sports leaders:
- Natalie Portman is an Academy Award winning actress, producer, author, and co-Founder of Angel City FC (the world’s first, and only all-female funded franchise, playing in the National Women’s Soccer League in the US). She is a dedicated philanthropist, and campaigner, and will be speaking about the potential of women’s football and the power of female leaders working in sport.
- Timothy Leiweke has over 30 years of global sports and entertainment experience, having been deeply involved in the evolution of the NHL, NBA and MLS. He founded Oak View Group (OVG) in 2015 and serves as the company’s CEO. Leiweke also spent 18 years at the helm of AEG, turning it into a global live entertainment organisation.
- Sir Steve Hansen is one the greatest sporting coaches of the modern era. His record as head coach of the New Zealand All Blacks is unrivalled with 107 international games, winning 93, drawing 4 and losing 10, an 87% success rate. He took over the team after the 2011 World Cup and retired in 2019. In 2013 his All Blacks were the first test team to have a perfect unbeaten season. He has won 2 Rugby World Cups, in 2011 (Assistant Coach) and 2015 (Head Coach), was named World Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016 and was knighted by the Queen in 2020.
Charlie Marshall, ECA CEO, said: “We are delighted to have these distinguished speakers joining us at the ECA General Assembly in Berlin. They are all thought leaders in their respective fields and bring a diverse range of perspectives to the table. Their insights are sure to stimulate engaging discussions amongst our clubs and set the tone for the future of the game.”
The General Assembly will also see a string of Football Legends in attendance and Marshall added: “The presence of some of the legends of the game will undoubtedly add a touch of magic to our gathering. We are honoured to have them amongst us to help us shape the future of European club football.”
The overall programme features a series of presentations showcasing ECA’s services, available to all European clubs including both ECA Member Clubs and ECA Network Clubs, who for the first time are joining a General Assembly in person.
The first plenary session, the afternoon of Wednesday 6 September, begins with a welcome from ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, followed by an address from UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and a video address from FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, followed by guest speakers Natalie Portman and Tim Leiweke.
The second plenary session, the morning of Thursday 7 September, features an address by the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, Mahmut Özdemir, followed by the ECA Board elections for the new European club cycle 2023/27 and guest speaker Sir Steve Hansen.
The 30th General Assembly closes at lunchtime with the first constitutive meeting of the new ECA Board followed immediately by a press conference.