Practical Experiences
- VIP tour of the iconic Etihad Stadium
- Behind-the-scenes visit to the City Football Academy
- Opportunity to take part in training sessions
- More exciting experiences to be announced!
Business Summer School 2026 - Bookings close on 22nd June
Careers in sport start here. Celebrate the Women’s Team becoming WSL Champions — enjoy 10% off with code WINNERS10
Next Gen Man City: The Business of Football is a premium summer programme in 2026 for students aged 14–17 who want an early pathway into careers in sport and sports business.
Hosted at the City Football Academy, the global headquarters of Manchester City, the programme gives students rare, behind-the-scenes access to how an elite football organisation operates, from marketing and media to leadership, data and commercial strategy.
Designed for ambitious students, this immersive experience builds real understanding, confidence and career clarity before college or university.
Notable alumni of Next Gen include Braydon Bent and Sam Hammerer, who have both since gone on to work for the Club in media and sporting roles.
What’s included?
- 25 hours of interactive workshops per week
- Practical experiences
- Leading industry experts
- Behind-the-scenes access
- Closing ceremony
- Certification of completion
- Etihad Stadium tour
- Extra-curricular activities
- All meals
- High-quality en-suite accommodation
- 24/7 on-site security and residential support team
What you’ll learn
The commercial aspects associated with sports have evolved dramatically over the past decade to enable sporting organisations to reach stakeholders all over the globe. These activities have enabled athletes and teams to grow their fan bases and attract internationally recognised sponsors.
Next Gen Man City offers industry-leading access to the fast-paced world of sports business. If you’re interested in how sports brands are built, how organisations attract and retain major sponsors, how fan and community experiences are enhanced, or how major events are managed, this summer programme is perfect for you.
Students will experience:
- Immersive Learning: Experience the sports industry first-hand, with interactive workshops and unique behind-the-scenes access.
- Industry Experts: Meet a plethora of innovative creators, covering a wide range of industry topics.
- Leadership Skills: Develop skill sets that can be applied in both sport and business.
Topics covered:
- Careers in Sports Business
- Sports Marketing
- Kit Design
- Fan Engagement
- Community Engagement
- Event Management
- Sports Sponsorship
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Who is this for?
This is for students who want to:
- Explore The Business of Football
- Experience life inside one of the world's leading clubs
- Build confidence, friendships and global perspective
- Strengthen college and university applications with credible experience
Course Information
- 25 hours of interactive workshops per week
- Leading industry experts
- Behind-the-scenes access
- Closing ceremony
- Certification of completion
- Etihad Stadium tour
- Extra-curricular activities
- All meals
- High-quality en-suite accommodation
- 24/7 on-site security and residential support team
Here are some of the core topics covered:
- Careers in Sports Business
- Sport Finance & Investment
- Sports Marketing & Athlete Branding
- Kit Design & Fan Engagement
- Community Engagement
- Event Management & Sports Sponsorship
- Entrepreneurial Mindset & Business Innovation
Daytime activities take place Monday to Friday, 10am–4pm (with a lunch break). In the evenings, students can take part in a range of optional social events and activities designed to enhance their overall experience.
While there is no formal assessment during the programme, students are asked to complete 1-2 assignments per programme, and they receive feedback from the guest lecturers and the programme team in charge of reviewing those submissions to aid their learning.
Students receive a certificate of completion during the closing ceremony on the last day of the programme.
Online pre-departure Q&A drop-in sessions with the programme team will take place.
Dates & times will be communicated with parents in due course.
During these sessions, you will receive further details about your programme and will have the chance to ask any questions from the programme team.
If you were unable to attend these pre-departure Q&A sessions, a recorded version will be made available.
To apply for 2026 Next Gen Man City, follow the link: Apply Now
Attendees should arrive on the Sunday between 12:00 and 16:00 for check-in. Should this be a problem for your child, please reach out to [email protected].
More information will be shared with the booker’s email in due course.
Admissions
To apply for 2026 Next Gen Man City, follow the link: Apply Now
Next Gen Man City is designed for students who will be aged 14–17-year-old during the programme.
All students are mixed during activities, independently of their age, nationality, or gender (except for dorm arrangements).
Diversity is one of MCSBS’ institutional pillars, and an aspect of the Next Gen Man City programme that truly enriches the student experience. Students will enjoy the programme alongside peers from multiple socio-economic, cultural and gender backgrounds.
Nationality: Over the last three years we have had students attending the programme from over 30 countries, across 5 continents.
Gender: On average, 25% of our student population is female. We expect that percentage to keep growing.
The programme aims to be gender balance/neutral in terms of content, and as such, sessions will always touch on the female figure in different sport sectors and have female guest speakers too. Our speakers provide a wonderful opportunity for all program participants to hear from successful women who are working in and leading the sport industry in various capacities.
- We do have female staff on site at all times, and female members of the residential life team available 24/7 and we separate students by gender identity for dorm arrangements.
- We set up a class contract during the welcome session on day, where we cover a number of topics, including respect among peers, and sexual harassment. We operate a zero-tolerance policy with any type of harassment.
Pricing
The price for 2026 Next Gen Man City is £4,999. This includes:
- 25 hours of interactive workshops per week
- Leading industry experts
- Behind-the-scenes access
- Closing ceremony
- Certification of completion
- Etihad Stadium tour
- Extra-curricular activities
- All meals
- High-quality en-suite accommodation
- 24/7 on-site security and residential support team
You may choose to pay the full amount at the time of booking or pay a 20% deposit, with the remaining balance due before the programme start date.
Yes, you can. A 20% deposit is required to secure your place. The remaining balance must be paid by 1st May 2026.
ACCOMODATION & FACILITIES
Students will enjoy newly-built facilities in central Manchester. They will have their own rooms, with en-suite toilet and shower, and access to a shared kitchen and common rooms.
Laundry facilities are available to all students. Further details will be shared to enrolled students.
All classes and official programme activities are chaperoned by our instructors and programme staff. Campus Security as well as student life staff are present in the halls of residence 24/7 for the duration of the programme.
We recommend that students and parents/guardians discuss safety guidelines and expectations prior to their arrival at Next Gen Man City.
Food and lifestyle
All meals are included (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) across the programme, including weekends.
Students can indicate any allergies or necessary dietary requirements prior to arrival in their programme forms.
The weather in Manchester is unpredictable and variable, even in summer – so the best packing plan is to pack layers! Light and cool casual summer clothing, jacket, sweatshirt or hoodie, raincoat, sandals, sporty clothing, comfortable walking shoes, pyjamas, a set of nicer, professional clothes.
Students should also bring clothing that is smart casual and appropriate for class site visits to offices and workspaces (comfortable, but presentable). Formal and/or semi-formal wear is not necessary (dress clothes, dresses/gowns, suits and ties, dress shoes, sports jackets, etc.). No specific football kit is necessary, but students can bring it if they want for some ad-hoc sport sessions during free time.
What to bring:
- Clothing: The weather in Manchester is unpredictable and variable, even in summer – so the best packing plan is to pack layers! Light and cool casual summer clothing, jacket, sweatshirt or hoodie, raincoat, sandals, sporty clothing, comfortable walking shoes, pyjamas, a set of nicer, professional clothes.*
- Weather gear: sunscreen, sunglasses, raincoat, umbrella, reusable water bottle
- Academic supplies: laptop, tablet, notebook or journal; we suggest students bring a laptop/tablet if they have access to it, but our Next Gen programme staff will have some laptops available for students if necessary.
- Personal electronics: smart phone, camera, alarm clock, headphones, travel adapters, chargers, etc. – there is a lockable cupboard in each accommodation room to secure valuable items.
- Personal items: travel-size toiletries, hair dryer, etc.
- Prescription medication for the duration of your programme (if applicable); please note some medications commonly prescribed in other countries may not be readily available in the UK.
- Laundry bag
- Photo ID/Passport and copy of health insurance details.
- Spending money (for souvenirs and incidentals).
- *Students should also bring clothing that is smart casual and appropriate for class site visits to offices and workspaces (comfortable, but presentable). Formal and/or semi-formal wear is not necessary (dress clothes, dresses/gowns, suits and ties, dress shoes, sports jackets, etc.). No specific football kit is necessary, but students can bring it if they want for some ad-hoc sport sessions during free time.
What NOT to bring:
- Students may not bring flammable materials, including but not limited to candles, incense, matches, lighters, explosive devices or fireworks. Violators of this policy will be subject to immediate dismissal.
- Students are not allowed to bring or possess weapons of any kind, including but not limited to knives, firearms, paintball guns, laser pointers, pepper spray or other dangerous items. Violators of this policy will be subject to immediate dismissal.
- Students are not allowed to use or possess tobacco or nicotine products, alcoholic beverages, drugs or unauthorized medications. Violators of this policy will be subject to immediate dismissal.
- Students are not allowed to have or operate a car, skateboard, skates or a bicycle on campus.
- Students may not bring pets.
- Students many not bring drones or any other motorized objects.
- We recommend that students not bring any valuables;
- Bedding and towels are provided, so students need not bring sheets, pillows, blankets or towels. However, if students prefer to bring their own bedding, they can.
Students are accompanied by a member of the residential team when they move in, so we have no problem allowing parents to go with the students and the member of staff if they so desire.
Parents accompanying students on arrival day are welcome to stay for the Welcome Session too. The welcome session is not in the dorms, but on a lecture theatre on campus.
During the programme, parents or family visits are not allowed.
We do have a system in place to allow students to:
- Leave the campus area for a short period (e.g. to the shops nearby) during their free time in the evening, always in pairs or groups, and they have to inform the residential advisor on duty and complete a ‘buddy-system’ form or regular leave request form before doing so, indicating their intended destination, name of their “buddy”, and expected return time, as well as their contact numbers. This request must be approved by a residential advisor.
- Leave campus for a more extended period, or on their own, or miss classes due to other commitments. In those cases, students must complete a Special Leave Request Form and receive parent/guardian approval.
TRAVEL, VISAS & INSURANCE
Visitors coming to the UK who do not hold a paper, or e-visa (such as visitors coming from non-visa national countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia etc.) must now apply for an electronic travel authorisation document. Your carrier will not allow you to check in unless you hold this document.
This should be applied for online; as of November 2025, the cost is £16 and can be used for visits to the UK for a two-year period.
The processing time for this document is around three days so needs to be done in advance of buying your flight ticket.
The following link to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation:
You are strongly advised to take out private medical insurance, as you will be liable for NHS charges for the treatment you receive in the UK except for in a medical emergency and this is limited.
Some countries have a reciprocal agreement with the UK which may entitle you to some free healthcare on the NHS, but you should seek advice from the health authorities in your home country about exactly what treatment will be covered.
