We’re glad to announce that AFTERMATCH will appear at the International Conference on Dual Career, taking place on 25th September 2026 at BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany. The event is organised by EDU-DC: EDUcation for Dual Careers Project, which focuses on supporting football players aged 16 to 21 and helping them develop as both athletes and individuals.
The September conference will bring together representatives of football organisations, academies, coaches, educators and dual-career professionals from all across Europe. The event will focus on one of the key challenges in modern football: how to support young players in developing their sporting careers, while also preparing them for daily life after the athlete’s retirement.
Dual career is a risingly important part of long-term athlete development. Combining high-level training and competition with education and personal development can help young footballers to build a broader set of skills. This prepares them for different stages of their lives and careers.
The conference programme will begin with a plenary session. Participants will also be introduced to the main outcomes of the EDU-DC project, including findings from an international study on dual career best practices in football.
The keynote contributions of the conference will be delivered by Stephane Ehrhart from UEFA Academy, and Stephan Hakkers, representing EDU-DC, but not only them. The meeting will feature practical workshops from European clubs and associations representatives. The list now consists, among others, of:
- The Football Association (England) together with Crystal Palace
- Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) together with SC Cambuur
- Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
- Athletic Club Bilbao (Spain)
For AFTERMATCH, participation in the conference is an opportunity to share experiences with professionals from organisations working on the future of football. It will also provide a valuable opportunity to learn from initiatives being developed across Europe. The conference offers a space for discussion around the structures that support young footballers on and off the pitch. By bringing together organisations and professionals from different fields, the event aims to strengthen cooperation and promote approaches to look from a wider perspective.
We’re looking forward to meet experts from across Europe and exchange perspectives on the future of dual career, education and talent development in football. Join us and see you in Leverkusen!