FORMAT
Founded in 2018, the SFS Awards celebrate excellence in the Football Industry, honoring clubs, organizations, companies, and professionals who stand out for their quality, innovation, sustainability, creativity, and positive impact.
This format highlights emerging talent, original ideas, technological solutions, and sustainable projects, establishing the SFS Awards as a benchmark not only for consolidated excellence but also for high-potential new players.
The ceremony takes place during an exclusive Gala Dinner, offering a unique high-level networking opportunity among football stakeholders, institutions, partners, finalists, and winners.
This prestigious event reinforces SFS as an international hub for innovation and excellence in the football industry.
APPLICATION CATEGORIES
This year, for the first time, we are opening our doors to those who live and breathe innovation every day by making the Football Tech categories accessible via direct application, of which there will be only three.
Consolidated companies, ambitious startups, and SMEs operating in the Football Industry are invited to submit their projects and solutions via our dedicated digital platform.
All projects submitted via the digital platform will undergo a rigorous evaluation process. Transparency and expertise are guaranteed by a distinguished jury composed of 5 leading figures from the Football Industry—high-profile experts operating daily in the Tech, AI, and Business Management sectors. The jurors will evaluate each entry based on criteria of innovation, scalability, and concrete impact on the sector.
At the conclusion of the evaluations, the jury will elect a single winner for each category. The award ceremony will take place during the exclusive SFS Awards Gala Dinner on November 10, 2026, in Turin.
Information on how to participate and the official regulations will be available soon.
Best Football Tech AI Solution
A recognition dedicated to projects using Artificial Intelligence to generate value. Whether it involves predictive data analysis, process automation, advanced scouting tools, or other applications, we seek excellence in AI at the service of clubs, stakeholders, and institutions.
Best Football Tech Entertainment Solution
We reward solutions that revolutionize the way fans experience football. This includes fan engagement platforms, innovative broadcasting, augmented reality, and new content consumption models.
Best Football Tech Performance & Health Solution
This category is dedicated to innovations that optimize athletic performance, prevent injuries, and improve player health through hardware, wearables, and biomedical monitoring software.
2026 CATEGORIES
Best Content Creator
Celebrates an individual or team that has produced exceptional content (videos, articles, social posts) capable of moving fans and promoting football culture globally.
Best Digital and Social Media Team Club
Honors the media department of a club that has distinguished itself through creativity and strategy in managing digital channels, maximizing fan engagement.
Best Football Tech AI Solution
Awards the most effective integration of Artificial Intelligence in football, from predictive data analysis to personalizing the fan experience.
Best Football Tech Entertainment Solution
Recognizes technologies aimed at transforming football into an immersive spectacle, enhancing fan engagement inside and outside the stadium.
Best Football Tech Performance & Health Solution
Celebrates innovations dedicated to optimizing athletic performance, injury prevention, and the physical well-being of players.
Best Format and Football Community
Recognizes the football community that has created the most original format, generating active participation and a strong collective identity locally or globally.
Best Marketing and Sponsor Activation
Rewards the marketing strategy or sponsorship activation that has generated the greatest value and brand return for a club or organization.
Campaign of the Year
Awarded to the most original, impactful, and innovative communication campaign of the year in the international football landscape.
Female Leadership in Football Emanuela Perinetti
A tribute to the memory of Emanuela Perinetti, dedicated to a female professional under 35 who has stood out for talent, leadership, and significant results in the football industry.
Football Tech Award
The highest recognition for the year’s technological advancement: a revolutionary solution that has concretely changed the dynamics of the game or the industry itself.
Leader in Social Responsibility and Impact
Honors the individual or organization that has used the power of football as a tool for positive change, promoting inclusion and sustainability projects.
Media / Broadcaster of the Year
Recognizes the platform or broadcaster that has provided the best media coverage, raising the standards of football storytelling and the viewing experience.
SFS Extratime GenZ Competition Award
Recognizes the most brilliant project or idea presented by Generation Z, capable of interpreting the new trends and languages of the football of the future.
SFS Extratime StartUp Competition Award
Awarded to the winning startup of Extra Time, recognized for proposing cutting-edge solutions and business models ready to innovate the sector.
Top Manager of the Year
Celebrates the executive figure who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and an excellent vision in the strategic management of a club or football entity.
YouGov Football Index Award
Recognizes the brand or club that, according to YouGov analytical data, has recorded the most significant growth in terms of perception, popularity, and brand health.
RELIVE THE EVENT
The winners of previous editions
Winners 2025
CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR – SSC NAPOLI
TOP MANAGER OF THE YEAR – CLAUDIO FENUCCI
BEST FORMAT AND FOOTBALL COMMUNITY – FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP
BEST DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM CLUB – LIVERPOOL FC
LEADER IN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND IMPACT – PREMIER LEAGUE
FOOTBALL TECH AWARD – PLAYERMAKER
SFS EXTRATIME AWARD – WOVLABS
BEST MARKETING AND SPONSOR ACTIVATION – BORUSSIA DORTMUND
BEST CONTENT CREATOR – ATLETICO DE MADRID
BEST FOOTBALL TECH ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTION – FANTACALCIO
MEDIA/BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR – DAZN
YOUGOV FOOTBALL INDEX AWARD – BARCELONA
FEMALE LEADERSHIP IN FOOTBALL EMANUELA PERINETTI – ERINDA GORENCA
Winners 2024
CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR BY HART SPECIAL RISKS – PALERMO FOOTBALL CLUB
TOP MANAGER OF THE YEAR BY FORTUNE ITALIA – LUCA PERCASSI (ATALANTA BC)
BEST MARKETING AND SPONSOR ACTIVATION BY INFRONT – ICE – ITALIAN TRADE AGENCY
BEST DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM CLUB BY FOOTBALL CARE SILVESTRINI – CLUB ATLETICO DE MADRID
LEADER IN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND IMPACT BY BYD – SOFIE JUNGE PEDERSEN
FOOTBALL TECH AWARD – SELA
SFS EXTRATIME AWARD BY ALMAVIVA – PICKEAT
BEST FORMAT AND FOOTBALL COMMUNITY BY ROMA CAPITALE – KINGS LEAGUE
BEST CONTENT CREATOR BY ADOBE – JUVENTUS CREATOR LAB
BEST FOOTBALL TECH ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTION BY MOSAICO STUDIO – DFL
MEDIA/BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR BY REGIONE LAZIO – SKY SPORT
YOUGOV FOOTBALL INDEX AWARD – GENOA CFC
FEMALE LEADERSHIP IN FOOTBALL AWARD (IN MEMORIA DI EMANUELA PERINETTI) BY GO PROJECT – CLARA SIMONINI
Winners 2023
SOCIAL FOOTBALL PLAYER – FEMALE LAURA GIULIANI – AC MILAN
SOCIAL FOOTBALL PLAYER – MALE LUIS ALBERTO – S.S. LAZIO
TOP MANAGER OF THE YEAR PANTALEO CORVINO – U.S. LECCE
BEST MARKETING E SPONSOR ACTIVATION EBAY
BEST DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM REAL MADRID
TRUST IN THE FUTURE AWARD ANDREA FABRIS – U.S. SASSUOLO CALCIO
LEADER IN SOCIAL RESPONSABILITY CALCIO SOCIALE
BEST LIVE FORMAT RADIO SERIE A CON RDS
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR I BRAINTECH E JUVENTUS
IMPACT AWARD DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY MANCHESTER UNITED
BEST TRANSFERMARKET SEASON 22/23 RAFAELA PIMENTA – AGENTE FIFA
BEST FOOTBALL COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT 433
EXTRA TIME AWARD H-CUBE
BEST MATCH EXPERIENCE FIGC
SPECIAL AWARD ROBIN HOOD
BEST SPORTS MARKETING INTEGRATION TIM DAZN LEGA SERIE A
Winners 2022
TOP MANAGER OF THE YEAR By Go Project – ADRIANO GALLIANI
TOP FAN ENGAGEMENT – CLUB by Zetema RomaPass – AC MILAN
TOP FAN ENGAGEMENT MEDIA By Go Project – SKY SPORT
SPECIAL AWARD BIP – LEGA B – MAURO BALATA
SOCIAL FOOTBALL PLAYER MALE By Social Media Soccer – ANTONIO ROSATI
SOCIAL FOOTBALL PLAYER FEMALE By Massimo Bocci – ANDRESSA ALVES
LEADER IN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY by Cobat – WE PLAY GREEN
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR By E-Gap – KAMA SPORT
IMPACT AWARD by Italiacamp – CAGLIARI CALCIO
BEST TRANSFER MARKET By Almaviva – TIAGO PINTO
BEST MARKETING AND SPONSOR ACTIVATION By Infront – FRECCIAROSSA
BEST LIVE FORMAT by Regione Lazio – GLI AUTOGOL
BEST FOOTBALL COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT by Fantacalcio – OH MY GOAL
BEST DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM CLUB by Talkwalker – PSG
BEST BRAND AND TALENT AGENCY by Lazio Innova – ENTOURAGE GLOBAL SPORTS
Winners 2021
SOCIAL FOOTBALL PLAYER MALE – GIANLUIGI BUFFON
SOCIAL FOOTBALL PLAYER FEMALE – REGINA BARESI
TOP MANAGER OF THE YEAR – GIOVANNI CARNEVALI
BEST MARKETING AND SPONSOR ACTIVATION – SOCIOS.COM
BEST DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM – CLUB – CHELSEA F.C.
BEST DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM – AGENCY – INDACO
LEADER IN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND IMPACT – KHALIDA POPAL
BEST TRANSFER MARKET DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – GIUSEPPE MAROTTA
BEST LIVE FORMAT – BOBO TV
SPECIAL AWARD – FIGC DIVISIONE CALCIO FEMMINILE
TOP FAN ENGAGEMENT – 45° MINUTO
BEST FOOTBALL COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT – CRONACHE DI SPOGLIATOIO
BEST ITALIAN PUBLISHER PARTNER – SPORT NETWORK
Winners 2019
BEST STORYTELLING – CAGLIARI CALCIO
CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR – FIGC
BEST DIGITAL SOLUTION – INTER
BEST SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CAMPAIGN – AS ROMA
EXECUTIVE TALENTS – WALTER SABATINI
BEST SOCIAL FOOTBALL PLAYER – GIORGIO CHIELLINI