AC Milan Launches International Academy in Dubai, Expanding Their Global Footprint and Fostering Young Talent in the Middle East
AC Milan Launches International Academy in Dubai
In a strategic move to expand its global footprint, AC Milan has announced the opening of a new AC Milan International Academy in Dubai. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the local startup Ball Beast Academy, aims to nurture young football talent and promote sports activities in the region.
The Dubai Sports Council hosted the unveiling ceremony, which was spearheaded by AC Milan’s CEO, Giorgio Furlani. This new venture highlights AC Milan’s commitment to its global expansion strategy, backed by RedBird Capital Partners. The inauguration of the academy is part of a broader commitment to the region, which also includes the establishment of Casa Milan Dubai and significant partnerships, such as the one formed during Expo 2020.
Building on its successful 15-year experience with an academy in Kuwait, AC Milan aims to foster a healthy sports culture in the Middle East and Africa, regions with a robust fanbase for the club. The initiative is further bolstered by key partnerships with Emirates, SIRO, and CFI Financial Group, emphasizing the academy’s focus on both personal and athletic development.
Maikel Oettle, Chief Commercial Officer of AC Milan, expressed the club’s vision:
“The inauguration of a new Academy in Dubai is further testimony to our Club’s ambition and desire to strengthen our ties with the Middle East, a strategic region rich in passion for our colours and with millions of supporters. We aim to share the Milan Model and invest in the development of young talent, both on and off the field, with the goal of making a tangible impact on the local communities in which we operate, and developing our international presence.”
The AC Milan International Academy in Dubai joins a prestigious network of over 100 Rossoneri Academies worldwide. In the 2023/24 season alone, these academies have engaged more than 20,000 young athletes, guided by approximately 2,500 AC Milan coaches and educators across three continents. This new addition in Dubai underscores AC Milan’s dedication to fostering young talent and expanding its influence in key international markets.