TGG Live 2026

The annual conference for insights, ideas and networking.

September 29th—30th, 2026

Old Trafford, Manchester

Overview

TGG Live has become a key fixture in the football calendar, drawing hundreds of senior delegates from dozens of top clubs and federations, all eager to discover the latest innovations in football and beyond.

In the words of former Leeds United and Sevilla Sporting Director Victor Orta, TGG is “a reference for professionals in football,” and TGG Live brings together the biggest names from our podcast, webinars and articles for live, unmissable sessions.

Following the success of TGG Live 2025 at Old Trafford – our biggest event to date, with more than 450 delegates, 35 elite speakers and 15 sponsors – we are delighted to once again be returning to the iconic home of Manchester United for TGG Live 2026.

Expect high-profile speakers from elite clubs and federations, plus cross-industry experts from other sports and sectors. We are introducing specialist break-out sessions, allowing delegates to deep-dive into their areas of expertise for greater depth and practical takeaways, alongside enhanced networking opportunities throughout both days.

Day One concludes with an exclusive networking dinner at Old Trafford.

A range of sponsorship packages are available, each designed to position your company as an integral part of this premier, industry-leading event, which delivers access, visibility and connections that other conferences can’t match.

Speakers

Day One

Merijn Zeeman

Spent 16 years in pro cycling, the last 10 as Sporting Director of Team Visma-Lease a Bike. Transformed the team from bottom of the World Tour rankings into the most dominant force in the sport, culminating in winning all three Grand Tours in 2023. Central to this success was a culture-first, data-driven approach - principles Merijn is now applying to football as General Manager of AZ Alkmaar.

Day One

Simon Wilson

The new Sporting Director at Sheffield Wednesday, charged with helping to revive a fallen giant. Previously played a central role in one of English football's most remarkable recent success stories, taking Stockport from National League to League One in six years. Has also held senior roles at Manchester City, Sunderland and Southampton.

Day One

Leigh Bromby

Former defender for Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday who spent nine years at Huddersfield Town, progressing from Academy Manager to Sporting Director. Under his stewardship the Terriers reached the 2022 Championship play-off final. Joined Derby in 2025 and is now Talent Acquisition Lead. Role split between leading on recruitment and negotiations, as well as shaping the club's broader strategy.

Day One

Stuart Webber

Spent a decade as one of English football's most prominent Sporting Directors, helping Norwich City and Huddersfield Town gain promotion to the Premier League. After leaving Norwich in 2023, he has pursued his long-held ambition to work abroad, taking up the role of Head of Sports at RB Omiya Ardija in Japan.

Day One

Sasha Satikova

Club Consultant at the sports advistory firm Ludonautics, founded by Ian Graham. Previously Lead Data Scientist at Tottenham, where she headed the club's data science capability, and Senior Data Scientist at Manchester City. Sasha has built her career around using advanced statistical models and machine learning to inform decision-making across recruitment, performance and squad planning.

Day One

Reed Shaffner

Chief Technology Officer at Teamworks, bringing 15 years of experience in technology and product leadership. Previously served as CTO at TeamSnap, and before that held senior product roles at Microsoft and more. Now leads Teamworks' technology strategy, drawing on this cross-industry experience to help build tools for athletes and elite sports organisations.

Day One

Claire-Marie Roberts

Most recently the Performance Director at Coventry City, tasked with delivering the highest standards across all aspects of elite performance in a period that culminated in promotion to the Premier League. Spent seven years as Chartered Psychologist for the British Olympic Association and nearly nine at the Premier League, latterly as Head of Elite Development. A former international swimmer and midfielder for Swindon and Aston Villa, Claire-Marie brings rare experience as athlete, coach, psychologist and performance leader.

Day Two

Neil Bath

Neil spent 30 years at Chelsea, holding a variety of senior roles including Academy Manager and Director of Development and Operations. During this time, the Academy enjoyed one of the most successful periods in its history. After leaving in July 2024, Neil has travelled extensively across the globe studying best practice in both sport and business, and now leads his own leadership consultancy.

Day Two

Stephen Torpey

Joined Man Utd as Academy Director in 2025, taking responsibility for all aspects of the club's youth development system. Arrived from Brentford, where he had led rebuild of the club's Academy structure and eventual return to Category One. Before that, spent time at Man City, leading Academy coaching across all ages, and at Liverpool, where he headed the Foundation phase.

Day Two

Jon Hunter-Barrett

Has spent 14 years at Wolves, progressing through eight different roles to become Academy Director. Now one of the most experienced Academy leaders in the country. During his time at Compton Park, Jon has been instrumental in shaping the club's player development philosophy.

Day Two

David Rainford

David joined Brentford as Academy Director in early 2026, arriving from the Premier League, where he spent nearly a decade shaping the national youth development system. As Head of Education and Academy Player Care since 2020, he led the development of the National Duty of Care provision within the Elite Player Performance Plan.

Day Two

Joe Newton

Experienced Performance Analyst/ Coach-Analyst who transitioned from a playing career with Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham. Spent six years at Brentford as First Team Analyst, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League. Was a pioneer of the Coach-Analyst role at Tottenham in 2025/26.

Day Two

JP Pittman

Played for clubs including Grimsby, Oxford and Wycombe before retiring through injury in 2019. Gained his UEFA A Licence and graduated from the Premier League's Player to Coach Scheme before joining Exeter and then Forest Green. Joined Brentford in 2023 as Assistant U18s Head Coach and now leads on Individual Development Plans, drawing on a Master's in sports coaching from Leeds Beckett.

Day Two

Paul Ford MBE

Spent more than 15 years as Director of Sport for the British Olympic Association, leading high-performance strategy for Team GB across multiple Olympic Games. In April 2026 he made the move into pro football, joining Norwich City as Performance Director with responsibility for medical, performance, nutrition and psychology.

Day Two

Dr Robert Percy Marshall

As Director of Medical & Performance at AFC Bournemouth, leads all areas of athlete health and performance across the club. Before joining Bournemouth, served as Team Doctor at RB Leipzig (2018–2025), helping the club win two DFB Cups and the German Supercup, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Host

Sarah Mulkerrins

Sarah returns to host TGG Live after fronting our last two events. Sports broadcaster known mainly for her work over the last decade on BBC TV and radio, where she has covered World Cups, Olympics, World Championships and many of the biggest sports news stories.

AGENDA