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 clubs and federations across Europe for two days of live, unmissable insight.
Following TGG Live 2025 – our biggest yet – we’re back at Old Trafford for 2026. As ever, our agenda is built around the people running the game.
Keynotes come from Merijn Zeeman (Managing Director, AZ Alkmaar) and Neil Bath (former Director of Football Development, Chelsea). A Sporting Director panel with Ross Wilson (Newcastle), Simon Wilson (Sheffield Wednesday) and Leigh Bromby (Derby County), while an Academy Director panel features Stephen Torpey (Manchester United), David Rainford (Brentford) and Jonathan Hunter-Barrett (Wolves).
Dr Claire-Marie Roberts, who helped guide Coventry City to promotion to the Premier League as Performance Director, joins the bill too, alongside a new session for this year on how a CEO, Director of Football and Head Coach really work together, with Stephen Pearce (Derby County), David Fox (Plymouth Argyle) and Steven Schumacher (Bolton Wanderers).
New for 2026: specialist break-out sessions, so delegates can deep dive on their own area – Sporting Directors, recruitment, analytics, coaching/ Academies and performance – plus more built-in time for networking across both days, closing Day One with an exclusive dinner at Old Trafford.
A few sponsorship packages remain, – with access, visibility and connections other conferences can’t match. Contact events@trainingground.guru for more.
AGENDA
Day One (Sept 29th)
09:30
WELCOME
Sarah Mulkerrins & Simon Austin
09:45
OPENING KEYNOTE
Merijn Zeeman (Managing Director, AZ Alkmaar)
10:15
SPORTING DIRECTOR PANEL
Ross Wilson (Sporting Director, Newcastle United), Simon Wilson (Sporting Director, Sheffield Wednesday) & Leigh Bromby (Talent Acquisition Lead, Derby County)
11:00
THE STATE OF AI IN SPORTS
Reed Shaffner (Chief Technology Officer, Teamworks)
11:30
BREAK
12:00
ELITE PERFORMANCE MARKERS: SPOTTING THE BEST TALENT EARLY
Liam Bailey (Football Analytics Consultant, SkillCorner)
12:20
GLOBAL VIEW ON SPORTING STRATEGY
Stuart Webber (Head of Sport, RB Omiya Ardija)
12:50
LUNCH
13:50
BREAK-OUT 1
Sporting Directors, in association with Gemini Sports
BREAK-OUT 2
Recruitment, in association with Teamworks
BREAK-OUT 3
Analytics, in association with Twelve Football
14:50
BREAK
15:20
INSIDE THE AI THAT TURNS VIDEO INTO LIVE FOOTBALL EVENTS
James Young (VP of Sports Partnerships, Genius Sports)
15:40
DATA TO DECISIONS
Sasha Satikova (Club Consultant, Ludonautics)
16:05
REDEFINING ELITE PERFORMANCE
Claire-Marie Roberts (Performance Leader)
16:35
CLOSE
18:30
NETWORKING DRINKS & DINNER
Day Two (Sept 30th)
09:30
WELCOME & DAY ONE RECAP
Sarah Mulkerrins & Simon Austin
09:45
LESSONS FROM DAY ONE
Gareth Quinn (GM of EMEA, Teamworks)
09:55
OPENING KEYNOTE
Neil Bath (Leadership Consultant & Ex-Director of Football Development, Chelsea)
10:25
ACADEMY DIRECTOR PANEL
Stephen Torpey (Manchester United), David Rainford (Brentford) & Jonathan Hunter-Barrett (Wolves)
11:05
BREAK
11:30
EVOLUTION OF THE COACH-ANALYST
Joe Newton (First Team Analyst, Sunderland)
11:55
INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT
JP Pittman (Individual Development Coach, Brentford)
12:20
BUNDESLIGA TO PREMIER LEAGUE: LEADING ELITE PERFORMANCE
Robert Percy Marshall (Director of Medical & Performance, AFC Bournemouth)
12:45
BUILDING A PERFORMANCE DEPARTMENT
Paul Ford MBE (Performance Director, Norwich City)
13:10
LUNCH
14:10
BREAK-OUT 1
Coaching & Academies, in association with Kognia Sports
BREAK-OUT 2
Performance, in association with STATSports
15:10
BREAK
15:35
AI & PERFORMANCE: TRANSFORMING DECISION-MAKING IN ELITE SPORT
Dr John Hill (Elite Performance Specialist), representing Orreco
16:00
LEADERSHIP TRIANGLE: HOW CEO, DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL & HEAD COACH WORK TOGETHER
Stephen Pearce (CEO, Derby County), David Fox (Head of Football Operations, Plymouth Argyle) & Steven Schumacher (Head Coach, Bolton Wanderers)
16:40
CLOSE
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
Ross Wilson
One of the most experienced Sporting Directors in British football. Arrived at Newcastle in October 2025 to take charge of sporting strategy, development & recruitment across men's, women's and Academy. Joined from Nottingham Forest, where he was Chief Football Officer. Before that spent three years as Sporting Director at Rangers, delivering a first league title in a decade, a Scottish Cup and a run to the Europa League final.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.Sponsors
2025 RECAP
Delegates
Staff from dozens of clubs and federations have attended TGG Live, including the following
Job titles of attendees included
Sporting Director
Chief Executive
Head of Analytics
Head of Technology
Head of Recruitment
Head of Scouting
Head of Talent ID
Head Coach
Pathway Development Manager
Head of Coach Education
Women’s National Coach Developer
Technical Development Manager
Academy Manager
Head of Academy Operations
Head of Development Centres
Head of Performance
Head of Research and Development
Head of Innovation
Head of Player Insights
Testimonials
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Tickets