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breathe
soccer
As part of our 6 year anniversary celebration, we’re taking the time to look back at our short yet productive history as a company. Over the past several months, we have been revealing our story, bit by bit, a story that wouldn’t exist without everyone who has helped support ISL along the way.
For our fourth look back at our story, we take a look as we began to truly expand, and grow in ways we couldn’t imagine.
The sports marketing agency, with offices in Barcelona and Miami, brought together industry leaders for an event that addressed the progress, challenges, and opportunities in women’s sports and the role of women in the industry.
ISL Agency hosted on April 10th, 2025 the Heritage event this week at its Barcelona headquarters, a space for conversation and reflection that brought together key voices from the sports ecosystem to analyze the current state of women’s sports in Spain and what still needs to be done to continue advancing the role of women from all angles.
Lina Carlos de Vergara, Vice President of Communications at DAZN Spain, shared the platform’s strategic vision when it acquired the global broadcasting rights to the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2021 for four seasons. During the first two, all matches were made available for free through an exclusive women’s football channel on YouTube, which now has over one million subscribers. In the following two seasons, broadcasts moved to the DAZN app. Currently, all women’s leagues, including the UWCL, are available on DAZN without a paywall for most matches, according to the agreements established with each competition.
“At DAZN, we didn’t want there to be a single barrier to accessing women’s sports. If the interest was there — and the data proved it — then the issue was visibility. That’s why we opened the doors and did it in a way that left no room for excuses.”
This interest is reflected in projects like the Queens League. Anna Tormo, Head of Digital Strategy for the Queens and Kings League, explained how creating the competition from the beginning under conditions similar to its male counterpart was a decisive factor in its success.
“The great differentiator of the Queens League is that it was born almost at the same time and under the same parameters as the Kings League. It wasn’t a case of adaptation, but of building something equal from day one. That allowed us to create a strong and appealing product right from the start — something that hasn’t historically happened in women’s football.”
Maria Teixidor, lawyer, entrepreneur, and former General Secretary of FC Barcelona’s Board of Directors, was clear in pointing out that the real breakthrough is still ahead:
“We can’t keep trying to make women’s sports fit into molds that weren’t designed for it. We have to build a distinct and differentiated product, and stop looking at men’s sports as the only model for success. The potential is there, but we still don’t dare to tap into it as it deserves.”
But the challenge goes beyond the game itself: it also lies in solidifying the role of women at every level of the industry — from decision-making to content creation and strategic development. As the sector evolves, it is essential that women are not only present on the field but also in the spaces where the rules are written.
Andrea Ginés, sports journalist, spoke about the cultural shift needed for women to take on leading roles throughout the industry:
“In many ways, Spain is still lagging behind [other European countries]. We need to break old habits and change the way we value the role of women in sports — both on and off the field. We need visible role models, but more importantly, we need female talent at the center of decision-making.”
Looking ahead, the speakers agreed that the real challenge is no longer proving that there is interest in women’s sports, but rather building the structures needed to ensure its sustainable growth. They noted that many commercial opportunities in women’s sports are still being missed, and brands are slow to react.
This event is part of a new line of action by ISL Agency, launched with a clear purpose: to be an active agent of change and to create these spaces for dialogue as a real way of moving the industry forward.
With this initiative, ISL Agency reaffirms its commitment to a more inclusive, diverse, and ambitious sports industry.
About ISL Agency
Based in Barcelona and Miami, ISL Agency is a sports management and marketing agency focused on bringing international growth opportunities to major sports properties.
Hantec Markets, a global leader in financial services, proudly announced its official sponsorship of Atlético de Madrid and Fortaleza Esporte Clube, two iconic football clubs representing the best of European and South American football. This dual partnership reflects Hantec’s deep commitment to excellence, teamwork, and a global vision for success.
Atlético de Madrid, one of the most successful and celebrated clubs in Europe, and Fortaleza Esporte Clube, a rising force in Brazilian soccer, embody values that align closely with Hantec’s own—passion, perseverance, and ambition.
Through these collaborations, Hantec aims to bridge the worlds of sport and finance, offering unique experiences to both football fans and traders. From exclusive content and special promotions to co-branded campaigns and match-day activations, this partnership is designed to inspire and connect global communities through shared passion.
With a presence in over 12 countries, Hantec continues to invest in sport as a powerful platform to create authentic impact and meaningful engagement across cultures and markets.
We at ISL Agency are proud to have acted as the connecting link that made these partnerships between the brand and both clubs possible.
Sports transcend boundaries and borders, becoming a pivotal factor for travelers when selecting their destinations, offering tourists distinctive and memorable experiences. Our Brand Manager, Carlos Ramírez, delineates the sector’s rapid growth and our contribution to its expansion through a range of personalized soccer programs available year-round.
The World Tourism Organization states that sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the travel industry. What factors do you believe contribute to this growth?
There are several factors which contribute to the rapid growth of sports tourism. The increasing popularity of sports globally has led to a rise in interest from travelers seeking to participate in or witness sporting events firsthand.
On the other hand, the desire for unique and memorable experiences drives individuals to incorporate sports into their travel plans, thus contributing to the sector’s growth. In many cases, sports have indeed become the deciding factor when choosing a travel destination, whether it’s to participate in an event, attend a game, visit a team’s stadium, and so on. This reason has turned sports into a significant attraction factor that enables certain tourist destinations to draw in new travelers and enhance their international brand.
And how sustainable do you think this growth is?
Major sports brands and competitions have achieved global recognition, transcending geographical boundaries to captivate audiences globally. With sports properties increasingly striving to extend their reach beyond national borders, the potential for sustained growth is enormous.
According to a study by the Barcelona Tourism Observatory, sports tourism accounts for nearly 20% of all visitors to the city. What’s ISL’s participation in this statistic?
The ISL Experience Team hosts various BSE (Barcelona Soccer Experience) trips each year for young soccer players from the US. During the current season, we will host a total of 5 BSE sessions for boys and 2 sessions which are exclusive for girls. Our partnership with FC Barcelona enhances the authenticity and appeal of these experiences, making us a key player in driving sports tourism to the city. Since 2015, over 6,000 young boys and girls and more than 15,000 people overall have traveled to Barcelona as part of our soccer programs, including players and families. The number of travelers continues to increase every year.
In which other cities does the Experience Department organize experiences?
Apart from Barcelona, the ISL Experience Department organizes other soccer experience programs in iconic cities like Madrid, Manchester, Lisbon, and Paris, among others. These destinations offer rich sporting heritage and vibrant cultures, providing travelers with immersive and unforgettable experiences beyond the pitch. We are also present in some of the most important youth soccer tournaments which offer our players the chance to test their level among the best in a competitive environment.
From your point of view, what is the main thing players coming via Futbol First look forward to in their trip?
In my opinion, what players and families traveling with Futbol First are seeking is to live a unique sports experience in every way. From experiencing training sessions with the best academies, such as FC Barcelona’s, and watching their team and idols play live, to facing local teams in friendly matches that allow them to test their level and enhance their experience. In addition to this, our trips always incorporate a cultural element through guided tours, which add an educational component that we consider key to providing a comprehensive experience.
How do football clubs benefit from sports tourism? Which new opportunities and revenue sources open up?
Football clubs benefit from sports tourism in various ways. Firstly, it allows clubs to expand their global fan base by engaging with supporters from different regions through international tours, friendlies, and fan experiences. Additionally, sports tourism opens up new revenue streams through ticket sales, merchandise purchases, sponsorships, and partnerships, further enhancing the club’s financial sustainability and brand recognition.
ISL has been tapping into this sector for many years now. How do you assess the Experience Department’s evolution over the past decade?
Over the past decade, the ISL Experience department has evolved significantly. We have refined our trip itineraries, diversified our destination portfolio, and incorporated innovative internal changes to streamline operations and deliver unparalleled service to our clients. Our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, with special attention to detail, ensures that ISL remains a leader in sports tourism, providing transformative experiences for players and families alike.
How is the preparation for the new season coming along? What can we expect?
At the moment, we are working on the updates for the upcoming season, which for us begins in mid-June. Looking ahead to next year, our focus is on continuously incorporating innovations into our programs to offer an even better service and provide an enhanced experience for our clients. In this regard, we believe it is very important to listen to the opinions of the players and families who travel with us each year to understand what they like most and where they see room for improvement. This ongoing dialogue with our clients serves as the guiding principle to achieve excellence in everything we do.
ISL Agency announced one of the summer’s best international fixtures between two of Europe’s elite football clubs, Liverpool FC and Sevilla FC. The encounter took place at Liverpool’s legendary Anfield Stadium on August 11th, as the teams prepared for the 2024–25 season.
With this deal, ISL Agency continued its mission to help sports properties grow internationally. By closing agreements for elite matchups, ISL Agency supports clubs in expanding their international presence, engaging new fan bases, and enhancing revenue opportunities through ticket and merchandise sales.
This match was particularly significant as it served as one of the first appearances for the new head coaches of both teams. Arne Slot led Liverpool FC, succeeding Jürgen Klopp after his remarkable nine-year tenure, while Xavier García Pimienta began his journey as the Sevilla FC manager.
This match was part of a broader series of international fixtures closed by ISL Agency that summer. Another confirmed match was set for August 3rd, featuring Rennes and Real Sociedad at Roazhon Park, with further announcements made soon after.
About ISL Agency
Based in Barcelona and Miami, ISL Agency is a sports management and marketing agency focused on bringing international growth opportunities to major sports properties worldwide, offering tailor-made services and strategies to drive the growth and expansion of soccer properties and brands.
The renowned Barça Academy Soccer Camps returned to the US in June 2024. The camps began on June 10th and completed their journey across 36 cities by July 19th, reaching over 7,000 kids.
Players aged 6 to 17 experienced first-hand the Barça training methodology and philosophy, fostering a deep connection between FC Barcelona and its local fan base. This year marked another milestone for ISL, which had been the driving force behind the organization of Barça Academy Soccer Camps in America since 2012, reaching a record number of cities last summer.
This extensive reach underscored ISL’s commitment to supporting FC Barcelona’s expansion in the U.S., allowing young fans and their families to experience why Barça is more than just a club. Its influence continued to grow, with four official Barça Academies managed by ISL in the country.
These academies and the summer camps play a pivotal role in promoting soccer in the U.S., a country with a rich sporting culture and a growing passion for the world’s most popular sport.
As the U.S. gears up to co-host the World Cup in 2026, initiatives like the Barça Academy Soccer Camps are crucial in nurturing the next generation of soccer talent.
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