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With the goal of taking travel management to the next level, ISL launches Futbol First, a.k.a FF, a global travel management company specialized in organizing worldwide experiences for soccer players, clubs, colleges and schools all over the globe.
MISSION
We want to inspire the next generation! We provide international soccer experiences focused on cultural exchange, education and healthy habits. We exist with the sole purpose of turning dreams into real opportunities!
VISION
We want to make an impact! If a student, a young player or a soccer institution is looking to experience a cultural exchange overseas where soccer is involved, we want to be the first obvious choice.
Global Leader in Soccer Educational Experiences
For over ten years, FF has forged an indisputable relationship with the biggest names in the soccer world. You know, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, LaLiga, Manchester City, Sporting Lisbon, PSG, Chelsea, Uk Football Association, US Futsal Federation and many others.
With the help of this exclusive network, we offer a distinctive experience to more than 10,000 players throughout the world. We are proud to say that since 2013 we’ve helped thousands of people to discover new places and cultures while developing their soccer skills.
We are true believers of traveling as a tool to make us better and help us in our self-development journey. For us, sports and discovering new cultures is just the perfect match!
“I feel really positive about launching FF. This will allow us to reach more clubs, colleges and soccer organizations worldwide. We want to become global leaders in cultural experiences through soccer and we are confident that FF will help us to achieve our goals” -Achille Obougou, Futbol First Director.
(Picture team isl travels without old logo)
Sub. Picture: Travel, learn, grow and play.
With Futbol First everything is possible… There are no limits!
Immerse yourself in a life changing experience by traveling and playing soccer all at once.
Wanna be part of this amazing community? Check out our website www.futbolfirst.com and join us!
Follow us on social media to stay up to date about our happenings! (link instagram)
Nicole León, ISL Marketing Director, unveils the playbook on how sports properties harness and can further leverage digital marketing in their international expansion strategies. Join us for an insightful discussion as Nicole shares key insights and addresses crucial questions, shedding light on the strategies shaping global success in the digital era.
The shifts in consumer behavior within the sports industry are characterized by a substantial move towards non-traditional media channels driven by the acceleration of digital adoption. Approximately 40.7% of global sports fans now choose to stream live sports events through digital platforms. This trend signifies a significant departure from conventional methods of sports content consumption. Furthermore, there is an increased appetite for additional sports content, both related and unrelated to live matches, across an expanding array of platforms.
The demand for content related to live events, such as match announcements, short-term content, and highlights, is nearly as high as the demand for the events themselves. Similarly, non-live sports content, including docuseries and behind-the-scenes footage, has gained traction, attracting not only existing fans but also new audiences. Multi-screen viewing activities have become more prevalent, with the general population increasing its engagement in activities like social media, texting, gaming, and ordering food by an average of 5%, doubling to 10% among Gen Z, even during significant live events.
These shifts emphasize the need for brands and sports rights holders to stay connected to evolving consumer behaviors. As channel and device fragmentation continues to rise, adapting strategies to meet consumers on the right platforms and in the right ways becomes critical for successful engagement and international expansion.
The digital media platforms present football clubs with new avenues to connect and engage with fans in innovative ways directly. The immediacy of these platforms facilitates real-time communication, fostering a sense of community as fans actively participate in conversations, polls, and live events. Additionally, the global reach of digital media allows clubs to transcend geographical boundaries, connect with international audiences, and create a diverse and inclusive fan base. This not only enhances the club’s brand globally but also enables cultural exchange among fans from different regions.
Furthermore, digital platforms enable football clubs to deploy creative engagement methods, such as virtual events, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and interactive initiatives. These strategies not only capture fans’ attention but also deepen their emotional connection to the club. The ability to personalize content delivery based on fan demographics and interests ensures a more targeted and meaningful engagement. Moreover, the analytics provided by digital platforms empower clubs to understand fan behavior, refine strategies, and make data-driven decisions, continually enhancing the overall fan experience.
In essence, digital media platforms are a dynamic tool that enables football clubs to forge direct connections, foster global communities, and explore innovative avenues for fan engagement.
The biggest challenge for sports properties in digital marketing lies in the fragmented digital landscape, making capturing and retaining fan attention increasingly difficult. As the digital space continues to diversify with various platforms and channels, reaching and maintaining a consistently engaged audience becomes a complex task for sports properties. The competition for fan attention across social media, streaming services, and other digital avenues requires strategic efforts to cut through the noise and deliver compelling content that resonates with diverse audiences.
In the fight for fan attention, the inherent power they possess to connect with fans and cultivate lifetime loyalty makes sports properties stand out. The emotional connection that fans develop with their favorite sports transcends mere fandom; it becomes a deeply ingrained aspect of their identity. This enduring loyalty provides sports properties with a unique advantage in capturing and retaining audience attention in the highly competitive digital landscape.
Additionally, the ability of sports properties, especially clubs, to create appealing and authentic storytelling sets them apart. Effective storytelling goes beyond the game itself, offering narratives that resonate with fans on a personal level. Whether through highlighting players’ journeys, historic moments, or community engagement, authentic storytelling fosters a deeper connection and emotional investment, making sports properties more memorable and compelling in the eyes of their audience.
Attracting younger fans demands a multifaceted approach for sustained engagement and growth. Football clubs can strategically optimize their digital presence by embracing popular platforms like TikTok and Instagram, tailoring content to the dynamics of each channel. Collaborating with influencers who resonate with the target demographic adds authenticity to the club’s messaging, while interactive content fosters active engagement. Aligning the club with broader cultural trends ensures relevance, and leveraging player stories and global community building enhances the overall fan experience.
However, the synergy between digital initiatives and physical engagements with clubs globally amplifies the impact of a young target. Expanding soccer clubs beyond their own territory through initiatives such as Summer Camps, Academies, and others not only fosters a sense of community but also provides tangible, real-world experiences, bridging the gap between the digital realm and reality.
These physical initiatives, complemented by digital ones, not only strengthen emotional ties but also offer opportunities for talent development, allowing clubs to identify and nurture young talents globally. By combining digital and physical strategies, football clubs create a comprehensive approach that reaches young fans on multiple levels, solidifying the club’s presence in their hearts and minds for the long term.
Having a fan base in different countries significantly expands clubs’ opportunities to generate new revenues. For European clubs, building a global fanbase serves as a strategic move to diversify their supporter base, reducing dependence on a single market. By strategically engaging fans through social media, targeted merchandise offerings, fan events, and local partnerships, clubs can cultivate a passionate and loyal following across borders.
A growing global fanbase not only enhances the club’s brand on an international scale but also contributes substantially to long-term sustainability. This diversified support base brings in additional revenue streams through various channels, including increased ticket sales for international matches or pre-season tours, elevated merchandise purchases from fans worldwide, and a boost in digital subscriptions for exclusive content and match streaming. The expansion into new markets not only broadens the financial landscape for clubs but also strengthens their overall resilience and market position in the dynamic world of football.
Developing relationships in other countries can give European clubs access to a vast talent pool. The American football landscape, for instance, has been evolving rapidly, with increased investment in youth development, academies, and professional leagues. By establishing partnerships with American clubs, scouting networks, or investing in youth academies, European clubs can tap into the American talent pool and identify potential players for their teams.
It is important to first understand the market and the culture the club wants to enter; it is not the same to expand in China and the USA, for example. Then, clubs have many possibilities for doing that, from local Summer Camps to international tours and pre-season friendlies with local clubs.
The current sports business landscape in the country, hosting the next FIFA World Cup, Olympics, and other relevant soccer events, presents substantial opportunities for European football clubs.
The United States represents a large and lucrative market where European clubs can strategically position themselves to capitalize on various revenue streams. European clubs can effectively tap into the American market by emphasizing key metrics such as revenue, sponsorship deals, and partnerships. The USA’s vast consumer base, robust economy, and deep-rooted passion for sports create significant opportunities for clubs to diversify their revenue sources beyond their home markets. Exploring avenues like merchandising, licensing agreements, and digital partnerships in the US can lead to additional income streams. Moreover, the increasing popularity of European football in the USA, driven by the growing fanbase and interest in major international competitions, further amplifies the potential for European clubs to strengthen their market presence and financial stability in the American sports business landscape.
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.
The world is watching as football takes over the USA, which is happening not only due to Messi’s arrival but also because of the continuous investment and structuring of their male and female national leagues, the MLS and the NWSL, respectively, and the rising numbers of football, or soccer, fandom all around.
To achieve this status, USA football clubs and leagues have demonstrated excellent marketing and financial strategies, offering valuable lessons for more traditional European leagues.
Fan Engagement
MLS excels in fan engagement through various initiatives, including interactive fan experiences, social media, and community involvement. The marketing and promotion in North America and beyond also stands out.
Angel City FC, an NWSL club with a majority female ownership, is an exemplary model for building a community within a football club from the ground up. The MLS itself is committed to attracting younger fans and creating innovative content, as evidenced by its recent partnership with TikTok.
Sports properties all around the world can be inspired by such activations to expand their global reach and attract new fans, connecting with them on a personal level and building a more engaged and passionate fanbase.
Stadium Atmosphere
While there’s nothing quite like South American hinchas, the MLS and the NWSL have worked on creating a vibrant and family-friendly stadium atmosphere. Attention to every detail enhances the matchday experience, making it more comfortable and special for the fans. Austin FC, one of MLS’s clubs with the most engaged community, also does that by promoting activations like Pride Night.
North Americans have always been industry leaders when it comes to blending sports and entertainment. Basketball has exemplified this approach and become a global benchmark with its fast-paced on-court action, spectacular plays, and exciting events that extend beyond sports. This constant pursuit of the “show” has not only defined the USA sports experience but has also influenced how other sports are approached and enjoyed in the country.
Besides providing more entertaining matchday experiences, traditional leagues and clubs currently face the challenge of improving stadium facilities and promoting fan engagement. The USA offers valuable lessons on how to enhance the overall atmosphere.
Financial Transparency
American leagues have clear guidelines to ensure the league is financially sustainable, with teams following current regulations and promoting transparency. European football can benefit from such measures to ensure that clubs maintain financial stability and comply with fair play.
However, regarding tradition and technical quality, the USA draws much inspiration from South American and European football, which have paved the way for the league’s continued growth.
Technical Quality and Playing Style
LaLiga is known for its technical and possession-based style of play, Brazil for its creativity, attacking style, and skillful dribbling, the Premier League for its fast-paced and physical matches, and the Bundesliga for its attacking football and development of young talent.
The MLS and the NWSL are on the path to defining their own style of play and can learn from all these leagues how to improve the technical abilities of their players and promote a more attractive, skillful brand of soccer.
Talent Development
Especially in Europe, football academies are professionally structured and continuously develop top-level talent, which helps not only to attract audiences to their own leagues but also to improve the clubs’ finances with substantial fees for the transfer of players.
By investing in developing young talent in their academy systems, MLS and NWSL can produce more homegrown talent. It is crucial for the USA’s national football interest and international attention to create its own star players to guarantee sustainable growth and reduce its current dependency on expensive international signings.
International Scouting
European leagues have been successful in scouting and recruiting top international talent, particularly from Latin America and other parts of the world.
The North American leagues are already on the way, learning how to effectively scout and bring in international stars to raise the overall level of competition.
For over 10 years, ISL has been based in the USA and has developed extensive knowledge of how the sports market operates, specializing in translating business strategies and standards from one continent to another.
This expertise is key to helping European sports properties find perfect opportunities to expand to the USA, bridging the gap between each culture to develop projects that facilitate international growth effectively.
Why do you believe the FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world?
Although the FIFA World Cup is held every four years, it manages to capture the attention of billions of people from all walks of life and embodies national pride while providing a platform for countries to not only show off their soccer talent but also their culture, history and passion for the game. The World Cup brings people together from all over the world and is the ultimate showcase of the beautiful game filled with the biggest stars vying for the ultimate prize. It is through the significance of the FIFA World Cup that we really understand why soccer is the biggest sport in the world.
What sort of global impact does the FIFA World Cup have across different societies?
FIFA World Cup brings people together and breaks down cultural barriers, racism and social inequality, while creating a sense of unity among different countries. As I experienced in Qatar, during the World Cup, the love for football is all that matters.
What is the economic impact of the FIFA World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup has a significant economic impact, both for the host country and for the global economy. During the tournament, the host country experiences a boost in tourism as millions of fans travel to attend the games, stay in hotels, and eat at local restaurants. This leads to an increase in local economic activity, such as job creation, and can help to boost the country’s overall economic growth.
In addition to the direct benefits for the host country, the World Cup also has indirect economic benefits through increased media exposure, sponsorship deals, and the sale of merchandise and memorabilia. These factors can help to promote the host country’s brand and attract further investment.
The FIFA World Cup is one of the most lucrative sporting events in the world, with the total revenue generated by the event estimated to be over fourteen billion dollars through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales.
What are the different types of stakeholders involved in the FIFA World Cup?
Typically, it would be the host country, FIFA, and LOC (Local Organizing Committee). FIFA is the governing body of the tournament and is responsible for organizing other events such as the Women’s World Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and others. The LOC is responsible for organizing different events such as the opening ceremony, promoting the tournament, and generating revenue; while the host country is responsible for organizing the tournament, providing training facilities and transportation during the competition. FIFA has 6 different continental confederations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe).
Read Monica Aguado’s, Humas Resources and CFO, insightful comments about the importance of corporate meetings on an era where remote work is growing fast and is not going anywhere anytime soon.
1. First of all, can you tell us about your job as HHHR & CFO Director?
I’ve been working with ISL since the company was founded, back when it didn’t even had an Human Resources structure. It has been a big challenge to create and shape this department; it definitely has been a learning experience and it’s amazing to see how far we’ve gotten. Part of my daily tasks also includes hand-in-hand work with the CEO preparing financial reports and tracking the cash flow which is crucial to make strategic decisions.
2. Taking into account that currently most of ISL’s employees work remotely, do you consider that corporate meetings are important?
During COVID times, ISL was introduced to remote work; nowadays most of the team works remote or hybrid. Because of this, many team members interact only virtually with the rest of the team. We consider that corporate meetings, now more than ever, are a must in our annual calendar of activities.
3. Which is the main objective of a corporate meeting?
The main objective of a corporate meeting is to boost physical and emotional experiences that we may lack in a daily basis. To achieve this, during corporate meetings we organize team building activities, meetings where we recap annual results and share future projections, luncheons and other interactive activities.
.4. How many corporate meetings a year do you think are necessary for ISL?
We’ve always aimed to held 2 corporate meetings per year and we hope to maintain this frequency, even though the company keeps growing and it’s hard to find a few days in the calendar where the whole team can meet.
Read Pere Segarra’s, our director of talent relationship, take on the current player market, the skills a Professional Player must have to thrive, and the importance of mental health in the football industry.
The market is on fire, especially in MLS. There have been two-star signings for LAFC: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) and Giorgio Bellnini (Juventus), two European legends who will make a difference in this league.
And as for Europe, there have been several star signings such as Halaan, who has signed with Manchester City, and Pogba’s return to Juve.
Many American players have the potential to enter the European market.
European clubs are interested in having young American promises to make the club grow in the United States, it is a good marketing tool, and obviously, the talent in the United States is increasing.
2. What skills should have a Tandhem player to represent him?
We mainly value the player’s professionalism and his commitment to his career. We also highly value the player’s projection and talent, but his dedication is critical.
You must be mentally strong and aware that there will be times that are tougher than others. We also consider his education and his closest environment, which are a support rather than a burden on his way.
3. And regarding mental health, is it essential that high-performance athletes take care of it?
Mental health is a taboo subject among footballers, which is not talked about enough, and it is the key and the big difference between a professional and non-professional player.
I recommend it to any player who feels that he doesn’t know how to handle pressure well, criticism, who has more negative thoughts than usual…
Certain players are affected much more than others, and due to their ego, they prefer to keep this fight quiet, and all they do is harm themselves.
Resorting to professionals will always provide a more significant improvement than any advice from someone who is not specialized.
4. Do the big teams consider physical and mental health when they are interested in a player?
Yes, both aspects are of vital importance for the clubs. The scouts of any club monitor not only the player on the field, but also his mental state, which I mentioned before: his environment, family, education…
The clubs have it very present. They discard the player if they believe that the player is confrontational or will not fit in well in the locker room because of his behavior.
Talent is what weighs the most in the balance, but each case must be taken into account individually.
On a physical level, they also study if the player has any irregularity that could cause future injuries or reduce his performance. Many millions are invested for each footballer, and the team takes care of even the smallest detail so that the operation is successful.
After the announcement of the next friendly matches of FC Barcelona in the USA, we have sat Bruno Díaz, Director of ISL’s Tours & Friendlies department, in the hot seat to find out more:
1. First of all, tell us about your work as Director of ISL’s Tours & Friendlies department.
It’s very exciting to help the clubs organize their preseasons.
We work with European, American, and Latam clubs to find each region’s best potential-friendly games.
It’s an essential time of the year for the sport and commercial departments of the clubs.
2. What are the objectives of friendlies?
Friendly games are crucial from a sports and commercial point of view.
During this time, the teams prepare themselves for the next season.
Playing against teams from different countries is always interesting.
From a commercial POV, clubs use these international tours to create brand awareness and gain more fans worldwide.
3. We recently announced a friendly match. Do you think there will be more news this season?
After two difficult years of COVID restrictions, we will finally see a lot of international games in the US and Europe for our clients.
It will be a busy summer for our team.
4. Are these matches essential for clubs?
They all need to play games to be prepared for the next season, and commercially speaking, it’s always a good source of revenue for the teams and a perfect occasion to win over more fans abroad.
After a year of rigorous selection and scouting at the LaLiga Select Talent IDs and jetting off to Madrid with 118 talented young North American footballers to spend two weeks training in the Spanish capital in the second phase of the program, 3 players have been selected, and offered scholarships by LaLiga Select to continue their journey in Spain and spend two weeks training with LaLiga youth teams to further learn and grow into professional level players.
The players trained at the academies of three LaLiga Santander clubs: RC Celta, Deportivo Alavés and Levante UD. Here, the young soccer players lived the experience of being part of three of the best LaLiga academies, trained with their coaches, learned their methodologies, and experienced various activities and the culture of their host cities.
LaLiga Select, the first talent detection project launched by ISL and an international soccer organization in North America, landed in Spain in March to train 118 young players from the USA and Canada. The players were selected by LaLiga Grassroots scouts from a total of 12,000 participants across 14 events and tournaments across the US since January 2021.
“It is an honor to see LaLiga Select players train at clubs like Celta, Alavés and Levante. We knew it was a program with a lot of potential that was not only going to give opportunities to footballers, but also to LaLiga clubs that can now attract North American talent. We are sure that Jacobo, Abraham, and Everton will be an example for other athletes who dream of being able to play in Spain,” says Alex Isern, CEO & Co-Founder of ISL Agency.
Next month ISL and LaLiga Select will kick off it’s tour of the US in search of new talent at the upcoming Talent IDs and encourage young, passionate players to sign up as spots are limited.
FC Barcelona has announced that they will travel to the United States this summer for the club’s pre-season tour. The club has collaborated with the ISL agency to close its first two games against Inter Miami FC and New York Red Bull of MLS.
The matches will take place on July 19 at the DRV PNK Stadium in Miami and on July 30 at the Red Bull Arena in New York. FC Barcelona approaches positions with the executive roles of the MLS and ensures for the first time two meetings with two of the most influential clubs in the North American League.
“Working alongside the MLS and two of its most popular clubs in the league, Inter Miami and New York Red Bull, has been instructive in finalizing the summer tour of FCBarcelona in the US.” Said Marc Segarra, ISL Managing Partner
“This marks a significant milestone for international soccer and sets a precedent for future clubs looking to capitalize on the US soccer market’s opportunity successfully. “ Said Alex Isern, ISL CEO
FC Barcelona has not played against New York Red Bull since 2008 and it will be the first time in history that FC Barcelona faces Beckham’s Inter Miami. In both cases, it is expected that the stadiums will be filled with both the MLS club and the Catalan team’s fans, who will have the opportunity to see Xavi’s Barça play in Miami and New York.
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