Top soccer executives, investors, team owners, media executives, tech leaders, and athletes will gather at the Prudential Center July 10 for an event that spotlights New Jersey’s growing role as a hub for innovation in global sports, media, and technology.
“The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit” hosted by GK Digital Ventures, in collaboration with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), will offer ample networking and future-focused discussions on AI-driven performance, fan engagement, streaming innovation and soccer’s expanding global footprint.
The summit, which opens at 7:30 a.m., Thursday, July 10, at the Prudential Center in Newark, coincides with the week the FIFA Club World Cup Final will be played at nearby MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Moderators and panelists confirmed for the summit include senior leaders from HBSE, Disney, U.S. Soccer, Paramount/CBS Sports, Fanatics, TEG Sport North America, and the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee.
GK Digital Ventures said that additional speakers and participants from across the global soccer, media, and tech industries will be announced soon — including, media executives, investors, technology leaders, and top athletes who are shaping the future of the game.
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) CEO Tim Sullivan, whose agency is a sponsor of the event, noted the Garden State has become a premier destination for large-scale sporting events – from March Madness to the World Cup.
“The NJEDA is proud to sponsor this inaugural summit, which is an opportunity to connect New Jersey’s global sports ecosystem with its thriving innovation economy – opening new doors for investment and job creation,” Sullivan said.
Greg Kahn, CEO of GK Digital Ventures and co-founder of the event, said the summit reflects the next wave of innovation in global sports.
“It’s more than soccer—it’s about how technology is reshaping everything from how we play to how we connect with fans around the world,” Kahn said. “I’m proud to partner with HBSE and the NJEDA to make New Jersey the launchpad for these conversations and collaborations.”
In addition to the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, which has featured the world's top club teams in 63 games across 11 U.S. cities, East Rutherford is also gearing up for the 2026 Men’s World Cup next year. That tournament will feature the globe’s top national teams in games held in 16 cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. MetLife Stadium will also host eight of the 104 games, including the final on July 19, 2026.
"As momentum builds toward the FIFA World Cup in 2026, events like this reflect the kind of forward-thinking energy that defines our region,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee. “New Jersey isn’t just hosting eight matches, including the world’s biggest game — we’re helping shape the global conversation around the future of soccer.”
Tickets to “The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media,” can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities for the summit can visit GK Digital Ventures here.
