AC Milan Opens New Football Academy In Dubai To Nurture Young Talent

AC Milan has unveiled its latest venture, a brand-new AC Milan International Academy in Dubai, marking a significant step in the club's global outreach and engagement strategy. This initiative, brought to life in partnership with Ball Beast Academy, a Dubai-based startup championing sports activities and youth empowerment, underscores AC Milan's commitment to nurturing young football talents in the region.

The official presentation of this new centre of excellence was held under the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council, an entity dedicated to fostering the growth of the sports sector in Dubai through various programs and initiatives aimed at talent development and creativity promotion. The announcement was made by a distinguished AC Milan delegation, including CEO Giorgio Furlani, Chief Commercial Officer Maikel Oettle, Regional Director Greta Nardeschi, and AC Milan Legend Serginho. They were joined by Hassan Alameddine, General Manager of Ball Beast Academy LCC.

This development is part of AC Milan's broader strategy to extend its influence globally, spearheaded by RedBird Capital Partners. It follows the recent opening of Casa Milan Dubai, the club's new headquarters in the Middle East last November, and a partnership with Expo 2020.

The establishment of the new Academy in Dubai adds to AC Milan's longstanding engagement in the Middle East, highlighted by the first Academy launched in Kuwait 15 years ago. Over the years, this Academy has welcomed more than 5,000 boys and girls, underlining AC Milan's dedication to promoting a vibrant sports culture that mirrors the Milan Method's principles.

AC Milan enjoys widespread popularity in the MEA (Middle East & Africa) region, being the most supported Italian club and ranking in the top 10 globally. In the United Arab Emirates alone, the club boasts approximately 2.5 million fans, reflecting the deep-rooted passion for football and the Rossoneri colours in the area.

The club's commitment in the region is also evidenced by significant partnerships with leading names such as Emirates, SIRO, and CFI Financial Group. The latter, a Global Partner of the Rossoneri, will play a central role in the new Academy, sponsoring the young athletes' kits and supporting their growth both on and off the pitch.

Maikel Oettle, Chief Commercial Officer at AC Milan, expressed the club's enthusiasm about the inauguration, stating, "The opening of a new Academy in Dubai is a testament to our ambition and desire to reinforce our bond with the Middle East. This region is incredibly passionate about AC Milan, and we are committed to sharing the Milan Model, investing in young talent, and making a positive impact on the communities we become a part of."

The AC Milan International Academy in Dubai is now a part of a vast network of over 100 Rossoneri Academies spread across Italy and the globe. In the 2023/24 season, these academies offered programs led by around 2,500 AC Milan coaches and educators, engaging over 20,000 boys and girls across three continents, further attesting to AC Milan's global influence and dedication to developing future generations of football stars.