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9 Best Sports Management Courses in India 2023

People are now more aware than ever before of the importance of sports and physical activity in their lives. Given the sedentary nature of our jobs and day-to-day lives, it’s now necessary to dedicate time to movement. What better than sports to address this issue? Sports is not just a way to stay active, but it’s an excellent means to support one’s mental health and also remain social. If you’re a true-blue sports fan, then there’s nothing better than a career in sports. Through an amazing range of Sports Management Courses, you can explore the field you are passionate about and work out a lucrative career.

To thrive in the sports industry, one must combine business, management, and sports knowledge. This includes planning, organizing, promoting, and administering sporting events and organizations. Sports management professionals have many responsibilities, including strategic planning, financial management, athlete management, facility management, and legal considerations. They also handle marketing and promotion efforts to ensure the smooth operation of sports teams, facilities, and events.

Sports managers play a vital role in enhancing sports organizations’ success and financial gains while also ensuring satisfying experiences for fans and participants. Besides the business aspect, sports management requires knowledge of the distinct features of the sports industry, such as player deals, brand endorsements, ticket sales, and media permissions.

If you love to stay up-to-date on the latest sports trends and news, a career in this field would be super exciting for you!

Who can pursue sports management?

Those who are passionate about sports and have a strong interest in the business and management aspects of the sports industry would be ideal candidates for sports management courses. Additionally, those with a background or interest in business, marketing, event planning, and communication can perform very well in these courses.

Ideal sports management students should possess strong communication skills, leadership potential, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset. They should be eager to learn how to organize and oversee sports events, understand sports marketing strategies, and navigate the legal and financial complexities of the sports world. These courses offer significant benefits for individuals aspiring to work as sports administrators, event coordinators, marketing professionals, athlete managers, or sports facility managers.

Students who keep up with the ever-changing role of technology in sports, including data analytics and digital marketing, can use these courses to build their path in the industry.

Careers in sports management

Here are some of the top careers students can pursue after obtaining a degree in sports management –

  • Sports Marketing Manager: Responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies to promote sports events, teams, athletes, and related products or services.
  • Sports Event Coordinator/Manager: Tasked with planning, coordinating, and supervising sports events, tournaments, and competitions to ensure seamless operations and enjoyable experiences for fans.
  • Sports Administrator: Works behind the scenes to manage the day-to-day activities of sports organizations, including budgeting, staffing, and logistics.
  • Athlete Manager/Agent: Represents the interests of athletes, negotiating contracts, managing their career development, and securing sponsorships and endorsements.
  • Sports Facility Manager: Oversees the maintenance and operations of sports facilities, such as stadiums, arenas, and training centers.

9 Best Sports Management Courses in India 2023

In India, a range of institutions provide sports management courses at different levels, such as diplomas, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, and online programs. Read on to find the ones that best suit your interests.

1. International Institute of Sports Management (IISM)

IISM offers students a comprehensive sports management course that includes subjects such as sports marketing, event management, finance, and sports law. The combination of theory studies and practical knowledge enables students to master the various aspects of the industry and succeed in their careers.

The school boasts of a strong faculty, who are industry experts themselves, which translates to top-quality education. Students can avail of internships, case studies, and insightful interactions with industry experts as well. Students who graduate from IISM will be equipped with a real-world understanding of the industry.

Key features:

IISM stands out from other institutes due to the following factors:

1) They offer exceptional assistance for internships and placements.

2) They provide integrated live exposure at major sporting events on dedicated days.

3) The faculty members are industry experts and renowned teachers from top B-Schools.

IISM has a campus in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

2. National Academy of Sports Management (NASM)

The National Academy of Sports Management (NASM) is a top sports university in India. The sports management course provided here includes not just theoretical knowledge but practical skills as well. They have a comprehensive curriculum, with a variety of subjects that provides an all-round understanding of the industry.

Students are taught sports marketing, event planning, athlete management, and sports science with up-to-date information on the topics. NASM emphasizes hands-on projects that make students proficient professionals in the industry with the ability to take up jobs in sports management, marketing, and administration.

NASM offers Sports Management Courses in Mumbai and Delhi.

3. Amity School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences

The Amity School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences offers some of the best sports management courses in India. Students can study both aspects of the industry – which is sports and business. Subjects such as sports marketing, sports science and administration, as well as event management, are taught in these courses. Students can make use of the high-quality knowledge provided by some of the top faculty and gain a professional understanding of the top-notch career opportunities in sports management and marketing. Industry interactions offered here will cement the exposure required to gather a real-world view of the field.

Amity University is located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

4. Symbiosis School of Sports Sciences

Symbiosis School of Sports Sciences offers specialized courses that include interesting subjects like sports psychology and athlete management. Graduates can gain entry into lucrative careers in the field of sports administration, marketing, and management. Symbiosis is highly reputed for having some of the top faculty members, and the same applies to the sports management courses provided here. The school pays special attention to the holistic development of students, enabling them to navigate the complex nature of the industry with quality knowledge.

Symbiosis School of Sports Sciences is located in Pune, Maharashtra.

5. Alagappa University

Alagappa University offers students an MBA program in Sports Management. This course focuses on the two critical elements of sports management, which are sports and business. Students are taught the skills required to undertake sports marketing, administration, strategic planning, and event management as well. Theoretical knowledge is combined with practical experience with the help of case studies and internships.

With activities like sports event organization, athlete management, and sponsorships, students will gain an understanding of how they can assume leadership roles in this industry.

Alagappa University has a campus located in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu.

6. Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (IISWBM)

IISWBM offers students a two-year, full-time Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Management (PGDSM). The course is designed in a way that students can be fully prepared for a career in the field of Sports Management. The program offers lessons in sports marketing, sports finance, event management, and sports law as well. Students can acquire a complete overview of the field with emphasis on subjects like sports governance, sports economics, and planning and management. IISWBM molds students into well-rounded individuals who are ready to take on a career in sports management through the provision of various case studies, internship opportunities, and workshops.

IISWBM’s campus is located in Kolkata, West Bengal.

7. Lovely Professional University

Lovely Professional University (LPU) offers students courses in Sports Management at various levels –

  • B.A. in Sports Management: This is an undergraduate program that includes lessons in sports administration, management, marketing, and event planning
  • M.A. in Sports Management: This postgraduate program goes a step further and offers more comprehensive lessons on sports event management, marketing, and sports policy.
  • MBA in Sports Management: The MBA program focuses mainly on business subjects, and students will avail of a specialization course in sports management.
  • Diploma in Sports Management – This course will cover in-depth sports management topics and provide a professional overview of the subject.
  • Certificate Courses – LPU also offers shorter certificate courses in areas of sports management, such as sports event planning and marketing.

This university is located near Jalandhar, Punjab.

8. University of Mumbai

For students seeking Diploma degrees in Sports Management, the University of Mumbai has an excellent program. The diploma course provides a thorough view of the managerial aspects of the industry. Students get to learn lessons on sports marketing, event planning, as well as sports finance and governance.

The university provides students with opportunities to interact with industry experts, helping them gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s inner workings. Case studies and real-world projects will further help them become well-rounded professionals in this field.

9. Annamalai University

Students can apply for a Sports Management Postgraduate Diploma course at Annamalai University. The program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the industry. Subjects such as sports marketing, event management, sports facilities management, and administration are taught with a global perspective. The practical exposure provided at the university enables students to gain a thorough view of the industry and instill in them the confidence to excel in their careers.

Annamalai University is located in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.

In Conclusion

Sports management courses in India offer individuals the opportunity to combine their passion for sports with a career in the business and management aspects of the sports industry. These courses go beyond developing athletic talent and cover a range of topics such as sports marketing, event coordination, athlete management, and sports governance.

Respected institutions like the International Institute of Sports Management (IISM), the National Academy of Sports Management (NASM), and various universities provide an immersive learning experience. Students learn both theory and practical skills, preparing them for real-world challenges like organizing sports events and handling sports finance.

These courses are crucial in shaping the future of sports management by producing professionals who can apply business principles and understand the technological advancements in the industry. Graduates are well-prepared to contribute to the field of sports analytics, digital media, and fan engagement. If you’re a sports enthusiast and are interested in more such insights around sports education, we have you covered. Download our app and get access to our high-quality blog posts today!

Bhumish Sheth