SoccerCon inaugural edition

The Atlanta Conference on Soccer & Innovation

“What if we could one day direct this enthusiasm that we have for football towards positive causes for humanity.”

— Socrates: medical doctor, philosopher, founder of Corinthians Democracy, democracy advocate, journalist and glorious footballer

“Good government in Italy is a by-product of singing groups and soccer clubs.”

—Robert Putnam: Making Democracy Work

This conference examines the wide range of innovations in soccer and the associated power dynamics.

For nearly 150 years, the beautiful game has evolved through innovation in rules, training, governance, strategies, participation, media, stadiums, fan engagement, branding, and more. This inaugural Soccer Con examines a wide range of innovation in soccer, with special emphasis on social innovation. “Innovation is the complete process of taking new ideas and devising new or improved products or services” (Dan Breznitz, U Toronto). Soccer Con is a biennial conference, with new themes every two years. This will be like no other conference, incorporating scholars, journalists, coaches, activists, fans, youth leaders, players, alumni, emerging scholars and Georgia Tech students. Soccer Con strives to incorporate and support marginalized voices and to support emerging scholars. Students from the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, the Global Development program, the Ivan Allen College, the Honors Program, the Minor in Sports, Technology, and Society, and the Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) on Soccer, Community, Innovation & Politics (SCIP) will participate in all aspects of the conference.

The Atlanta Conference on Soccer & Innovation will take place on March 29-30, 2023.