Patrick McCreanor is the CEO of Soccerex, the leading global platform dedicated to the business of football. With a wealth of experience in sports business, McCreanor has been at the forefront of shaping the industry, bringing together key stakeholders from across the football ecosystem, including clubs, federations, investors, and commercial partners.
Under his leadership, Soccerex continues to be a premier networking and knowledge-sharing platform, fostering innovation and collaboration in the global football industry. His strategic vision has helped expand Soccerex’s influence, ensuring it remains a crucial meeting point for decision-makers in the world’s most popular sport.
With a deep understanding of football’s commercial landscape and its evolving dynamics, McCreanor plays a pivotal role in driving discussions on investment, technology, governance, and the future of the game.
In this exclusive interview, McCreanor reflects on the highlights of Soccerex MENA 2025, the event’s role in shaping football’s future in the region, and the exciting partnerships that emerged. He also shares his vision for Soccerex’s continued growth and its strategic expansion within the MENA region and beyond.
Reflecting on Soccerex MENA 2025, what were the standout moments or achievements from this year’s event?
I think that the overall experience was memorable, from the VIP reception at the Palace, to the involvement of the Egyptian Prime Minister, footballing legends from around the world in attendance and a collection of industry professionals from over 50 Countries on site.
If I were to pick just one, it would be the demonstration of love for football from the locals.
How did this year’s event compare to previous editions in terms of attendance, participation, and industry engagement?
Each event varies depending on the market and timing, but what we did see was a real appetite for the growth of the game in Egypt, it was well attended by the global sports media and there was a serious interest from the global stakeholders in football in the development of the game in the MENA region.
What were the key themes and discussions that emerged from Soccerex MENA 2025, and how do you see them shaping the future of football in the region?
As always, there were lots of topics discussed over the two days, but I was personally interested to hear more on opportunities in terms of infrastructure, the development of the women’s game and a focus on the regional work done by the likes of C.A.F
Several major football organisations and clubs participated in the event. What were some of the most exciting partnerships or collaborations that emerged?
Our ongoing work with leading organizations in global football is something I am most proud of. From leading clubs such as AC Milan, to local powerhouses like Al Ahly and federations including the Argentine FA and KNVB, the leading figures were represented.
Our partnership with Special Olympics and their involvement in MENA alongside the Paralympics is extremely important to me.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of Soccerex MENA? Are there any plans for expansion or new initiatives in the next edition?
Right now, there is a period of evaluation and reflection on the MENA event. We work with our global partners to ensure that we improve our events with each instalment, learning from industry feedback and MENA is no different. It is an extremely important region in the global game, and I feel that we should and will be represented there in the future.
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