The chair of the Football Association and the top executives behind Soccer Aid were among the big names honoured at the 2026 Global Football Industry Awards at the Nobu Hotel in central London.
Sponsored by automotive brand Chery, the awards once again brought together leading figures from across the world for a star-studded ceremony that celebrated the people and organisations shaping the game on and off the pitch.
The FA’s Debbie Hewitt won the Football Industry Leader Award, a category which highlights the influence of thoughtful, strong leadership across the professional game.
Paul Stratford and Kenneth Shepherd, directors of Triple S Sports Group, were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award – presented by England legend Wayne Rooney, a client of Stretford’s – in recognition of the role they played in helping Soccer Aid raise more than £137m for Unicef, the global children’s charity.
Hosted by the event’s co-founder Jamie Carragher and fellow former England international Theo Walcott, along with Sky Sports broadcaster Hayley McQueen, the Global Football Industry Awards recognised achievement across commercial partnerships, marketing, technology, sustainability, representation and community impact.
Guests on the night included former England captain Wayne Rooney, former Lionesses Millie Bright and Toni Duggan, TV presenter Paddy McGuinness and England assistant manager Anthony Barry, who also took part in a special question-and-answer session with Carragher, and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness. Entertainment came courtesy of Heather Small, the voice of M People.
Unique Sports Group took the Agency of the Year Award, presented in recognition of its expertise in talent management, career development and strategic advice and its position as one of the sport’s most influential agencies. Another agency, Gersh Football, received a special recognition honour for its merger with PLG, and its head of football UK, Tyler Alexander-Arnold, won the Football Industry Rising Star Award, recognising his work representing football talent, including Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson.
The collaboration between Italian football giants Juventus and vehicle company Jeep won them the Best Sponsorship or Partnership Award, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and Whoop, while Guinness, now the official beer of the Premier League, was named Brand of the Year.
There were also awards for the PFA, with its chief executive Maheta Molango winning the Football Business Trailblazer Award and his colleague Simone Pound MBE being recognised with the Game-Changer Award.
Liverpool FC won the Sustainable Game accolade for its Red Way strategy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve operational efficiency, and engage supporters and local communities in a textbook demonstration of how football can drive meaningful environmental and social progress. The Wrexham AFC Foundation, meanwhile, took the Outstanding Community Impact by a Football Club Award ahead of Chelsea Foundation. DSV and Adobe were recognised for their investment in women’s football.
Awards co- host Theo Walcott said:
“It was fantastic to host this year’s Global Football Industry Awards, proudly sponsored by Chery. It was another brilliant evening celebrating the people, teams and organisations making a real impact across the game – and recognising some truly deserving winners.”
Farrell Hsu from Headline Partner Chery added:
“Chery is immensely proud to have partnered with the Global Football Industry Awards. It has been a fantastic evening celebrating the people, organisations and businesses whose innovation, ambition and commitment continue to drive football forward, both on and off the pitch.
“We would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and nominees on their outstanding achievements. It has been a privilege to support an event that shines a light on the incredible work taking place across the global game, and we look forward to building on this partnership in the future.”
2026 Global Football Industry Award winners:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul Stretford and Kenneth Shepherd
Football Industry Leader: Debbie Hewitt MBE
Agency of the Year: Unique Sports Group
Special Recognition Honour: Gersh Football
Football Industry Rising Star: Tyler Alexander-Arnold
Best Sponsorship or Partnership: Jeep and Juventus
Football Business Impact: Legacie Sports Group
Brand of the Year: Guinness
Football Business Trailblazer Award: Maheta Molango
Game-changer: Simone Pound MBE
Sustainable Game: Liverpool FC
Outstanding Community Impact: Wrexham AFC Foundation
Investment in Women’s Football: DSV and Adobe
Best Fan Engagement: Brentford FC
Best Professional Services Team: Evelyn Partners
Legal Team: RPC
Best Social Media: EA Sports
Media Team of the Year: Buzz 16
Best Marketing Campaign: Chelsea FC
Technology in Football: Stats Perform
Global Football Business Award: Sportfive
Next Generation Awards: Adam Dugdale and Sophie McNally