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The Business of Sport

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Course overview

QUT Business School is pleased to introduce the program for Global Innovation Challenge 2026 (GIC@QUT2026). The QUT Business School program for 2026 focuses on The Business of Sport. Developed in collaboration with Innovation Central Brisbane (ICB) and QUT Sport, the program will immerse GIC participants in emerging trends, technologies, and business models shaping contemporary sport industries globally.

GIC participants nominated by partner universities will engage directly with Innovation Central Brisbane, QUT Sport, and connect with QUT industry partners including connections with Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, major sporting teams, and grassroots sporting initiative. The two-week program will focus of the business of sport across range of opportunities.

Innovation Central Brisbane (ICB) is a cutting-edge innovation ecosystem and research hub co-created in partnership with global technology giant Cisco. ICB is shaping the future of digital transformation in Queensland and beyond by connecting big tech, academia, industry and government to solve real-world problems.

QUT Sport is focused on engaging the future of sport through technology, innovation, inclusion and wellbeing. QUT Sport is committed to a new vision for the Future Of Sport. This vision that is founded on a commitment to challenge conventional thinking and go beyond the accepted normality of sports practice to execute a new strategy for the ‘real world’.

By the end of the GIC@QUT2026 program, each team will have developed strategic, innovative, and technology‑enabled responses to the evolving global sport landscape, culminating in a final pitch to industry and university partners.

Academic year

2025/26

Duration and dates

2 weeks from Monday 22 June to Friday 3 July 2026 with welcome event on Sunday 21 June

Teaching format

Face to face/In Person at QUT Gardens Point campus in Central Business District (CBD)/downtown of Brisbane

Coordinators

Ingrid Larkin, Associate Director – Work Integrated Learning, QUT Faculty of Business and Law, and Paula Dootson, Associate Professor, QUT Faculty of Business and Law, in collaboration with Innovation Central Brisbane and QUT Sport – Emily Rosemond OLY, Director QUT Sport

Biography

TBC

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Analyse global trends shaping the future of the sport industry, including digital transformation, fan engagement, and emerging commercial opportunities.
  2. Evaluate contemporary sport management practices through direct engagement with QUT Sport’s high‑performance environment, operational systems, and community sport initiatives.
  3. Apply innovation and design‑thinking methodologies to sport‑industry challenges using frameworks and tools introduced through Innovation Central Brisbane.
  4. Assess the strategic value of emerging technologies—including AI, IoT, data analytics, and smart‑venue systems—and articulate their implications for sport organisations, athletes, and fans.
  5. Collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams to develop creative, user‑centred, and technologically enabled solutions to real‑world industry problems.
  6. Communicate strategic recommendations and innovation concepts clearly and persuasively in professional pitch formats to industry partners and university stakeholders.
  7. Reflect critically on the ethical, cultural, and social implications of technological disruption in the sport sector and propose responsible approaches to innovation.

Course content

TBC

Course value

6 ECTS (equivalent to 12 credit points at QUT)

Required background

Each student is required to have completed one semester of coursework at master level at one of the participating business schools. Each student must complete the required application process at home university, and be nominated by home university to be accepted into GIC@QUT026 program.

Assessment

Students will complete two key assessment items:

  1. A workbook which includes individual and team profile, self and peer assessment, and at the end of program, a reflection video.
  2. A pitch to industry and academic panel which is assessed as a team and individually.

Bibliography

There are no required texts. Students will be informed of any recommended prior readings on confirmation of enrolment.

Extra cost

AUD500 per participant

The participation fee/extra cost covers some catering (e.g., welcome event and end of program event), transport to industry partner visits, tickets to sports matches, and other incidentals (e.g., access to software and GenAI tools). Each participant is responsible for travel costs (including flights and transfers), accommodation costs, general meals, and social activities.

Miscellaneous information

TBC

About the School

The QUT Business School is Australia’s first Business School with the Triple Crown of international accreditation.

Located at the Gardens Point campus in Brisbane’s central business district, it offers its students learning opportunities in spaces that encourage collaboration, practical problem solving, and integrates technology to engage students on campus and online.

 QUT is known as ‘the university for the real world’ because of our close links with industry and our relevant teaching and applied research. As an institution we seek to equip our students with the skills they’ll need in an increasingly disrupted and challenged world. QUT is a university with a global outlook and real world focus.