Internship:
Sports Management & Sports Performance
Portugal + Spain
Highlights
Our Intensive Sports Management & Sports Performance Internship offers a unique opportunity for students to gain immersive international experience while continuing to train for their sport, develop lasting friendships with fellow interns from across the U.S., and enjoy a life-changing experience abroad.
Interns will work together to solve a current challenge facing sports properties in Europe, leading up to a final capstone presentation of their work. We help students align their projects with their career goals in order to gain hands-on experience that will boost their resumes.
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Internships are available to both athletes and non-athletes of all majors who have completed their sophomore year of college.
This internship is particularly catered to students with the following career interests:
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Business
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Digital Marketing
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Data Analytics
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Communications
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Artificial Intelligence
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Design
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Exercise Science
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Nutrition
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Biomecanics
Internship Description
This intensive, two-week internship is designed to give ambitious student-athletes direct, hands-on experience in the global sports industry, going beyond the classroom to tackle real-world challenges. Working side-by-side with experts solving similar projects for their clients, interns will immerse themselves in a goal-oriented work environment, engaging in both self-directed project work and guided working sessions with local professionals.
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Interns will support global sports consultancy firm, N3XT Sports, as junior consultants on a Sports Management or Sports Performance project aligned with their major. They will form multidisciplinary teams — composed of business, marketing, data, and content specialists — to solve a high-stakes, current-day challenge facing major sports entities across the dynamic Iberian Peninsula and European markets. The experience culminates in a professional Final Presentation of the team’s strategic solutions and business plan to the N3XT Sports leadership, providing participants with a portfolio piece and a proven record of collaborative problem-solving at a global level.
Sample projects include:
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The Ultimate Fan Experience Engine: A fan engagement strategy for the 2027 Champions League final
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Multi-Nation Legacy Blueprint: A legacy strategy for the 2030 World Cup​
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Net-Zero Logistics: A sustainability strategy for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix
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AI for Global Market Growth: An AI strategy for NBA Europe games
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Marathon Fueling: Precision nutrition tech for runners at the Lisbon or Valencia Marathon
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Load Management: Racing at peak performance at the Vuelta a España
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Island Mindset: Mental resilience strategy for training in remote settings
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Our local staff will guide students through the placement process and provide on-site support throughout the duration of the program. For students seeking academic credit, we will work with them to meet university requirements. The average internship credit accrued for this program is 30 hours.
Life on Tour
Lodging & Meals
Students will reside in a centrally-located hotel or university residence with fellow interns. Each accommodation includes:​
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Breakfast & lunch, daily (dietary restrictions accommodated)
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Twin bedroom with essential furnishings: bed, linens, bath towels, closet, dresser, desk & nightstand
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Private bathroom
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Laundry, available on site​
After enrollment, students will complete a housing questionnaire to help our local team match them with the most suitable roommate, based on their preferences and needs.
Sports Abroad
Students will be given access to a centrally located gym, allowing them to maintain their individual fitness routines with 4-5 workouts per week.
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In addition, students will have opportunities to engage with local sports teams and participate in training sessions alongside U.S. and international athletes, depending on their sport and location.
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Our team is committed to supporting each student’s athletic goals. We will work closely with students to craft a personalized training plan, based on availability, which can be discussed during the interview process.
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We will ensure the best possible facilities that a location can offer.
Excursions
Daily cultural activities and field trips are included. These include bike tours, guided city tours, cooking classes, sports activities, and live music, as well as visits to Sintra Castle, stadiums, Xàtiva Castle, and beautiful beaches. ​
Program Details
Dates:
Session I: May 24 - June 7, 2026
Tuition: $3995
Included:
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Housing in a hotel or shared residence hall
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Breakfast & lunch, daily
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Round-trip airport transfers (on arrival & departure days)
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Daily cultural activities
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Gym membership
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Sport-specific training opportunities (varies by sport)
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International Health Insurance
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SAA Program T-Shirt
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Internship placement & set-up
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Additional professional development opportunities
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Full pre-departure support & orientation
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Local Support Staff 24/7​
Not Included:
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Roundtrip airfare: Arrival to Lisbon, Portugal (LIS) & Departure from Valencia, Spain (VLC)
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Passport/associated fees, if applicable
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Lunch, daily
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Snacks, souvenirs, & optional entertainment expenses
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Card fees associated with tuition payments (ranging from 3-5%, varies by card). Card fees can be avoided by paying with a US Checking Account.
Payment:
​If accepted, a $250 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. The remaining balance will be paid in installments. Exact payment dates and amounts are outlined in registration. ​
Capacity:
Programs are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each session is capped at 30 students.
Admission Process
1. Apply
Fill out a free application form. We are looking for students who are invested in their professional and personal growth.
2. Interview
Applicants selected to move forward will receive an email to schedule a 20-minute phone interview with our admissions team.
3. Register
If selected, you'll receive the link to register for your program. A $250 deposit is required to reserve your spot.
Questions?
Schedule a call with our team or check out the additional resources on our website!
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