MUMBAI: In a winning shot for India’s sports industry, Rafael Nadal’s school is serving up more than just aces, it’s bringing academic firepower to the field. Sportzprix, India’s grassroots sports education platform, has teamed up with the UAX Rafa Nadal University School, Madrid, to launch a first-of-its-kind Master’s in Digital Sports Marketing programme tailor-made for Indian students and professionals. The nine-month online course rolling out in October 2025 fuses Nadal’s championship mindset with UAX’s academic muscle to upskill future leaders of India’s booming sports economy.
Designed for graduates, athletes, and marketing professionals, the course dives into fan engagement, sponsorship strategy, influencer marketing, and more all recontextualised for India’s dynamic leagues and fandoms. A dedicated India module, co-created with Sportzprix, offers hyperlocal relevance while retaining global rigour.
“It’s not just education, it’s a sporting transformation,” said Prasad Mangipudi, CEO and Co-founder of Sportzprix. “India is bidding for mega events like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, and our leagues are scaling up. This programme ensures our talent pool grows just as fast.”
For those craving a more global view, an optional immersion at the UAX Rafa Nadal campus in Madrid adds cross-continental experience to the mix. Meanwhile, online delivery ensures learners across India can access this training without leaving their home turf.
Nadal, mentor of the programme, called the school a blend of education, specialisation, and sport values, pointing to its grounding in discipline, humility, and perseverance. “In a rapidly evolving world, we must anticipate market needs. That’s what this school is built to do.”
The course arrives at a perfect moment. According to a Google–Deloitte report, India’s sports industry is on track to hit 130 billion dollars by 2030, driven by digital consumption, league proliferation, and sports entrepreneurship. Yet, the skills gap in sports marketing and management remains wide. This course aims to be the bridge.
Miguel Palencia Yllera, Director at UAX Rafa Nadal University School, said, “We’re shaping future professionals in sport tech and management those who understand both the business and the values of the game.”
So, if you're ready to score big in sports business, this could be your grand slam moment.