The future of youth sports starts here.
Created in 2019, NextUp is the only annual conference tailored to providing youth sports organizers with the professional development and networking opportunities they need to take their business to the next level.
October 15-16, 2025
New York City


What is NextUp?
Over 400 leaders in youth sports gather each year to make sense of the shifting landscape of youth sports and shape what’s coming next.
Designed for directors, operators, and entrepreneurs this year’s conference will deliver two dynamic days of connection, insight, and action in the name of making youth sports happen
Speakers
Youth sports leaders
Years running
Technology partners










Have the conversations that matter
NextUp ’25 will feature two days of content and networking, allowing you to hear from inspirational speakers and have in-depth conversations with others in the room.

Day 1
Keynote Presentations
Hear from experts on the forces shaping play: AI, education, investment, and more.
- Get Informed
- Spark Ideas
- Meet the Community

Day 2
Custom Content Tracks
Dive into the topics that you care about the most – with a collection of leaders tailored to your track.
- Breakouts
- Roundtables
- Networking Sessions
- Workshops
Past speakers
From business leaders in youth and pro sports and professional athletes, to innovators from media and tech, NextUp speakers are the changemakers shaping how kids play and how we lead and grow—on the field and beyond.

Julie Foudy
ESPN Analyst and former USWNT champion

David Robinson
Admiral Capital co-founder, NBA champion

Swin Cash
Admiral Capital co-founder, NBA champion

Shane Battier
TEDx Speaker and NBA champion

Paul Rabil
President, PLL

David James
Vice President, Baseball & Softball Development, MLB
- Adam Geisler | Youth Athletes United
- Alex Day | Content Creator
- Alex Gonzalez | 100 Yards to Go
- Ali Curtis | MLS NEXT
- Alison Overholt | ESPN
- Amanda Kraus | US Rowing
- Amy Brooks | NBA
- Andy Hayes | Go4Ellis
- Angela Ruggiero | Sports Innovation Lab
- Anthony Kennada | Front
- Anucha Browne | UNICEF
- Aoife McArdle | Airbnb
- Ash Quinn | Team TACA
- Ben Joffe | National Youth Sports Nevada
- Ben Knosby | Lucid Travel
- Benita Fitzgerald Mosley | Multiplying Good
- Brad Freeman | Mavs Academy at Dallas Mavericks
- Brad Stulberg | Author
- Brendan Szulik | Silbo
- Brian Scalabrine | NBA
- Camille Kelly | CKC Solutions
- Candice Haynes | Jr. NBA
- Cari Champion | ESPN
- Carolyn Childers | Chief
- Chad Sunderland | USOPC
- Chris Knutson | TeamGenius
- Chris Sullivan | Kworq
- Chuck Irvin | SOCCER.COM
- Craig Lytle | AmperVue
- Craig Moody | Shoot360
- Dan Porter | Overtime
- Daniel Vieira | LivFree
- Danielle Slayton | Fox Sports
- David Krichavsky | NBA
- David Millay | EngageMint
- David Wright | US Soccer Federation
- Debarati Roy | Bloomberg
- Derek Ernst | Augusta Sportswear
- Derrick Dockery | NFL
- Dhani Jones | QEY Capital
- Dionna Widder | Houston Dynamo
- Don Garber | MLS
- Dorothy Kolb | DK East
- Doug Bernstein | House of Highlights
- Dr. Adam Wright | Plano Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center
- Dr. Darien Sutton-Ramsey | ABC News
- Dr. Kensa Gunter | Certified Mental Performance Consultant
- Duke Baxter | Dominate the Diamond
- Edwin Desamour | The Lighthouse 1893
- Eric Fisher | Sports Business International
- Erica Anderson | The New Savant
- Erika White | Chelsea Piers
- Garrett Shea | Sports Sponsorship Consulting
- Gary Belsky | Elland Road Partners
- Geoff VanDeusen | United Soccer Coaches
- George Barrios | Isos Capiital
- Gotham Chopra | Religion of Sports
- Graham Leveston | College Properties Group
- Greg Kristof | Young Strategic Ventures
- Izell Reese | RCX Sports
- Jason Clement | Sports Facilities Companies
- Jeff Addiego | Golden State Warriors
- Jeff Flug | Shake Shack
- Jenna Arnold | Author
- Jennifer Pivnick | USSCI
- Jocelynne Cummings | New York Islanders
- Jody Sherman Levos | BEGiN
- Joe Janosky | Hospital for Special Surgery
- Joe Lemire | Sport Techie
- Jordan Fliegel | Techstars Sports Accelerator
- Josh Wolfe | Lux Capital
- Juan Leonel Gárciga | Texas Rangers Baseball Club
- Julie Uhrman | Angel City FC
- Justin Hoeveler | Youth Enrichment Brands
- Justin Nihiser | Gannett Station Partners
- Karl Rectanus | Learn
- Kathy Behrens | NBA
- Kathy Nelson | Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation
- Kay Bradley | U.S Soccer Federation
- Kelvin Jones | Columbus Crew SC
- Ken Clausen | Headstrong Foundation
- Kendra Gaunt | Color of Change
- Kerry Woloszynek | Cleveland Cavaliers
- Kim Davis | NHL
- Lance Thomas | NBA
- Lee Geiling | K&K Insurance
- Lesle Gallimore | Girls Academy League
- Linda Flanagan | Author
- Lisa Delpy Neirotti | George Washington University
- Lisa Levine | National Women’s Soccer League
- Liz Robertshaw | IWLCA
- Marti Reed | Positive Coaching Alliance
- Matt Young | FSQ Sport
- Melanie Whelan | Summit Partners
- Melissa Ortiz | Olympian
- Michael Lombardi | Sports Academy Group
- MIck Smoothey | PF Compass
- Mike Millay | Clancy’s Sports Properties
- Lance Thomas | NBA
- Lee Geiling | K&K Insurance
- Lesle Gallimore | Girls Academy League
- Linda Flanagan | Author
- Lisa Delpy Neirotti | George Washington University
- Lisa Levine | National Women’s Soccer League
- Liz Robertshaw | IWLCA
- Marti Reed | Positive Coaching Alliance
- Matt Young | FSQ Sport
- Melanie Whelan | Summit Partners
- Melissa Ortiz | Olympian
- Michael Lombardi | Sports Academy Group
- MIck Smoothey | PF Compass
- Mike Millay | Clancy’s Sports Properties
Hundreds of organizations, across every sport
NextUp ’25 will feature two days of content and networking, allowing you to hear from inspirational speakers and have in-depth conversations with others in the room.
Secure your spot
Registration closes in
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the NextUp conference?
NextUp ‘25 will take place from October 15-16, 2025 at Civic Hall in Union Square.
Address: 124 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003 View map
Who should attend NextUp ‘25?
Club & League Operators, Program Directors, Facility Managers, Startup Founders, Tech Builders, Marketers & Recruiters, Nonprofit Leaders & Brand Strategists.
Where can I find the agenda?
The full agenda for NextUp ‘25 will be published closer to the event date. Stay tuned—we’ll announce agenda details via email and on this website as they become available.
Are meals included?
Lunch is provided on both days, along with snacks throughout the event and breakfast on Day 2. Happy hours and light snacks provided both evenings, however dinner is not included.
Questions? Email us nextup@leagueapps.com