Conference: The Social Impact of Sports Communication

“The Social Impact of Sports Communication:
(Sports) Media, Engagement, and Activism in the Digital Sphere” 

Conference of the ECREA Temporary Working Group “Communication and Sport”

November 13-15, 2025

Sports media play a crucial role in shaping public discourse, influencing narratives, and determining the visibility of social issues within both the sports industry and wider society. From investigative sports journalism uncovering injustices to strategic communication efforts by athletes, teams, and brands, the role of media in shaping social impact requires critical exploration. Moreover, audiences actively engage with, interpret, and respond to these narratives, shaping the effectiveness and reach of various movements in sports media.

This year’s ECREA Temporary Working Group “Communication and Sport” Conference will explore these and many other dimensions of the social impact of sports communication. The event will be hosted at the German Sport University Cologne, Germany from November 13–15.

• To register for the conference, please use this registration form. Registration is possible by Tuesday, November 4.
• You can find the Call for Abstracts (deadline for submissions June 23, 2025) here.
• The final program of the conference includes seven panels with 30 presentations by presenters from all over Europe (and beyond). You can find the preliminary version of the program here.
• To find out more about the venue, directions and accommodation here.