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Most sports management students learn about the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Court of Arbitration for Sport and all the various international sport federations from a textbook. In Lausanne, they are your neighbours. The IOC has called Lausanne its home city since 1915 and more than 50 international federations and sport organisations now operate in and around it, with over 40 of them under one roof at the Maison du Sport International. Here is why that proximity matters, and what to weigh honestly before you make the move. What is sports management? Sports management covers the business side of sport. It covers governance, marketing, sponsorship, event organisation, law, technology and the operations that keep competitions and organisations running. Because so many of the organisations that set the rules of world sport are based in one region, Lausanne is an unusually practical place to learn the field. For a full introduction, read our guide what is sports management? 7 reasons to study sports management in Lausanne Each reason below is based on verifiable facts about the city, its institutions and what students can actually access during their studies. 1 Lausanne is the home of the Olympic Movement In 1915, Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Movement, chose Lausanne as the headquarters of the IOC. The IOC has been based in the city ever since, and opened its current headquarters, Olympic House, on 23 June 2019. On 23 June 1994, to mark the IOC's centenary, Lausanne was officially awarded the title of Olympic Capital. There is only one. For sports management students, it means studying in the city where decisions about the Olympic Games are actually made. 2 A dense cluster of international federations Beyond the IOC, Lausanne and the surrounding Canton of Vaud host one of the largest concentrations of sport governing bodies anywhere. An inventory conducted by AISTS in 2008 counted more than 50 international sport organisations in the canton, alongside companies serving the sport industry. Organisation Role in sport Location International Olympic Committee (IOC) Leads the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games Lausanne, since 1915 Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Resolves sport-related disputes through arbitration and mediation Lausanne, since 1984 Maison du Sport International Houses more than 40 federations and sport organisations, 10 minutes from AISTS Lausanne World Aquatics, FIVB, FEI, FIG International federations for aquatics, volleyball, equestrian sport and gymnastics Lausanne UEFA Governing body of European football Nyon FIBA International basketball federation Mies UCI International cycling union Aigle Selected sport organisations in Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud. Sources: Lausanne Tourisme, CAS, AISTS. The cluster is supported deliberately. The City of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud back three sport cluster platforms covering education and research, industry, and international organisations and events. Since 2016, the ThinkSport network has connected these actors to encourage partnerships and innovation in sport. 3 A strong academic ecosystem Lausanne and the Lake Geneva region combine sport governance with leading academic institutions: EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), one of Europe's leading technical universities. UNIL (University of Lausanne) and UNIGE (University of Geneva), two major Swiss research universities. IMD, an international business school based in Lausanne. EHL, founded in 1893 and a leading name in hospitality management education. All five are among the founders of AISTS, alongside the IOC, the City of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud. The AISTS Master's degree is co-signed by EPFL, UNIL and UNIGE, with contributions from EHL and IMD. Classes take place in the Synathlon building on the UNIL and EPFL campus, a venue for education, sport, training and research opened in 2018. The AISTS campus and Synathlon building overlooking Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland 4 You learn inside the industry, not just about it Proximity only matters if you can use it. Through the AISTS Master, participants attend full-day workshops delivered by sport organisations and federations themselves. Visits are organised throughout the academic year and may include: The International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Studies Centre UEFA, FIBA and the UCI The World Archery Excellence Centre The Swiss Anti-Doping Laboratory and Omega Participants can also volunteer at the many sport events held in the Lausanne region. "Not only as a class do we get a chance to see up close what the daily life in a sports federation looks like, but we also get hands-on experience as an athlete for the day too." – Myungwon Lee, AISTS Master participant, Class of 2019 5 Major sporting events nearby Lausanne does not only govern sport, it hosts it. In 2020 the city staged the 3rd Winter Youth Olympic Games, becoming an Olympic host city 26 years after it was named Olympic Capital. It is also home to Athletissima, its annual international athletics meeting, and many more can't-miss events in Lausanne. Switzerland as a whole hosts world championships and international competitions every year. In 2026, for example, Zurich and Fribourg hosted the IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship. See our 2026 calendar of major sports events in Switzerland for the full list. 6 A network that opens doors In Lausanne, the people who run international sport are part of daily life: as lecturers, speakers, workshop hosts and future colleagues. The AISTS Master draws on more than 100 lecturers and expert speakers active in academia and the sport industry. The results are visible in where graduates work. AISTS reports more than 700 alumni working in the sport industry and that 90% of alumni are employed in it. At the FIFA World Cup 2026, AISTS alumni held roles across Canada, Mexico and the United States, including Marely Flores-Martinez (MAS 2008), Venue Operations Director in Monterrey. Other alumni worked on the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. "The AISTS routinely produces highly trained graduates who have gone on to play leading roles in the world of sports." – Thomas Bach, former IOC President 7 Central location and high quality of life Switzerland consistently ranks among the safest and most liveable countries in the world. For international students, this matters. Lausanne offers: A safe environment, day and night. A cosmopolitan population, with students and professionals from all over the world. The international sport community adds to this diversity, with each AISTS class alone bringing together around 20 nationalities. A lively student scene, with plenty of bars, cultural venues and museums in the city centre. Stunning surroundings, right on the shores of Lake Geneva, with the Alps nearby for hiking, skiing or sailing whenever you need a break. Direct train connections to Geneva, Zurich, Paris and Milan, making it easy to travel for internships, conferences and interviews across Europe. It’s a place where students can focus on their studies and their future, without unnecessary stress. How AISTS connects you to the Olympic Capital All these advantages are real, but they only matter if you have a way to access them. That is what AISTS was built for. AISTS, the International Academy of Sport Science and Technology, is a not-for-profit foundation set up in 2000 by the IOC and the institutions mentioned above. In 2003 it launched its Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Management and Technology, ranked the world's No. 1 Master in Sport Management by Eduniversal every year since 2015 and endorsed by the IOC. The workshops, site visits and alumni network described above are built into the programme. Access to the Olympic Capital becomes part of the curriculum, not something you have to find on your own. Programme detail AISTS Master (MAS) Duration and format 15 months, full-time, on campus in Lausanne Structure Classes from late September to June, followed by a client team project, a research report and at least 8 weeks of work experience Credits 76 ECTS Disciplines Management and business, technology, law, medicine, sociology, leadership and career development Class profile Around 20 nationalities per class; average of 7 years of professional experience Source: AISTS Master in Sport Management and Technology. Admission is selective: AISTS accepts about a quarter of finalised applications and reviews them on a rolling basis, so applying early helps. Applications for the next intake are now open. Wondering what that career could look like? Our article on what you can do with a sports management degree covers the paths graduates take, and the alumni success stories show where the programme has taken past participants. Is Lausanne the right place for you? What to consider before you move Topic What to know Living costs About CHF 2,400 to 3,200 per month for one person, including rent (City of Lausanne, 2025). Language French is the local language. The AISTS Master is taught entirely in English and French is not required, but learning it helps in daily life and local job searches. Residence permit International participants generally receive a B student residence permit. Working usually requires an additional permit. Health insurance Mandatory in Switzerland and not provided by AISTS. Special student offers are presented during onboarding. Workload During the teaching months, around 25 hours of lectures and about 50 hours of total study per week. Part-time work is not recommended. Source: AISTS Master FAQs. Visa rules depend on nationality; check your individual situation. Study sports management in the Olympic Capital Find out whether your profile fits the AISTS Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Management and Technology. 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