Football in the Balkans

Football in the Balkans: Past, Present and Future

Multidimensional Approach

Bucharest, Romania
Football in the Balkans conference banner

Conference Description

The conference brings together scholars, practitioners, football professionals and other relevant actors to explore the game as a complex social, historical, political and economic phenomenon across Eastern Europe. Particular attention will be given to developments in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Türkiye while encouraging comparative perspectives from beyond the region.

By connecting academic research with practical experience from the football world, the conference aims to create a genuinely interdisciplinary conversation about the past, present and future of football in the Balkans.

Official Language

English. All presentations, submissions and conference materials must be prepared in English.

Who Should Attend?

  • Academics and researchers
  • Football club representatives
  • Coaches and technical staff
  • Football federation officials
  • Referees and assessors
  • Sports medicine specialists
  • Sports economists and lawyers
  • Museum and heritage professionals
  • Journalists and media professionals
  • Students and doctoral researchers

Important Dates

Call for Papers Opens
Submission Deadline
Notification of Acceptance
Early Registration Deadline
Conference Dates

Provisional Programme

Registration and Coffee
Opening Ceremony
Conference Photo & Partners Presentation
Keynote Speaker
Coffee Break
Session 1
Lunch
Session 2
Break
Session 3
Conference Dinner

Call for Papers and Expert Proposals

We welcome academic and practice-oriented contributions in football history, heritage, tactics, coaching, scouting, youth development, medicine, sports science, kinesiology, refereeing, sociology, fan cultures, governance, economics, finance, policy, management, media, digital transformation, museology, infrastructure, inclusion, sustainability and the future of football in the Balkans.

Submission Formats

  • Individual academic papers
  • Thematic panels
  • Professional presentations
  • Expert-led sessions
  • Roundtables
  • Case studies
  • Keynote proposals

Review Process

All submissions will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee based on relevance, originality, methodological quality and contribution to the conference themes.

Publication Opportunities

Selected papers may be considered for publication in conference proceedings, an edited volume or a partner journal subject to peer review.

Presentation Format

Standard presentations: 15 minutes presentation plus 5-10 minutes discussion and Q&A.

Special Featured Panel

Football Governance and Financial Sustainability in Southeast Europe

Scientific Committee

Teodor Borisov(Independent researcher, Bulgaria)
Sorin-Mirel Ciolcă(UNEFS Bucharest, Romania)
Pompiliu-Nicolae Constantin(UNEFS Bucharest, Romania)
Grigore Gheorghe(UNEFS Bucharest, Romania)
Kornelia Naydenova(Vassil Levski University, Bulgaria)
Tudor Palade(UNEFS Bucharest, Romania)
Nikola Stojanović(University of Niš, Serbia)
Ileana Szasz(SNSPA Bucharest, Romania)
Octavian Țîcu(Moldova State University, Republic of Moldova)
Răzvan-Andrei Voinea(CS Sportul Est European, Romania)
Vassilis Barkoukis(Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece)

Organising Committee

Pompiliu-Nicolae Constantin(UNEFS Bucharest)
Andrei Antonie(University of Eastern Finland)
Matei Gheboianu(Faculty of History, University of Bucharest)
Marius Deaconu(Faculty of History, University of Bucharest)
Anita Sterea(Asociația Coolturală Nouă ne Pasă & University of Bucharest)
Diego Ciobotaru(University of Bucharest)
Matei-Mihnea Tița(Faculty of History, University of Bucharest)
Ștefan Marinescu(UNEFS Bucharest)
Ștefan-Cosmin Nistor(UNEFS Bucharest)
Vlad Voinea(UNEFS Bucharest)

Participation Fee and Practical Information

Regular participant: EUR 50. The fee includes access to sessions, coffee breaks, lunch and social activities.

Participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. Support may be provided in selected cases for keynote speakers and invited experts.

Contact

Conference email: ….

Website: To be announced