Photo: Natalie Kazanjian with (l-r) Shane Bradley, Project Coordinator, Siah McCabe, Project Management Director and Jonathan Todd, Director of Social Impact at FIFA World Cup 2026 Philadelphia.
Behind every major sporting event is a complex network of planning, partnerships and people. University of Delaware student Natalie Kazanjian gained rare access to that behind-the-scenes world, learning how Philadelphia is preparing to host matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Kazanjian, a junior media communications and sport management major, was selected as the only UD student to participate in the Rising Stars Academy, a month-long career development program in October connected to preparations for the World Cup. The program brought together a select group of 24 students from the Philadelphia region to explore the operational, marketing and logistical efforts behind one of the world’s largest sporting events.
“I applied to the Rising Stars Academy because I wanted a hands-on way to explore the sports industry for such a once-in-a-lifetime event,” Kazanjian said. “The opportunity to work with Philadelphia Soccer 2026 and FIFA was something I could not pass up as it is the biggest sporting event in the world.”
The Rising Stars Academy is designed to prepare students for careers in the sports and events industry by combining professional panels, site visits and collaborative projects. Through partnerships with Philadelphia Soccer 2026, local venues and industry leaders, students gained insight into what it takes to plan and execute a global event that will draw millions of fans from around the world. For Kazanjian, the exposure to professionals working across different sectors of sport management was one of the most impactful aspects of the program. Daily panel discussions allowed students to hear firsthand about career paths, challenges and realities within the industry.
“The most impactful moments were hearing professionals talk in panels each day about their career journeys and the realities of working in sports,” she said. “During the tours, seeing Philadelphia City Hall, Xfinity Mobile Arena, and Lincoln Financial Field made everything feel realistic.” Those experiences reinforced Kazanjian’s interest in the sports industry by revealing the diversity of roles available. From operations and event planning to marketing and partnerships, the program highlighted how many paths exist within sport management.
“This career development program made my interest in the sports industry even stronger by showing me how many different paths exist within it,” Kazanjian said. “My eyes have been opened by many new roles that I have since decided to research more about.”
A centerpiece of the Rising Stars Academy is a collaborative group project that challenges students to apply their knowledge to real-world issues. Working alongside students from other universities, Kazanjian’s team addressed public safety challenges surrounding Philadelphia’s upcoming World Cup matches.
Their solution was an innovative app concept called FIFAdelphia, designed to serve as a centralized safety and information hub for residents and international visitors. The app would provide real-time updates on events, game schedules, tailgates and safety alerts, along with translation features to reduce language barriers.
“At the end we had to present our project to the judges,” Kazanjian said. “It was a super exciting opportunity to showcase how we could use technology and planning to enhance the fan experience while keeping the community and travelers safe in the city.”
Kazanjian credits her preparation for the program to Lerner’s experiential learning approach and the sport management curriculum. Through coursework, student organizations and internships, she developed the confidence and skills needed to succeed in a professional environment. “The Lerner classes I have taken overall strengthened my communication, management, and thinking skills,” she said. “This helped me ask better questions, contribute to my group project confidently and make meaningful connections with professionals and my peers.”
Lerner faculty member John Allgood emphasized the importance of opportunities like Rising Stars in complementing classroom learning. “Natalie had the opportunity to have a unique experience to learn about international soccer and the World Cup,” Allgood said. “I am sure she will remember her experience and apply it in her future career.”
Allgood stated that experiential learning is central to Lerner’s sport management program, allowing students to understand industry expectations before entering the workforce. “When our students get to experience what it is like to work in the industry before they graduate, they go into their careers with real experience,” he said. “It sets the students up for success because they understand the expectations.”
Looking ahead, Kazanjian said the Rising Stars Academy helped clarify her career goals and solidify her interest in event operations and sport management. “This program helped me clarify that I want to pursue a career in sport management or event operations post grad,” she said. “I have always wanted to work for the Premier League, so this opportunity of working with FIFA made that seem even more real.”
Kazanjian encourages other Lerner students to pursue opportunities even when they seem out of reach. “You never know where you can end up,” she said. “The industry is all about networking and being willing to learn, so if you’re curious and have a passion, programs like Rising Stars can open doors you didn’t even know existed.”
Through experiences like the Rising Stars Academy, Lerner continues to prepare students for dynamic, real-world careers – turning classroom lessons into global opportunities.