About us

Talent, passion and performance

“In my opinion, athletes possess remarkable qualities. They are committed, eager to improve and goal-oriented. With these traits and the right academic training, they become successful leaders in the world of Sports Management. Who better to serve the best interests of sport than someone who has the heart of an athlete?”

Johan Cruyff (1947-2016)

In 1999, Johan Cruyff founded the Johan Cruyff Academy to enable athletes to combine sports and education, preparing them for a successful future both during and after their athletic careers. From that origin, Cruyff Education has grown into a global movement where sport and study go hand in hand. Get smarter, perform better!

Cruyff Education offers programs at every level, from vocational and higher education to executive education, for elite athletes and professionals with a passion for sport, both inside and outside the sports sector. We provide flexibility in location, timing, and duration of our programs, allowing students to learn in a way that fits their ambitions, rhythm, and lifestyle.

Cruyff Education connects emerging talent with the professional world. Our Cruiffian learning approach, rooted in the values of sport, gives students a distinct advantage in the job market, creating a win-win for both (sports) organizations and students.

“The program gave me the mindset needed to succeed in motorsport. I learned to handle pressure and planning, which is essential in my sport. The program fully supported me in my sport and ensured that in the end, I left with a diploma.”

Larry ten VoordeAlumnus, Johan Cruyff College

“For the first time, I truly felt understood, it was normal that I had to leave for training or competitions, and no one batted an eye when they learned that my sport is ballroom dancing. It made me very independent and shaped me into someone ambitious and determined, who knows what she wants to achieve.”

Jordan KoeneAlumna, Johan Cruyff Academy

“The program helped me turn my sports experiences into tangible value. I learned skills such as building a strong value proposition, finding the right audience, and creating a brand — knowledge I could immediately apply to my own startup, which is linked to the sports industry.”

Noora PenttiAlumna, Johan Cruyff Institute