Federacion Espanola de Rugby

What Federacion Espanola de Rugby does

Federación Española de Rugby (FER / RFER), founded in 1923 and headquartered in Madrid, is the official national governing body for rugby union in Spain, affiliated with World Rugby and Rugby Europe. The federation administers the sport end-to-end: it sanctions national competitions (División de Honor, Liga Iberdrola, regional leagues), manages national teams (Los Leones and Las Leonas in both XV and 7s formats), certifies coaches and referees through the ENEE (Escuela Nacional de Entrenamiento y Educación), and runs grassroots development programs including the Generali Get Into Rugby school initiative covering 917 schools and the Universo Mujer women's rugby program with a stated goal of doubling female licenses by 2029.

Operationally, FER runs a digital ecosystem anchored on the ferugby.es portal and the iSquad competition management platform, complemented by VideoFerugby for streaming, an ENEE online learning platform, and club-facing analytics tooling. Athlete performance is monitored using Catapult GPS devices and Veo Technologies' AI-camera video analysis as part of a Game Demands Analysis framework tracking workload, high-intensity effort, and acceleration metrics across national team sessions.

The federation operates as a private non-profit sports organization with no external equity ownership. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: three-year broadcasting rights with Telefónica's Movistar+, a multi-sponsor commercial portfolio anchored by Iberdrola (main sponsor), Joma (kit supplier), Generali (insurer since 2017), KPMG, Tourism Costa del Sol, Renault/Volvo, RENFE, Gilbert, and Veo Technologies, plus institutional funding from CSD (Consejo Superior de Deportes), World Rugby, and Rugby Europe, and event-based income from international tournament hosting (Rugby Sevens World Series finals, Rugby Europe Championship 2026 final in Madrid) plus a bid for the men's 2035 Rugby World Cup. FER has 11–50 employees and reports a 112% revenue uplift in the current financial exercise under president Juan Carlos Martín Sánchez 'Hansen' and director general Miguel Ángel Martín.

Name

Federacion Espanola de Rugby

Legal name

Federación Española de Rugby

Website

https://ferugby.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Federación Española de Rugby (FER) is Spain's national governing body for rugby union, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Madrid. It organizes national competitions, manages the Los Leones and Las Leonas national teams, certifies coaches and referees via ENEE, and develops grassroots, women's, and inclusive rugby programs across 17 autonomous federations and 100+ clubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Sports Federation

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)

Keywords

• Rugby federation governance
• National rugby competitions
• Coach certification programs
• Rugby talent development
• Amateur sports organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Broadcasting Rights: Three-year broadcasting partnership with Telefónica's Movistar+ streaming service for coverage of national competitions and international matches.
2. Sponsorship and Commercial Rights: Revenue from official sponsors including Joma (equipment), Iberdrola (main sponsor), KPMG, Tourism Costa del Sol, Generali, A Worldwide España, and official suppliers including Gilbert (balls), Renault/Vehicles, RENFE (transport), Veo Technologies (video analysis).
3. Government and Institutional Funding: Support from CSD (Consejo Superior de Deportes), World Rugby, Rugby Europe, and regional sports councils for development programs and elite athlete support.
4. International Competition Revenue: Income from hosting international events including Rugby Sevens World Series finals and Rugby Europe Championship, plus participation fees and performance bonuses.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Federación Española de Rugby (FER) is the national governing body for rugby union in Spain, founded in 1923. It organizes national competitions (División de Honor, Liga Iberdrola), manages national teams (Los Leones and Las Leonas), issues official coach and referee certifications through the ENEE, and runs grassroots development programs including Get Into Rugby schools, women's rugby (Universo Mujer), and inclusive rugby. The federation also delivers elite training through six regional High Performance Centers and provides video/content distribution via its digital platforms.

Product overview

The Spanish Rugby Federation (FER/RFER) operates a digital ecosystem centered on the FERugby.es portal, encompassing competition management via the iSquad platform, national team programs, and the ENEE training school. Key offerings include the Ecosistema de Desarrollo de Entrenadores/as for coach development, the Rugby Inclusivo program for mixed-ability participation, and the Universo Mujer initiative for women's rugby expansion. The federation also provides VideoFerugby for streaming, manages Rugby 7s Series competitions, and oversees various youth development programs (M12/M18) through its training and education infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ENEE - Escuela Nacional de Entrenamiento y Educación: National Training and Education School - federation's coach and referee development program
• Los Leones
• Las Leonas
• Liga Iberdrola
• División de Honor
• Universo Mujer

Products and services

• ENEE - Escuela Nacional de Entrenamiento y Educación National Training and Education School providing formal coach and referee certifications (CSD Level I-III, World Rugby Levels 1-2), continuous education, mentorship, and youth player development pathways (M12/M18). Target audience: coaches, referees, and players across Spain.
• iSquad Results Platform Online competition management and live results system covering national leagues (División de Honor, Liga Iberdrola), regional competitions, and national team matches across Rugby XV and Rugby 7 formats. Target audience: clubs, federations, players, and fans.
• Rugby Inclusivo Program Inclusive rugby initiative promoting mixed-ability rugby participation, including national championships, development strategies, and collaborative projects with clubs across Spain. Target audience: individuals with disabilities and mixed-ability rugby participants.
• Universo Mujer - Women's Rugby Program Comprehensive women's rugby development initiative including Liga Iberdrola women's league, XV and 7s national teams (Las Leonas), coaching development, leadership academies, and strategies to double female licenses by 2029. Target audience: female rugby players, coaches, and leaders at all levels.
• Get Into Rugby School Program School-based rugby introduction program in partnership with Generali, providing free teacher training, online modules, and material kits to introduce rugby in educational settings. Target audience: primary and secondary schools across Spain.
• VideoFerugby Video conferencing and streaming platform for rugby content, training sessions, educational broadcasts, and match coverage. Target audience: rugby community, fans, coaches, and players.
• High Performance Rugby Centers (Centros de Rugby) Six regional high-performance training centers (Castilla y León, País Vasco, Cataluña, Valencia, Madrid, Sevilla) providing elite training environments for identified talent. Target audience: identified high-potential youth and elite rugby players.

Quantifiable outcome

• Los Leones7s achieved third place (bronze medal) in HSBC SVNS World Championship
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Telefónica's Movistar+coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 January 2026Three-year broadcasting partnership renewal for coverage of Spanish rugby competitions and national team matches through Movistar+ streaming service. Strategic for national media reach and fan engagement.
• JomacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial equipment sponsor providing match kits, training apparel, and merchandise for national teams and federation staff. Major commercial partner visible on team uniforms.
• IberdrolacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMain sponsor of Spanish rugby, supporting national competitions including División de Honor Masculina and Liga Iberdrola Femenina. Primary commercial partner with widespread brand visibility.
• KPMGmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional services sponsor providing financial and business consulting support to federation operations and development programs.
• Tourism Costa del SolmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism promotion partnership showcasing Spain's Costa del Sol region through rugby sponsorship and event visibility.
• GeneralicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance sponsor and official insurer of national rugby teams since 2017, also supporting Get Into Rugby school program and youth development initiatives.
• A Worldwide EspañamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance and risk management partner supporting national team programs and M20 selection sponsorship.
• Veo TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial technology provider delivering video analysis technology to Spanish rugby clubs through AI-powered camera systems for performance analysis and match review.
• GilbertmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial ball supplier providing match and training rugby balls for all national competitions and federation programs.
• RENFEmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial transport partner providing rail travel services for national team travel and federation operations across Spain.
• VolvomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial vehicle partner providing automobiles for federation operations and national team transportation.
• Loterías y Apuestas del EstadominorGTM or Marketing PartnerState lottery partner supporting federation through promotional partnerships and visibility programs.
• EburyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFintech partner providing financial services and currency solutions for international federation operations and travel.
• Azul Marino ViajesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial travel agency partner managing international travel arrangements for national teams and federation delegations.
• Asociación Nacional de Clubs de Rugby (ANCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ANCR representing club interests, combined with LALIGA to drive professionalization of Spanish club rugby leagues and competitions.
• LALIGAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with professional football league to support rugby professionalization initiative, bringing expertise in sports business development and league management.
• MacronmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial technical supplier providing sports apparel and equipment for federation staff and administrative personnel.
• World RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational governing body providing competition pathways, development grants, coaching education standards, and elite training programs for Spanish rugby.
• Rugby EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean rugby confederation organizing continental competitions including Rugby Europe Championship, providing qualification pathways and development support.
• Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish Higher Sports Council providing governmental support, official recognition for federation certifications, and funding for national sports development programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Fédération Française de Rugby: French national rugby union federation — the most directly comparable European counterpart with the same NGB mandate, national team management, club league organization, and revenue model structure, but operating at substantially larger scale.
• Rugby Football Union: English national rugby union federation — directly comparable NGB operating the Premiership, Twickenham-based national teams, and a similar coaching certification ecosystem, but at materially larger scale and brand recognition.
• Welsh Rugby Union: Welsh national rugby union federation — directly comparable NGB running the United Rugby Championship-affiliated regional teams, national sides, and grassroots development programs.
• Rugby Australia: Australian national rugby union federation — directly comparable NGB managing Wallabies national teams, Super Rugby involvement, and a similar football/AFL-dominated domestic sports ecosystem challenge.
• Scottish Rugby Union: Scottish national rugby union federation — directly comparable NGB operating a similar club-amateur base structure, national team, and Six Nations/World Rugby pathway, with comparable headcount scale.
• Federazione Italiana Rugby: Italian rugby union federation — the closest peer in continental European rugby with a similar football-dominant sports culture challenge, analogous development trajectory, and overlapping Six Nations/European competition pathway.
• Irish Rugby Football Union: Irish national rugby union federation — directly comparable NGB structure managing provincial professional teams and national sides, with overlapping European and Six Nations competition context.

Others

• World Rugby: International governing body for rugby union worldwide — the apex organization to which FER is affiliated, providing competition pathways, certification standards, and development grants that directly shape FER's strategic options.

Regional players

• Real Federación Española de Fútbol: Spanish football federation — domestic peer operating the same Spanish national-sport federation model (CSD oversight, autonomous regional structure, national team management), offering structural and governance parallels despite serving a different sport.

Broad incumbents

• New Zealand Rugby: New Zealand's national rugby union organization — comparable NGB structure but operating at much larger scale and cultural centrality, serving as a benchmark for rugby-development excellence and All Blacks commercial model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ferugby
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FERUGBYTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/ferugby1923
• Instagraminstagram.com/ferugby
• TikToktiktok.com/@ferugby

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Federacion Espanola de Rugby