Global Champions

What Global Champions does

Global Champions GCL BV is a Netherlands-domiciled, privately held equestrian sports media and entertainment organization founded by Jan Tops, who serves as Founder & President. The company operates two core competition products: the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT), the premier individual show jumping circuit featuring world-class riders at international venues, and the Global Champions League (GCL), a team-based league format with an active mid-season transfer market. Events are held across multiple international venues including Riesenbeck (Germany), Monaco, Vienna (Austria), Paris (France), and London (UK), with the organization claiming a global event footprint.

The underlying technology is centered on GCTV, a proprietary streaming platform that delivers live and on-demand coverage of LGCT and GCL events to a global audience via subscription tiers. GCTV functions as the digital distribution backbone, complementing physical event attendance. Supporting digital properties include the official e-commerce merchandise store (globalchampionsshop.com) and dedicated ticketing and hospitality booking platforms, all operated as first-party direct-to-consumer channels.

Global Champions monetizes through five revenue streams: live event ticket sales, VIP hospitality packages, recurring GCTV streaming subscriptions (Live Pass Annual at approximately €4.99/month when bundled), branded merchandise sales, and sponsorship — anchored by the flagship title sponsorship of Longines for the LGCT. The go-to-market is event-driven, targeting affluent equestrian sports enthusiasts as the primary consumer segment, with corporate brand partners and hospitality clients as secondary segments. The organization is founder-led, privately held, and discloses no external institutional capital or parent company affiliation.

Name

Global Champions

Legal name

Global Champions GCL BV

Website

https://gcglobalchampions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Global Champions is a privately held Dutch equestrian sports organization that operates the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League show jumping circuits, serving elite riders, affluent spectators, and luxury brand sponsors across international venues, supported by its GCTV streaming platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian Sports Entertainment

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Live Sports Leagues & Tours (MPAGAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Team Sports Matches (Club & National) (MPAGAMAB), Golf Tours & Professional Circuits (MPAKAAAK)

Keywords

• Equestrian show jumping
• Live sports events
• Sports streaming platform
• Hospitality packages
• Premium sports entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

Valkenswaard

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Live Event Tickets: Direct ticket sales for access to Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL events held at venues worldwide including Riesenbeck, Monaco, Vienna, Paris, and London
2. VIP Hospitality Packages: Premium hospitality offerings providing exclusive access to equestrian events with lifestyle experiences, unfiltered access to the world of equestrian sport
3. GCTV Streaming Subscription: Monthly and annual subscription plans for live and on-demand video streaming of show jumping events. Live Pass Annual available for €4.99/month (when bundled annually)
4. Official Merchandise Store: E-commerce sales of branded apparel including LGCT hoodies, caps, rain jackets, and GCL merchandise through globalchampionsshop.com
5. Sponsorship: Title sponsorship relationship with Longines for the Longines Global Champions Tour; additional partner sponsorships supporting event operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Global Champions operates the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT), the premier individual show jumping circuit, and the Global Champions League (GCL), a team-based show jumping competition held across international venues in Europe. The organization generates revenue through live event ticket sales, VIP hospitality packages, subscription-based streaming via GCTV, branded merchandise, and title sponsorship from Longines.

Product overview

Global Champions operates two core show jumping products: the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT), a premier individual competition circuit, and the Global Champions League (GCL), a team-based league format. These are supported by GCTV, a streaming platform for live and on-demand event coverage, ticketing services for venue access, official branded merchandise through the GC Store, and VIP hospitality packages. The organization functions as a sports media and entertainment company rather than a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) The premier individual show jumping circuit featuring world-class riders competing across international venues throughout the season, held at locations including Riesenbeck, Monaco, Vienna, Paris, and London.
• Global Champions League (GCL) Team-based show jumping competition where teams of riders compete in a league format throughout the season, complementing the LGCT individual competition.
• GCTV Streaming Platform Proprietary streaming platform offering live and on-demand video coverage of Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League events worldwide, available via Live Pass Annual subscription at €4.99/month.
• Tickets Platform Official ticketing platform providing access to live show jumping events at various international venues, including general admission and early bird pricing options.
• GC Official Store Branded e-commerce merchandise store offering official LGCT and GCL apparel, outerwear, and accessories including hoodies, caps, rain jackets, and gilets.
• Hospitality Packages VIP hospitality packages providing premium access and unfiltered experiences at equestrian events, combining sports entertainment with elegant lifestyle offerings.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• LonginesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLongines serves as the title sponsor of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT), providing the prestigious naming rights to the premier international show jumping circuit. This flagship sponsorship relationship elevates brand visibility and credibility for Longines within the equestrian sports luxury market.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SailGP: International premium sailing league operating a multi-venue global tour with team-based competition, proprietary content distribution, and luxury sponsorships. Closely comparable business model to LGCT/GCL as a touring premium sport with D2C streaming.
• Longines FEI Jumping World Cup: Long-running FEI indoor show jumping series (sponsored by Longines) that competes with LGCT for top riders, indoor arena venues, and ranking points. Direct competitor with similar audience and rider pool.
• Formula E (Formula E Operations): International single-seater motorsport championship operating a multi-city global season, team-based competition, and direct-to-consumer streaming. Highly comparable premium touring league with team formats and lifestyle sponsorships.
• PGA Tour: Premier professional golf tour in the US that operates a season-long points-based circuit with flagship events, title sponsors, hospitality, and direct-to-consumer streaming (ESPN+). Highly comparable touring-circuit and monetization structure to LGCT.
• World Surf League: Professional surfing tour that runs a global championship season, operates proprietary streaming, and markets to a lifestyle-oriented affluent audience. Comparable touring premium-sport media model.
• ATP Tour: Global men's professional tennis tour running a season of international events with rankings, hospitality, sponsorships, and digital streaming (Tennis TV). Strong structural parallel to LGCT's international circuit and premium spectator positioning.
• FEI World Equestrian Games: Multi-discipline FEI championship held every four years covering show jumping, dressage, eventing, and more. Competes with LGCT for the calendar, broadcast windows, and top riders across disciplines relevant to GC's audience.
• Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping: A four-major show jumping series (Aachen, Spruce Meadows, CHIO Geneva, The Dutch Masters) sponsored by Rolex. Direct competitor to the Longines Global Champions Tour for top riders, prestige venues, and luxury watchmaker sponsorship dollars.

Broad incumbents

• FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale): Global governing body for equestrian sports that runs its own jumping series (FEI Jumping World Cup, Nations Cup) and sets the rules and ranking points LGCT depends on. Overlaps with GC on rider pool, calendar, and broadcast rights.
• AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group): Global sports and live entertainment operator that owns/promotes venues, tours, and events (including equestrian events at its venues). Comparable as a large incumbent that intersects with GC's hospitality and event-promotion activities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GCT_Events
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GlobalChampionsTour
• Facebookfacebook.com/GCTofficialpage
• Instagraminstagram.com/longinesglobalchampionstour

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Global Champions