The strategic alliance between Alfonso X el Sabio University (UAX), Rafa Nadal, and the Rafa Nadal Academy marks a milestone as it celebrates its inaugural anniversary by broadening specialized training in sports management and announcing four new master’s degrees, including a Sports Management MBA.
UAX continues to drive forward the UAX Rafa Nadal Sports School, an education model aligned with the realities of today’s labor market and the needs of the sports industry. This initiative was created in collaboration with Rafa Nadal and his team at the Rafa Nadal Academy to prepare professionals who can advance the sports sector with practical, market-ready skills.
Born a year ago, the UAX Rafa Nadal Sports School aims to cultivate professionals who embody strong values and deliver premium training in sports management. The program now enhances that mission with new postgraduate courses co-directed by Quirónsalud and designed by Rafa Nadal’s team alongside the UAX faculty. These programs enable students to specialize in the most sought-after areas of today’s sports industry.
The Online Master in Sports Nutrition and Training targets students focused on sports performance, dietetics, and nutrition. The Online University Specialist in High Performance Sports Psychology responds to current industry trends by preparing professionals who help athletes reach peak performance. The Master in High Performance and Health equips those with a strong technological background to specialize in high‑level sports through the application of cutting-edge technologies.
In addition to these master’s degrees, the UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sports has launched an MBA in Sports Management. This program centers on the digital sports business and is developed by Rafa Nadal and his team. The education model blends classroom lessons with insights from leading sports professionals who bring real-world experience from Miami and the Rafa Nadal Academy, offering students direct exposure to industry networks for their professional development.
These master’s offerings complement existing programs such as the Master’s Degree in Sports Physiotherapy, the Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Degree (CAFYD), the Human Nutrition and Dietetics Degree, and the Physiotherapy and Health Sciences degrees. They align with the university’s mission to bring together studies in human nutrition and dietetics, physical activity and sport sciences, and physiotherapy within the UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sports.
Beyond the academic curriculum, the UAX Rafa Nadal School of Sports provides state-of-the-art facilities where students learn. The campus features the UAX Fitness Center with over 1,000 square meters of space and advanced technology to optimize athletic performance. A Virtual Simulation Hospital recreates clinical environments with immersive, experiential learning tools to study real-world scenarios. The recently opened sports center spans more than 2,000 square meters and showcases modern facilities and sustainable design, complemented by the TechnoGym classroom complex. These resources empower students to integrate theory with hands-on practice.
Students also gain practical experience through internships with top organizations such as Movistar’s Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Quirónsalud, professional sports clubs, and university health facilities. The program places emphasis on collaborations with physiotherapy, psychology, podiatry, and occupational therapy experts from UAX’s health sciences division to support a holistic education.
The first anniversary signals a broader transformation of the university’s academic model to narrow the gap between university education and the labor market. This progress unfolds through close cooperation with industry partners and leading organizations, alongside ongoing modernization and digitization of campus facilities.
In addition to its alliance with Rafa Nadal’s team and the Rafa Nadal Academy, UAX participates in the International Olympic Committee’s group of research universities and has established partnerships with leading companies such as Quirónsalud, Santander, KIA, Babolat, Cantabria Labs, Telefónica, Abbott, BeOne, Altafit, Diario AS, Decathlon, YouFirst, and others. These collaborations help reinforce real-world relevance and opportunities for graduates in North America and Canada, where demand for sports science and management expertise continues to grow. (Citation: UAX Rafa Nadal Sports School)