Over the past decade, European institutions have made youth employment a central priority in their social and economic policies. Despite various initiatives, youth unemployment remains high at 11.4%, and NEETs represent 11% of those aged 15–29 in Europe.The sports sector, which grew by 13.6% between 2021 and 2023, shows strong potential for creating opportunities for young people, as it employs a higher proportion of youth than other industries. However, many jobs in this sector require formal qualifications and strong soft skills, which can be barriers for NEETs. There is therefore a need for more inclusive and tailored professional integration schemes to help them access sustainable employment in this growing field.