Luke Verbeek

Luke Verbeek is the Founder and CEO of Homefans, a company he established in 2015.3 Homefans is a managed marketplace for local-led sports experiences, primarily focusing on soccer.1

Background and Inspiration

Luke's inspiration for Homefans came from his personal experiences as a Manchester United fan from the Netherlands. He often felt like an outsider when visiting Manchester for matches, which led him to create a solution for sports fans seeking more authentic, local experiences.1

Homefans Business Model

Homefans operates as a platform that connects traveling sports fans with local hosts and experiences. The company offers:

• Multi-day trips and tours
• Matchday experiences with locals
• Coverage in over 95 cities worldwide
• A network of hundreds of local hosts1

Market and Growth

Homefans is targeting a £240 billion sports tourism market.1 The company has been focusing on building supply density in key locations like Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, with plans to expand across Latin America, Europe, and the United States.

Recent Developments

In July 2024, Luke announced that Homefans successfully closed an oversubscribed funding round, marking a significant milestone for the company.5

Professional Background

Before founding Homefans, Luke spent one year in the corporate world.4 He has a background in international business development and received his education from Saxion Hogeschool Enschede.2

Luke Verbeek's vision is to build the world's leading marketplace for sports experiences, making them accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time.1