Fifteen years after the Nyon Declaration united athlete associations around fundamental rights, new International Labour Organization Guidelines, approved this week by the ILO Governing Body, mark a significant step towards stronger protections for athletes as workers.
Read the Nyon Declaration here
On 15 November 2026, World Players will mark the 15th anniversary of the Nyon Declaration, a landmark commitment to defending athletes’ fundamental rights and strengthening their collective voice in sport. Fifteen years later, its principles are reflected in new international labour guidelines, shifting the focus towards implementation.
Adopted unanimously at the 2011 World Athletes Summit in Nyon, Switzerland, the Declaration brought together representatives of more than 100 player associations representing over 150,000 athletes. Under the motto “Voice – Dignity – Humanity”, it affirmed athletes’ rights as citizens and workers, including freedom of association, collective representation and meaningful participation in decisions affecting their careers.
The Declaration laid the foundations for World Players and a series of milestones in the recognition of athletes’ rights, including the Universal Declaration of Player Rights in 2017 and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Global Dialogue Forum on decent work in sport in 2020.
A significant development came in March 2026, when experts nominated by governments, employers and workers adopted the ILO Guidelines for the promotion of fundamental principles and rights at work and the prevention and elimination of violence and harassment for professional and high-level athletes. On 12 November 2026, the ILO Governing Body approved the Guidelines and authorised their publication.
The Guidelines affirm athletes’ fundamental labour rights and address freedom of association, collective bargaining, equality, safe and healthy working environments, and protection from violence and harassment. They also cover issues specific to sporting careers, including rest and recovery, maternity protection, freedom of movement and social protection.
The Guidelines provide an international framework to inform national legislation, public policy and national, regional and international regulations, helping translate longstanding principles into practical protections.
For World Players, the anniversary is an opportunity to recognise 15 years of collective progress while looking ahead. The priority now is implementation, which rests primarily with governments. World Players will continue to advocate for strengthening independent player associations, expanding collective bargaining and ensuring effective protections for athletes worldwide. Turning international recognition into meaningful improvements in working conditions will require continued cooperation between governments, employers, sporting organisations and athlete associations.
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