James Hartley
Founder & Director
Ex-FA coach who got tired of watching other people organise tournaments badly. Started ATG in 2018 out of a shared office in Salford. Still turns up to every event.
Our Story
Built by sport people,
Built by sport people,
for sport people.
Apex Tournament Group was founded in 2018 by a team of event professionals and former competitive athletes with a shared obsession: delivering tournaments that people actually remember.
Our story
We started because we were tired of watching people struggle with it.
James ran a corporate football event in 2017: beautiful pitch, no referees, draw printed in the wrong format, trophies arrived after everyone left. He thought: there has to be a better way. That was the start of ATG.
We're not a venue hire company. We're not a printing firm. We don't just "coordinate". We run your event, properly, from the first email to the trophy photo. If something goes wrong on the day, we fix it. That's the deal.
143
Events since 2018
8
Sports covered
96%
Rebook or refer
6
Full-time staff
What drives us
What we actually care about
Not a mission statement. Just the things we've learned actually matter after 143 events.
Reliability
If we say we'll deliver, we deliver. No excuses. Every vendor, referee, and venue is confirmed well in advance so your day goes ahead regardless.
Excellence
We obsess over quality, from the trophy's engraving to the clarity of the livestream. Premium details elevate the entire experience.
Efficiency
From brief to event, our process is built to move fast. Our configurator, online catalogue, and dedicated project managers cut lead time dramatically.
Inclusivity
Sport is for everyone. Whether it's a FTSE 100 corporate league or a Sunday-league playoff, every participant deserves a properly organised experience.
The team
The people behind the events
Six of us full-time. Every one with a background in sport, events, or both. Nobody here fell into it accidentally.
Sophie Clarke
Head of Corporate Events
Came from a hospitality background, got hooked on sport events. Knows what a Head of HR actually needs from a team day, and it's rarely what they ask for initially.
Marcus Okafor
Operations Manager
Played basketball semi-professionally before moving into logistics. If something can go wrong on event day, Marcus has seen it and fixed it.
Rachel Price
Venue & Partnerships Lead
Spent three years negotiating venue contracts for a national sports charity before joining us. Our preferred venue list exists largely because of her.
Tom Nguyen
Esports & Digital Lead
Competed in LAN tournaments as a teenager, then got serious about the production side. Runs all our esports events and manages our streaming setup.
Emily Ward
Creative & Branding
Sports photographer first, brand designer second. The banners, the trophy engravings, the post-event content reels: that's all Emily, usually finished the night before.
How we work
What actually happens after you enquire
01
Discovery & Brief
We start with a conversation, or if you prefer, the online configurator. We'll understand your objectives, audience, and budget before recommending a format.
02
Planning & Venue
Our venue team shortlists and secures the right facilities. We handle all contracts, risk assessments, and access logistics so you don't have to.
03
Branding & Comms
We build an event brand: custom logos, signage, programmes, and digital assets. We can also manage participant communications and registration on your behalf.
04
Day-of Delivery
Our on-the-ground team sets up, runs the schedule, manages officials, and ensures every participant has the best possible experience from first whistle to last.
05
Post-event Wrap
You'll receive a professional photo and video package, results summary, and an event report within 7 days, ideal for internal comms or social media.
Trusted & accredited
Why you can trust us
FA Partner Network
Affiliated with the Football Association for grassroots event delivery standards.
£5M Public Liability
Fully insured for all event types, including outdoor and indoor sports venues nationwide.
Registered in England
Apex Tournament Group Ltd is registered at Companies House: transparent, accountable, and professional.
98% Satisfaction Rate
Based on post-event survey data across 140+ events. We ask every client, every time.
Let's build something together.
Whether you have a clear brief or just an idea, we're ready to help you take it from concept to championship.