The ESMA (European Stadium Management Association) was launched in 1995 under the leadership of Lionel Dreksler, the former Director of the parc des princes in france.

In July 2008, after the loss of the founding Chairman Lionel Dreksler, the ESMA appointed a new board with John Beattie as President and ESMA became ESSMA.

The members of ESSMA are coming from all over Europe.

The ESSMA also benefits from close relationships with over 80 companies providing goods or services for the industry and created a large database of useful contacts across Europe.