Born on December 8, 1958 in the Krasnodar Territory. 

Studied in Leningrad, where he graduated from the River Vocational College, the Water Transport Institute and (by correspondence) the Law Department of Leningrad State University.

Worked as a technician on the vessels of the North-Western River Shipping Line and was chairman of the trade union committee of the River College.

1983-1991: instructor, section head, secretary, chairman of the Kirov regional Council of People's Deputies, head of the region's administration.

1992-1996: Deputy Mayor of St Petersburg, Chairman of the city Committee on Social Issues.

From 1993: President of Football Club Zenit; under his leadership the team moved into the Russian football elite. In 1999, it won the Russia Cup and in 2002 won bronze at the Russian football championship.

The Russian Football Premier League (RFPL) was organised in 2001 at the initiative of Mutko, who is a member of the Executive Committee of the Russian Football Union, President of the Russian Football Premier League and Vice President of the Football Federation of St Petersburg and North-West Russia.

2002: elected to the Executive Committee of Russia's Paralympic Committee. For the past 13 years, Mutko has been the volunteer chairman of St Petersburg's Special Olympic Committee for the rehabilitation of people with mental disabilities. For 10 years he has chaired the Golden Pelican charity movement.

2003: appointed member of the Federation Council of Russia's Federal Assembly, representing the St Petersburg Government.

2008: appointed the Russian Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy.

May 21, 2012: Reappointed Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation by a presidential decree.

Married, with two daughters.