The sports business industry continues to evolve rapidly, shaped by innovation, new commercial models, digital transformation, and the increasing globalisation of sport.
For professionals looking to expand their networks, accelerate their careers, or stay ahead of emerging trends, attending the right events remains essential. The first half of 2026 offers a strong lineup of international conferences, summits, innovation forums, and career-focused events across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Note that We Work In Sport Community members will have special discounts to many of them. To join the community for free, go to weworkinsport.com.
Below is our curated selection of the must-attend sports business events from January to June 2026.
Major Sports Business Events — First Semester 2026
| Name of Event | Start Date | End Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports ETA Chief Executive Summit | 26-01-2026 | 28-01-2026 | Columbus, USA |
| SPOBIS Conference | 04-02-2026 | 05-02-2026 | Hamburg, Germany |
| Football Access Summit | 06-02-2026 | 07-02-2026 | Cairo, Egypt |
| SBJ National Sports Forum (NSF) | 22-02-2026 | 24-02-2026 | St. Louis, USA |
| FT Business of Football Summit | 25-02-2026 | 26-02-2026 | London, UK |
| Careers in Sport LIVE — Birmingham | 27-02-2026 | 27-02-2026 | Birmingham, UK |
| Sports Tomorrow Congress | 02-03-2026 | 02-03-2026 | Barcelona, Spain |
| Careers in Sport LIVE — Leeds | 06-03-2026 | 06-03-2026 | Leeds, UK |
| MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference | 06-03-2026 | 07-03-2026 | Boston, USA |
| SportsPro New York | 12-03-2026 | 13-03-2026 | New York, USA |
| TEAMS Europe | 17-03-2026 | 19-03-2026 | Sutton Coldfield, UK |
| Careers in Sport LIVE — London | 19-03-2026 | 19-03-2026 | London, UK |
| SPORTEL Singapore | 24-03-2026 | 25-03-2026 | Singapore |
| Coliseum Summit Europe | 24-03-2026 | 25-03-2026 | London, UK |
| International Sports Convention (ISC) | 25-03-2026 | 26-03-2026 | London, UK |
| The Business of Soccer | 25-03-2026 | 26-03-2026 | Atlanta, USA |
| CAA World Congress of Sports | 14-04-2026 | 16-04-2026 | Los Angeles, USA |
| PEAK Conference | 20-04-2026 | 22-04-2026 | Las Vegas, USA |
| Sports ETA Symposium | 20-04-2026 | 23-04-2026 | Las Vegas, USA |
| SportsPro Live London | 29-04-2026 | 30-04-2026 | London, UK |
| The SPOT | 04-05-2026 | 05-05-2026 | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Soccerex Europe | 11-05-2026 | 13-05-2026 | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| SportAccord Convention | 24-05-2026 | 28-05-2026 | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| ISC Social Media & Digital Summit | 02-06-2026 | 02-06-2026 | Location TBC |
| World Football Summit — Mexico | Early June 2026 | TBC | Mexico City, Mexico |
| SEAT Conference | 28-06-2026 | 30-06-2026 | Charlotte, USA |
| Hosts & Federations Summit | 29-06-2026 | 01-07-2026 | Lausanne, Switzerland |
Events' details
- January 2026
Sports ETA Chief Executive Summit
What they say:
A leadership-focused summit bringing together senior executives from the sports events and tourism industry to discuss strategy, governance, economic impact, and the future of sports destinations.
Dates: 26–28 January 2026
Location: Columbus, USA
Format: Executive-level summit with keynote sessions, panels, and closed-door networking
Website: https://www.sportseta.org/events/chief-executive-summit
- February 2026
SPOBIS Conference 2026
What they say:
One of Europe’s largest sports business conferences, SPOBIS brings together decision-makers from sport, media, technology, and business to discuss innovation, digital transformation, and commercial growth.
Dates: 4–5 February 2026
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Format: Large-scale conference with keynote speakers, panels, exhibitions, and networking
Website: https://www.spobis.com
Football Access Summit
What they say:
A global football industry platform connecting clubs, leagues, federations, investors, and service providers to explore business opportunities, partnerships, and the future of football.
iWorkinSport has partnered with the Football Access Summit to organise its first regional job fair as part of the main event. To apply to have job interviews at the event, follow this link.
Dates: 6–7 February 2026
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Format: Football business summit with conferences, networking sessions, and B2B meetings
Website: https://footballaccesssummit.net
SBJ National Sports Forum (NSF)
What they say:
The National Sports Forum brings together senior executives from professional sports, collegiate athletics, media, and sponsorship to discuss leadership, strategy, and the business of sport.
Dates: 22–24 February 2026
Location: St. Louis, USA
Format: High-level conference and networking forum
Website: https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Events/2026/NSF.aspx
FT Business of Football Summit
What they say:
The Financial Times’ Business of Football Summit brings together senior leaders from football clubs, leagues, investment funds, media, and advisory firms to discuss the financial, strategic, and regulatory challenges shaping the game.
Dates: 25–26 February 2026
Location: London, UK
Format: High-level conference with keynote interviews, panels, and executive networking
Website: https://businessoffootball.live.ft.com/
The Business of Soccer 2026
What they say:
The Business of Soccer focuses on the commercial, strategic, and operational aspects of football, bringing together executives from clubs, leagues, media, and service providers.
Dates: 25–26 March 2026
Location: Atlanta, USA
Format: Football business conference with panels and industry networking
Website: https://www.the-business-of-soccer.com/2026/
Careers in Sport LIVE — Birmingham
What they say:
A careers-focused event designed to connect students and early-career professionals with sports organisations, recruiters, and industry experts.
Dates: 27 February 2026
Location: Birmingham, UK
Format: Careers fair with panels, workshops, employer stands, and networking
Website: https://careers-in-sport-live.com
- March 2026
Sports Tomorrow Congress
What they say:
Sports Tomorrow Congress is a global event focused on the intersection of sport, innovation, technology, and sustainability, organised by FC Barcelona’s Barça Innovation Hub.
Dates: 2 March 2026
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Format: Innovation-focused conference with keynote talks, panels, and tech-driven case studies
Website: https://sportstomorrow.fcbarcelona.com/
Careers in Sport LIVE — Leeds
What they say:
An interactive careers event offering practical advice, employer access, and insights into working in the sports industry.
Dates: 6 March 2026
Location: Leeds, UK
Format: Careers fair and educational event
Website: https://careers-in-sport-live.com
MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (SSAC)
What they say:
A leading event at the intersection of sport, data, and analytics, bringing together professionals from teams, leagues, media, technology, and academia.
Dates: 6–7 March 2026
Location: Boston, USA
Format: Conference with presentations, panels, research showcases, and networking
Website: https://www.sloansportsconference.com
SportsPro New York
What they say:
An international sports business event focused on media, technology, fan engagement, and commercial strategy in the global sports ecosystem.
Dates: 12–13 March 2026
Location: New York, USA
Format: Conference and networking event
Website: https://www.sportspro.com/events/sportspro-new-york
TEAMS Europe 2026
What they say:
TEAMS Europe is not just another industry gathering – it is a highly curated business marketplace designed to ensure that every participant’s objectives are met. Every hosted buyer is carefully matched with supplier partners in pre-scheduled, 1-to-1 business appointments designed to drive new business and build meaningful, lasting partnerships.
Dates: 17–19 March 2026
Location: The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Sutton Coldfield, UK
Format: Hosted-buyer marketplace with pre-scheduled one-to-one business meetings
Website: https://www.teamseurope.com/
Careers in Sport LIVE — London
What they say:
A flagship UK careers event bringing together sports organisations, employers, and aspiring professionals in one of the country’s major sporting venues.
Dates: 19 March 2026
Location: London, UK
Format: Careers fair with talks, panels, and networking
Website: https://careers-in-sport-live.com
SPORTEL Singapore
What they say:
An international convention connecting rights holders, broadcasters, digital platforms, and technology providers, with a strong focus on media rights and content distribution.
Dates: 24–25 March 2026
Location: Singapore
Format: Trade show and conference with B2B meetings
Website: https://www.sportelasia.com
Coliseum Summit Europe
What they say:
The Coliseum Summit connects decision-makers involved in the planning, development, and operation of major sports venues and events.
Dates: 24-25 March 2026
Location: London, UK
Format: Executive-level conference focused on venues, infrastructure, and mega-events
Website: https://www.coliseum-online.com/europe-coliseum-summit-2026
International Sports Convention (ISC)
What they say:
A global sports business event covering sponsorship, digital, integrity, events, and commercial growth across multiple sports.
Dates: 25–26 March 2026
Location: London, UK
Format: Conference and exhibition with networking opportunities
Website: https://internationalsportsconvention.com
- April 2026
CAA World Congress of Sports
What they say:
One of the longest-running sports business conferences, bringing together leaders from leagues, brands, agencies, media, and rights holders.
Dates: 14–16 April 2026
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Format: Executive-level conference and networking forum
Website: https://www.worldcongressofsports.com
PEAK Conference
What they say:
A premier event focused on innovation, technology, and investment in sport, connecting startups, investors, executives, and entrepreneurs.
Dates: 20–22 April 2026
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Format: Innovation-focused conference with networking and deal-making opportunities
Website: https://peakconf.com
Sports ETA Symposium
What they say:
The annual gathering for sports event and tourism professionals, focused on destination strategy, event hosting, and economic impact.
Dates: 20–23 April 2026
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Format: Conference and professional symposium
Website: https://www.sportseta.org/events/symposium
SportsPro Live London
What they say:
SportsPro’s flagship European event, bringing together senior leaders to discuss strategy, innovation, and the future of sport, media, and technology.
Dates: 29–30 April 2026
Location: London, UK
Format: Conference and high-level networking event
Website: https://www.sportspro.com/events/sportspro-live-london
- May 2026
The SPOT
What they say:
The SPOT is an innovation-driven summit bringing together startups, investors, rights holders, and industry leaders to explore new ideas and business opportunities in sport.
Dates: 4-5 May 2026
Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Format: Innovation summit with pitches, panels, and networking
Website: https://thespot.ch
Soccerex Europe
What they say:
A global football business event connecting clubs, leagues, federations, and service providers to explore commercial opportunities and partnerships.
Dates: 11–13 May 2026
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Format: Football business conference and exhibition
Website: https://soccerex.com
SportAccord Convention
What they say:
SportAccord is the world’s leading global sports industry gathering, bringing together international sports federations, Olympic movement stakeholders, host cities, organisers, and commercial partners to shape the future of global sport.
Dates: 24–28 May 2026
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
Format: Global multi-day convention combining conferences, panel discussions, association meetings, exhibitions, and high-level networking
Website: https://www.sportaccord.sport
- June 2026
ISC Social Media & Digital Summit
What they say:
A dedicated event focused on digital strategy, content creation, social media, and fan engagement in sport.
Dates: 2 June 2026
Location: TBC
Format: One-day conference and workshop-style summit
Website: https://internationalsportsconvention.com
World Football Summit — Mexico
What they say:
Part of the World Football Summit global series, bringing together football industry leaders to discuss the business, governance, and future of the game.
Dates: Early June 2026
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Format: Football business summit with conferences and networking
Website: https://worldfootballsummit.com
Hosts & Federations Summit 2026
What they say:
The Hosts & Federations Summit is the flagship annual gathering that unites international federations, sports rights holders, host cities, regions, and expert suppliers to collaborate, explore new partnerships, and shape the future of major sport events and hosting strategies.
Dates: 29 June – 1 July 2026
Location: Olympic Museum, Lausanne, Switzerland
Format: Multi-day summit featuring curated networking, panel discussions, pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings, workshops, and high-level strategic sessions tailored for rights holders, host cities, and industry suppliers.