{"id":4533,"date":"2023-09-15T12:53:45","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T11:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportaccord.sport\/2026-conv\/?page_id=4533"},"modified":"2025-09-11T15:24:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T13:24:31","slug":"about-sportaccord-convention","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sportaccord.sport\/2026-conv\/about-sportaccord-convention\/","title":{"rendered":"SportAccord Convention"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row el_class=”lead”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The SportAccord Convention brings together more than 1,700 leaders and key decision makers from over 120 International Federations (IFs), the International Olympic Committee, and organisations involved in the business of sport.<\/p>\n

The Convention provides an unrivalled platform enabling global business leaders and host cities to have access to all the International Federations and their stakeholders in one location over several days.<\/p>\n

This unique event is a combination of official sports meetings, networking gatherings, a themed conference programme, and exhibition space enabling International Federations, industry, cities and regions to showcase and advance their sport, services and facilities.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0SportAccord Convention 2026<\/strong>\u00a0will take place in\u00a0Baku, Azerbaijan, from 24-28 May 2026<\/strong>. The Baku Convention Center will serve as the hub for cutting-edge panel debates, meetings, exhibitions and networking, while the iconic Heydar Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid will host the Opening Ceremony, blending Baku\u2019s modern architecture with its rich cultural heritage.<\/p>\n

Baku is a city which lives and breathes sport, and its renowned expertise in hosting international gatherings provides a perfect setting for the latest chapter in SportAccord\u2019s illustrious history. Its role as Host City is further underlined by its designation as World Capital of Sport 2026 by ACES Europe, recognising its achievements in staging international competitions and investing in modern infrastructure.<\/p>\n

The vibrant capital of Azerbaijan is situated on the Caspian Sea, and enjoys a rich history fused with striking modern architecture which comprises its impressive cityscape. Baku proudly hosted the inaugural European Games in 2015, and has staged World Championships and European Championships across multiple sports, along with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Formula One since 2017.<\/p>\n

For enquiries about partnership or exhibition opportunities, please contact:\u00a0sales@sportaccord.sport.<\/a><\/p>\n

The 2024 edition<\/strong><\/a> of the Convention took place in Birmingham, West Midland and gathered more than 1,700 attendees from 65 different countries for five days of networking and a packed agenda of high-level meetings, conferences, exhibitions, networking, and social events at the International Convention Centre.<\/p>\n

High-calibre participants in the conference programme included Olympic champions and leading industry figures such as Epic Games Vice President and Co-Founder Mark Rein; UK Sport Chair Dame Katherine Grainger; Olympic Broadcasting Services CEO Yannis Exarchos; Rob Alberino, Vice-President of Content and Production, Kansas City Chiefs; Wayne Barnes,\u00a0 Former Rugby World Cup referee and many more.<\/p>\n

Topics of discussion and debate ranged from sustainability, innovative technology, fan engagement and new event models to governance, esports and athlete wellbeing.<\/p>\n

Important items during the official meetings included the election of the next Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) President Ingmar De Vos, and presentations from the Organising Committee for Milano Cortina 2026.<\/p>\n

For any queries about future hosting of SportAccord, please visit our dedicated page<\/a> or send us an email at hostcity@sportaccord.sport<\/a><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Hjaa-7HcJJc&t=43s”][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/6″][vc_btn title=”PREVIOUS EDITIONS” shape=”square” color=”warning” size=”lg” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportaccord.sport%2Fpast-events%2F|target:_blank”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/6″][vc_btn title=”HALL OF FAME” shape=”square” color=”warning” size=”lg” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportaccord.sport%2Fpast-speakers%2F|target:_blank”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” el_class=”triangle-bg-2″][vc_row][vc_column][sa_latest_news_teasers sa_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost\/sportaccord%2Fwsbs-2022%2Fnews%2F|title:More%20News…” sa_title=”Latest News”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][sa_title sa_title_align=”text-center” sa_title_colour=”text-blue” sa_title_text=”Gallery”]