{"id":6377,"date":"2025-12-16T10:58:57","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T09:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportaccord.sport\/2026-conv\/?p=6377"},"modified":"2025-12-16T11:00:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T10:00:06","slug":"sportaccord-2025-in-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportaccord.sport\/2026-conv\/sportaccord-2025-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"SportAccord – 2025 in review"},"content":{"rendered":"

A year of focus and preparation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2025 was a significant year for SportAccord, one that helped define our priorities and shape the path ahead. The work undertaken over the past months has strengthened our position and set clear direction for what comes next.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Baku confirmed as Host City for 2026<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the year\u2019s most important milestones\u00a0<\/span>was the confirmation of Baku, Azerbaijan as the Host City of the SportAccord Convention 2026<\/a>. The city brings a compelling blend of cultural depth, modern\u00a0infrastructure\u00a0and a recognised ambition to position itself on the world stage of sport. Beyond major sporting events such as the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku has hosted high-level international gatherings, including ministerial meetings and global policy conferences,\u00a0demonstrating\u00a0its ability to deliver complex events with visibility and high-level participation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Registration for the SportAccord Convention 2026 opened in November, signalling the start of the journey to Baku. The immediate interest from International Federations, cities and commercial partners demonstrates\u00a0a strong appetite for what is shaping up to be a dynamic and globally connected event in a destination that blends cultural heritage with modern ambition.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IF Forum 2025<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In October, we hosted the most attended IF Forum in\u00a0SportAccord\u2019s\u00a0history, bringing more than 500 leaders from across the sport ecosystem to Lausanne. Built around the theme \u201cThe New Global Reality in Sport,\u201d the event provided\u00a0a timely\u00a0platform for reflection on the forces reshaping the sector and the decisions facing its leaders.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was also the first IF Forum attended by Kirsty Coventry in her role as IOC President, underscoring that the conversations held here resonate at the highest levels of international sport.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We would like to thank our IF Forum partners, Dawson Andrews<\/a>, Explore Edmonton<\/a>, Marsh<\/a>, Signify<\/a> and Sport Event Denmark<\/a>, for their support and contribution to the 2025 edition.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The IF Forum concluded with an IOC Sustainability Workshop at the Olympic Museum.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stakeholder engagement<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are grateful for the continued collaboration and guidance of our stakeholders throughout the year. SportAccord works closely with the umbrella organisations that\u00a0represent\u00a0the International Federations, namely ASOIF, WOF, ARISF and AIMS<\/a>, whose representatives serve on our Executive Committee. Their collective insight and engagement strengthen\u00a0SportAccord\u2019s\u00a0role as a platform for dialogue and alignment across the global sport ecosystem.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the year, SportAccord continued to\u00a0maintain\u00a0constructive engagement with the International Olympic Committee, a relationship that reinforces a shared commitment to supporting the international sport ecosystem.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New leadership for the next chapter<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Following the IF Forum, Kelly Fairweather\u00a0was appointed\u00a0Managing Director\u00a0of SportAccord, bringing experience,\u00a0strategic insight\u00a0and\u00a0a track record\u00a0recognised across international sport. His most recent role was Chief Executive Officer of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), following senior positions at the International Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping\u00a0Agency\u00a0and the International Hockey Federation. His arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter for SportAccord, defined by leadership with global standing and the mandate to guide the organisation\u2019s next phase.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am pleased to have taken on this role and to contribute to\u00a0SportAccord\u2019s\u00a0next phase. It is already clear that the IF Forum offers strong value for the International Federations, the\u00a0IOC\u00a0and the wider Olympic movement. The work ahead is to bring a renewed focus to the SportAccord Convention so it reflects the needs of today\u2019s sports landscape and continues to serve IFs, cities, event hosts, commercial\u00a0partners\u00a0and everyone involved in the business of sport.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

LOOKING AHEAD<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2026 marks the start of a new chapter for SportAccord, one shaped by renewed leadership and a sharper strategic direction. It will be a year of connection,\u00a0dialogue\u00a0and delivery with two key gatherings anchoring the global sport calendar.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key dates for 2026<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The SportAccord Convention will take place in Baku from 24\u201328 May 2026, followed by the\u00a020<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0edition of the\u00a0IF Forum in Lausanne from 5\u20137 October 2026.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

REGISTER NOW<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Early Bird registration for the SportAccord Convention 2026 in Baku is now open at a preferential rate of CHF 1,500 until 31 January 2026.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thereafter, the registration fees will apply as follows:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n