Olympic Legend Allyson Felix to Headline as ISPO 2026 Charges Ahead with €1M Content Programme and Massive Interactive Expo

Momentum is building rapidly for ISPO 2026 as the global sports and outdoor industry prepares to converge on RAI Amsterdam this November. Event organizers have reported a surge in demand, with the show floor filling up fast and super early-bird visitor tickets nearly sold out.

With ticket prices scheduled to increase in exactly one month, industry professionals are being urged to lock in their passes now to secure the best possible rates.

High-Profile Leaders Summit Backed by €1 Million Investment

The crown jewel of this year's event is the exclusive ISPO Leaders Summit, taking place on 3 November. Serving as a curated, vetted gathering for senior C-suite professionals, the Summit will look to shape the future of the global sports and outdoor sector.

Headlining the Summit is track and field icon Allyson Felix. As the most decorated athlete in sporting history, Felix will share critical insights spanning her competitive career, her entrepreneurial ventures, and her fierce advocacy for women in sport. Her appearance forms part of ISPO’s massive €1 million investment into delivering a world-class, future-defining content programme.

Felix is joined on the high-profile speaker lineup by a diverse cohort of global industry experts, including:

• Ruth Ryan – Executive and Leadership Coach

• Charles Ross – Subject Lead for Performance Sportswear Design at the Royal College of Art

• Louisa Smith – International Textile Trend Consultant at Louisa Smith Fashion

• Adam Jaber – Founder & Co-Owner of Out of Collecting / Colorado Ski Shop

• Achim Loeffler – Global Business Leader at W.L. GORE & Associates

• Laura Youngson – CEO of IDA Sports

A Reimagined, High-Energy Expo Floor

Following the Summit, the main ISPO Expo will run from 4–5 November alongside The International Running Expo. Moving far beyond the constraints of a traditional trade show, the 2026 edition promises an immersive, high-energy environment featuring live sport activations, snow ramps, climbing walls, virtual reality (VR) experiences, and hands-on product testing.

The exhibitor list has already surpassed 300 leading brands, with over 2,000 exhibitors expected in total. Major names already confirmed include Fabletics, Rab, Bergans of Norway, Bridgedale, Hestra Gloves, Icebug, Mac In A Sac, Reebok Accessories, SAXX, and Karrimor.

Nurturing New Talent: The BrandNew Village

For emerging start-ups and scale-ups, ISPO has introduced the ISPO BrandNew Village. This curated zone offers up-and-coming brands an affordable, all-in professional stand setup, shielding them from direct competition with major exhibitors. Participating start-ups will receive direct exposure to retail buyers, distributors, and investors, alongside dedicated promotional support, app exposure, and expert-led webinars on scaling and investment.

Launching the €1 Million Impact Foundation and Refreshed Awards

Demonstrating a commitment to the broader global community, ISPO has announced the launch of the ISPO Impact Foundation. Backed by an annual €1 million grant fund, this independent initiative is designed to drive positive global change by supporting projects focused on protecting natural environments and fostering active, inclusive communities. Applications for the grant open on 1 June.

Additionally, the prestigious ISPO Awards programme is returning with a refreshed format built across three distinct pillars:

• ISPO Excellence Awards: Spotlighting standout products and achievements.

• ISPO BrandNew Awards: Honoring emerging start-ups.

• ISPO TexTrends Awards: Recognizing cutting-edge material innovation.

Serving as a global benchmark for retailers, media, and investors to identify next-generation trends, entries for the awards programme will officially open on 1 July.

With a bold combination of business networking, elite thought leadership, and interactive experience, ISPO 2026 is positioning itself as the unmissable autumn anchor for the international sports industry.