Ispo show 3-5th November, new set up explained

By combining ISPO’s heritage with our community-driven approach, we are creating an event that not only reflects the future of sport and the outdoors, but actively shapes it. For too long, ISPO has been led by the head and lost some of its heart. We’re rebalancing that—making smart, strategic choices while restoring the passion, purpose and community that made it great. The industry needs a platform that unites voices, protects the places we play, and inspires the next generation of brands, leaders and businesses. That’s exactly what we intend to deliver.

Please could we have a brief history of the new ISPO owners

Raccoon Media Group 

Raccoon Media Group is a dynamic, high-growth media business dedicated to serving passion-led communities across both B2C and B2B markets worldwide. Through its impactful events and media properties, Raccoon delivers year-round content, education and growth and networking opportunities to specialist, self-identifying audiences. Founded in 2018 the company has rapidly expanded its portfolio across health, wellbeing and specialist passion-led markets. Entrepreneurial and disruptive, Raccoon challenges the status quo, invests in exceptional people and creates sustainable events that foster industry growth and meaningful connections

and an update on Messe München

As one of the world’s leading trade fair organisers, Messe München showcases the world of tomorrow at around 90 trade fairs worldwide. These include twelve leading global trade fairs such as bauma, BAU, IFAT, and electronica. The portfolio covers trade fairs for investment and consumer goods as well as for new technologies. Together with its 1,300 employees in the group and its subsidiaries, it organizes trade fairs in China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the USA. With an international network of subsidiaries and foreign representatives, Messe München is active worldwide. More than 150 events each year attract around 50,000 exhibitors and approximately three million visitors domestically and abroad. This makes Messe München a key economic driver, generating purchasing power effects worth billions.

Please can we have an overview of the show

ISPO 2026 will occupy eight halls at the RAI, covering approximately 45,000 sqm, affording Raccoon Media Group and Messe München the opportunity to reimagine the show on many levels. It will be more than a trade show: ISPO will evolve into an immersive, inspiring and vibrant experience featuring a plethora of activations across the show floor:

What activations are planned?

With over 20 activations planned across the show floor, ISPO 2026 will deliver an engaging and interactive environment designed to inspire and connect.

Please tell us about the C-Suite Leader’s Summit in Day 1, 3rd November 

A stand-alone, separately ticketed event: day 1 kicks off with a new initiative for ISPO -  the summit for C-suite executives and influential leaders. A day that will see ISPO bring together key opinion formers to shape and drive the narrative around the most pertinent topics on everyone’s minds within the sports and outdoor industry; centred on three unifying pillars; Participation, Sustainability and Fair Trade. The Summit provides a space that will see industry experts speak openly about the challenges and shifts that aren’t always visible on a show floor.

The line up reads like a who’s who of the most pivotal names in the industry with speakers including: Andy Rubin (Deputy Chair, Pentland Group) a leading voice in global sporting goods, bringing deep experience in brand building, governance and industry collaboration.

Tom Foley (CEO, Intersport International Corporation) who steers one of the world’s largest retail networks through global shifts in consumer behaviour and omnichannel strategy.

Hap Klopp (Founder, The North Face) entrepreneur, advisor and educator whose legacy continues to influence modern outdoor thinking.

John Lacy (CEO, Burton Snowboards) who has guided one of the most influential brands in snow sports through cultural and industry change.

Céline Del Genes (Global Chief Customer Officer, Decathlon & Global Game Shapers) who has been shaping Decathlon’s evolution into a global sports brand through customer-centric transformation and creative direction.

And a breakdown of each of the halls as ISPO opens its doors: Day 2 & 3 (4th-5th November) 

The 4th and 5th November will see ISPO 2026 open its doors to over 25,000 of the sports and outdoors key industry experts over two days.

The exhibition floor will be a hive of activity with ISPO providing an immersive experience across three main show zones, designed and curated to enhance engagement and foster connections.

Early exhibitor confirmations already point to a diverse and increasingly international show floor as over the coming weeks ISPO is set to announce a wealth of new global brands as the ISPO line up continues to grow. Standalone exhibitor halls will be dedicated to specific areas, with Hall 1 focusing on Outdoor (featuring hike, climb, ski, snow, camping and water), Hall 2 on fitness, e-commerce and retail solutions and Hall 3 on sports and cycling.

Alongside the growing exhibitor list, there will be a series of national and industry pavilions bringing together leading manufacturers, innovators and emerging talent from around the world with country specific pavilions from Portugal, Spain and China to name a few.

Two further halls will be dedicated to sourcing, so for delegates focused on product development and procurement needs, the global OEM, OED and ingredient exhibitors will be able to help drive forward manufacturing capabilities.

Whilst textiles and garment manufacturers will have a dedicated hall featuring a fashion and textiles hub, that will explore key areas of fashion and garment design including current and emerging trends, key brand strategies and insightful case studies.

Sustainability remains a key mission of the industry and Hall 6 will showcase the movers and shakers within this space, with delegates able to help drive circularity in the Swap Shop and explore the latest performance fabrics in the materials lab.

Finally, Hall 12 plays host to the International Running Expo, Europe’s only dedicated B2B event for the running industry, bringing together high-level industry professionals to showcase the latest product launches, technology, trends and innovations.

Cross pollination with two shows side by side: IPSO 2026 will be co-located with the International Running Expo, Europe’s only dedicated B2B running-industry show, which itself launched in Amsterdam in 2025. Whilst each event maintains its own dedicated hall, exhibitors and attendees in both shows will have unrestricted access across the venues, and strengthening ROI for brands keen to reach both traditional sporting goods markets and running-specific audiences.

So why should retailers, brand owners, athletes and influencers, Industry Professionals  and buyers attend?

Retailers:

Over 250+ retailers have already confirmed their attendance at ISPO 2026. Intersport was the first major retailer to confirm their attendance back in 2025 and since then, a number of global leaders in the retail sector such as Blacks, Intersport, Amazon, Ellis Brigham and Millets have followed suit. Sports retail is evolving rapidly, just like its consumers. New target groups, emerging brands, rising demand for sustainability and constant technological advances are reshaping the playing field. In such a fast-moving environment, staying competitive means staying informed, inspired, and connected.

ISPO aims to provide a platform that does just that; source for the season ahead with hundreds of new product launches, discover new challenger brands to excite customers, keep ahead of demand by learning about future trends, test and trial the latest equipment by joining brand-led activations and find new commerce and retail business tech and solutions all under one roof!

Brand Exhibitors: 

Over 450+ exhibitors are already on the roster for ISPO 2026, with global brands such as Rab, Reebok accessories (via Joumma Bags), Skechers Running, Scott, Gymstick, and Nordberg having already confirmed their attendance, demonstrating their desire to be at the heart of the industry’s coming together and their committed belief in ISPO’s renewed positioning as the industry’s essential and must have meeting point.

Alongside market leaders, challenger brands have been actively shaking up the industry conventions through bold, disruptive strategies and ISPO 2026 will see many bring that dynamism to Amsterdam RAI. With a key focus on sustainability, specialized technical gear, and community-driven, versatile products, innovators including brands like Sumarpo (triathlon), Restube (water safety), and Tanboer (activewear), along with curated start-ups in the BrandNew Launchpad will all be showcasing all they have to offer.

Product designers and developers will be able to source the latest ingredients for future product development, connect with elite athletes, brands and industry trailblazers to research the market, gain insights on the trends that are shaping the future of the industry, network and build connections with suppliers on a global level whilst also checking out what other brands are doing and the products they are releasing to market.

“Exhibiting at ISPO 2026, means your brand gains unparalleled visibility among the world’s leading buyers, retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and media. We want brands taking centre stage at this global industry gathering, rather than watching from the side lines” said Soraya Gadelrab, Joint Managing Director for ISPO

Buyers 

The Hosted Buyer lounge will provide an exclusive space for hosted buyers to relax, connect, and prepare between meetings. Enjoy a comfortable setting designed for focused conversations, networking, and downtime on the show floor.

Athletes and Influencers: 

Athletes and influencers will be able to access brand-new equipment that is yet to hit the market, meet with potential new sponsors and generate new brand deals, take part in activations and create content. ISPO 2026 will be a place to ultimately increase your brand awareness and professional network whilst learning from industry icons and help shape the future of the industry.

Industry Professionals:

ISPO 2026 will open up the endless possibility to schedule meetings with a plethora of global retailers, distributors and potential partners whilst simultaneously networking with existing and new connections. The opportunity to have a year’s worth of conversations in just two days will prove invaluable as ISPO  strives to provide a landscape dedicated to discovering the latest trends, gear and tech, and connect with influencers who can grow business profiles.

Why was Amsterdam chosen as the location?

The move to Amsterdam and the date change are strategic choices by event organisers Raccoon Media Group and their partners Messe München to expand ISPO’s reach globally:

North American Retailers & Brands: The improved accessibility and earlier date make attendance more practical and valuable. Asian markets: Better connectivity increases the show’s appeal in fast-growing regions of demand.  European Headquarters: Many major brands already have a presence in or near the Netherlands — placing ISPO physically and strategically closer to decision makers. Retailers previously constrained: For businesses that struggled with late-November/December timing, the new date opens opportunity.

“The move to Amsterdam will improve global accessibility”, says Mike Seaman. “Schiphol is one of Europe’s most connected airports and with the North American, Middle Eastern or Canadian markets high on our priorities to reengage with ISPO, Amsterdam is an accessible bridge. The timing shift to early November is also a deliberate choice to align with global buying cycles and avoid the US Thanksgiving period.”

“In addition, many leading outdoor and sporting brands have operations or HQs within or near the Netherlands. Hosting ISPO in a city already deeply embedded in the fabric of the industry places the event physically and strategically closer to decision-makers.”

“When we looked to move the date of ISPO to earlier in November we quickly realised that we would need to do this in a new venue due to availability. As we started to research options, we began exploratory conversations with the RAI and it quickly became apparent that Amsterdam offers everything the new era of ISPO needs.”

Maurits van der Sluis, COO RAI Amsterdam said,  “We are proud that ISPO has chosen Amsterdam and RAI Amsterdam for its new chapter. Our venue not only offers the space and flexibility to host an event of this scale and ambition, but also provides an inspiring environment where brands, retailers, and innovators can connect. Amsterdam is a city that breathes sport, sustainability, and international connectivity – exactly the values ISPO aims to represent. Together, we are creating a platform that drives the industry forward and gives visitors an experience that goes beyond a traditional trade show.”

Situated in a globally connected hub and home to many leading brand headquarters, Amsterdam also strengthens ties with the North American market, supporting renewed engagement from US-based associations and brands – reaffirming ISPO’s position as the global gathering place for the sports and outdoor community.

Way makes the new dates so attractive?

From 2026, ISPO will enter a new chapter with a refined strategic concept, taking place on an earlier dateline, 3–5 November, at the RAI, Amsterdam. The new concept addresses the cost base to make attendance more affordable, aligns the event with global buying cycles, and ensures accessibility for a broader international audience by avoiding key public holidays including Thanks Giving.

 Please explain how visitor pricing will work

Tickets for ISPO 2026 – the leading global trade fair for the sport, winter and outdoor industry – have officially gone on sale today, 31st March, via the ISPO box office. 3,000 early-bird Expo tickets are now available at €29, offering full access to the two-day exhibition (4 -5 November). Tickets to the ISPO Leaders’ Summit (3 November) are also available for C-suite level professionals at the early-bird rate of €495 (limited to the first 200 tickets).

Following this initial release, Expo ticket prices will increase to €59 for a limited second phase before reaching the full ticket price of €99. This introductory ticket price is a deliberate step based on long-standing feedback to make ISPO more cost-effective and accessible. It forms part of a wider strategic shift to align the event with global buying cycles, reduce barriers to entry and broaden participation across international markets. Buyers can also apply to be ‘hosted’ as part of the event’s €1million investment in a full-service Hosted Buyer Programme now.