ISPO has secured another participation ahead of its return in 2026, with the umbrella organisation of SPORT 2000, SPORT 2000 Group International. Sport 2000 Group International is confirming its attendance at the reimagined trade fair in Amsterdam this November. The announcement secures the presence of one of Europe’s best-known retail organisations and secures participation in the new direction for the global event which is being delivered by Raccoon Media Group in partnership with Messe München.
ISPO 2026 will host a dedicated Sport 2000 International Members Lounge at the RAI Amsterdam, bringing together Sport 2000 International global business partners and specifiers as part of the €1m expansion into a global hosted programme.
“ISPO has long been an important meeting point for the global sports business industry, and we’re excited to participate in its next chapter as it evolves in Amsterdam. For Sport 2000 Group International, this is an opportunity to evaluate potential and new global partnerships on international level, to support our expansion strategy within and beyond EMEA and strengthen relationships with leading brands”. Margit Gosau, CEO, Sport 2000 Group International.
Tracy Bebbington, Joint Managing Director - ISPO of Raccoon Media Group said; “Partnering with Sport 2000 Group International as a key retail group for ISPO 2026 marks step forward for both the event and the wider sports and outdoor industry. Sport 2000 Group International’s strong European presence, retailer-first approach, and dedication to empowering independent businesses make them an invaluable addition as we shape a future-focused ISPO.”
Sport 2000 Group International, headquartered in Mainhausen, Germany, is an internationally active sports retail organisation. It is the umbrella organisation of Sport 2000 and is responsible for developing the Group’s strategy, brand and formats to servicing expert retail partners globally. In the 2025 financial year, the group generated sales of €5.3 billion with 3,000 stores across 17 countries.
In its new era, ISPO is more than a traditional trade show - it’s a forward-looking hub where the sports and outdoor industry come together to anticipate the season ahead. Brands unveil their latest designs, materials, and technologies, offering an early glimpse of the trends that will soon shape the market, from performance gear to sustainability-driven innovations.
With a clear strategy and fresh vision, ISPO is well positioned to evolve alongside the needs of the global marketplace, and SPORT 2000 Group International is supporting that journey to become an important international touch point and platform for the sports industry as the industry looks ahead.
Raccoon Media Group is pleased to announce that Rab will return to exhibit at ISPO 2026, joining the growing roster of leading outdoor and performance brands that are backing the industry's flagship gathering in Amsterdam this November.
Rab, the British mountain apparel and equipment brand renowned for creating rugged, high-performance gear for mountain people, has confirmed its participation at ISPO 2026, where it will showcase its latest product innovations and connect with retailers, distributors, media and industry professionals from across the global outdoor sector. The brand will also use the platform to underline its continued focus on responsible business practices and foster industry collaboration.
Taking place in Amsterdam from 3–5 November 2026, ISPO 2026 marks Rab's return to the exhibition floor as the brand reinforces its commitment to face-to-face business, industry collaboration and the long-term value of trade events.
For Rab, exhibiting at ISPO is about more than showcasing products. The brand believes that strong trade shows play an important role in creating opportunities for meaningful business conversations, strengthening partnerships and helping the outdoor industry move forward together.
"Trade shows remain one of the few places where the entire industry can come together under one roof," said Jon Frederick, Chief Marketing Officer at Rab. “They work as an incubator for inspiration and ideas, energising the future leaders of the industry. Importantly, they also create space to address shared challenges – from environmental impact to responsible business practices – and to move forward collectively as an industry.”
Founded in 1981 by climber Rab Carrington, the company began in the attic of a small terraced house in Sheffield, where the first sleeping bags bearing his name were hand-stitched and shaped by years of mountain experience. More than four decades later, the business continues to be guided by the same principles of craftsmanship, functionality and innovation that helped establish its reputation among the climbing and mountaineering community.
Today, Rab creates high-performance clothing and equipment designed to provide protection, comfort and freedom in the mountains. The brand remains committed to producing durable, repairable products that are built to last, while continuing its journey to reduce the environmental impact of its operations and help preserve the wild places that inspire its community.
“Rab has always been a wholesale-led business, built on strong relationships with specialist retailers, industry partners and mountain communities," Frederick continued. "While digital communication plays an important role, there is still no substitute for meeting in person, seeing products first-hand and having meaningful conversations that build long-term partnerships.”
"As a global heritage outdoor brand, there is real value in exhibiting at an international event such as ISPO," Frederick added. "It allows retailers to engage directly with our collections and better understand the innovations we are introducing, while providing our team with the opportunity to strengthen relationships across markets. Ultimately, the wider outdoor community benefits from that exchange of knowledge and expertise."
Speaking on the announcement, Tracy Bebbington, Joint MD of ISPO at Raccoon Media Group, said: "Rab is one of the most respected and authentic brands in the outdoor industry, and we're delighted to welcome them back to ISPO 2026. Their commitment to supporting industry events reflects exactly the kind of collaborative mindset that helps our sector thrive. We look forward to seeing Rab engage with retailers, partners and the wider outdoor community in Amsterdam this November."
Rab joins a growing roster of international brands confirmed for ISPO 2026 as the event continues to build momentum ahead of its move to Amsterdam. Organised by Raccoon Media Group in partnership with Messe München, ISPO 2026 will bring together leading brands, retailers, distributors, athletes, media and industry professionals from across the global sports, outdoor and active lifestyle sectors.
The announcement reflects continued momentum for ISPO as it evolves its platform and experience for the global sports, fitness, outdoor and active lifestyle industry, bringing together leading brands, retailers, distributors and key decision-makers from across the sector.
With more than 850 exhibitors already confirmed and strong retailer engagement from names including INTERSPORT, Ellis Brigham, JD Outdoor, Mountain Warehouse and Amazon, ISPO 2026 is expected to welcome over 25,000 industry professionals and key opinion leaders to Amsterdam this November.
Amsterdam, 4-5 November 2026 - ISPO 2026 has launched its new Hosted Programme, a targeted initiative designed to connect senior retail decision-makers, selected distributors and brand innovation leaders with the global brands and suppliers shaping the future of sport, outdoor and active lifestyle.
Developed as part of ISPO’s evolution into a more commercially focused industry platform, the programme will facilitate high-value meetings, accelerate product discovery and create new business opportunities across the sporting goods market.
Taking place at ISPO’s inaugural Amsterdam edition, the Hosted Programme will give exhibitors direct access to qualified buyers and decision-makers responsible for purchasing, category strategy, product development and innovation.
Hosted participants will receive reimbursed travel and accommodation, exclusive networking opportunities as well as access to dedicated event facilities. In return, they will commit to a schedule of pre-arranged meetings with exhibiting brands of their choice, ensuring meaningful engagement and measurable business outcomes.
"Trade shows are at their best when they bring the right people together to do business," said Tracy Bebbington, Joint Managing Director of ISPO at Raccoon Media Group. "The Hosted Programme is designed to connect exhibitors with senior retail decision-makers, distributors and innovation leaders actively seeking new products, partnerships and growth opportunities."
The programme is strictly only open to qualified retailers, selected distributors and brand representatives with direct responsibility or influence over buying decisions, assortment planning, sourcing and product innovation.
Organised by Raccoon Media Group in partnership with Messe München, ISPO 2026 is expected to welcome more than 25,000 industry professionals and over 850 exhibitors. Major retailers already engaged with the event include Ellis Brigham, Intersport, JD Plc, EK-Retail, TitleNine, Mountain Warehouse, Back Country, Hervis, Sports Pursuit, Sportscape and Outdoor Prolink amongst others.
Applications for the ISPO Hosted Programme are now open. Places are limited and participants will be selected according to programme qualification criteria. Visit https://www.ispo.com/expo/hosted-buyer-programme to find out more.
ISPO, the leading global trade fair for the sport, winter and outdoor industries, announce that Olympic Legend Allyson Felix will join the speaker line up at the ISPO Leaders Summit on Tuesday 3rd November. This comes as part of a €3-million commitment to the development of ISPO, with €1 million specifically invested into a world-class content program with renowned experts and industry figures.
The ISPO Leaders Summit is a high level forum preceding the main expo, designed to deliver strategic insight and peer exchange to an audience of senior executives, policymakers and industry leaders from across the global sport, outdoor and winter ecosystem.
Allyson, the most decorated track and field athlete in history, with a record 20 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic Games medals, will discuss her career, the development of her female-specific footwear brand Saysh, athlete agency Always Alpha, and the stories and motivations behind each. The conversation will also include insight on her retirement and subsequent return to elite competition, as part of an aim to qualify for the 2028 Olympics in her hometown of LA.
Allyson will join Jimmy Chin (Filmmaker and Mountaineer), Celine Del Genes (Decathlon, Global Game Changers), Hap Klopp (Founder, The North Face), Professor Laura McAllister (Vice President of UEFA), Andy Rubin (Deputy Chair, Pentland Group), and Pia Heidenmark Cook (Former Group Chief Sustainability Officer Ingka/IKEA).
For 2026, ISPO relocates to the RAI Amsterdam from Munich, following the acquisition of the brand by Raccoon Media Group. This co-location means ISPO joins sister show the International Running Expo (IRX) this November, and Allyson will also speak at the B2B running show on the topic of women-centric product design.
“Allyson represents the visionary leadership we want to spotlight at the ISPO 2026 Leaders Summit, with her impact extending far beyond athletic achievement. Allyson is a powerful voice for female sports, as well as innovation and advocacy, alongside her unparalleled sporting CV. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the Summit as we bring together the future of the global sports industry” said Mike Seaman, Group CEO at Raccoon Media Group.
Felix says about joining the ISPO speaker line-up “I’m excited to share my knowledge and insights as an athlete and entrepreneur and to hear from others in the space, while making some invaluable industry connections through both ISPO and IRX.”
Raccoon Media Group is excited to announce that Fabletics will join this year’s brand roster that is gaining momentum at ISPO 2026. Fabletics will not only be exhibiting this year but will also be official partner of the Athlete & Influencer Programme which will be powered by Fabletics.
Fabletics, the global active lifestyle brand known for combining performance-driven activewear with fashion-forward design for both women and men, has confirmed its participation at ISPO 2026, where the brand will showcase its latest collections and connect with retailers, buyers, athletes, media and creators from across the global sports and active lifestyle industry.
Taking place in Amsterdam from 3–5 November 2026, ISPO 2026 marks Fabletics’ return to the event following the brand’s previous presence at ISPO 2024. As part of its expanded involvement this year, Fabletics will also partner with ISPO on the ISPO Athlete & Influencer Programme, creating new opportunities for the brand to engage directly with its ambassador and creator community in person.
The partnership reflects Fabletics’ continued investment in building meaningful connections across both wholesale and creator channels as the brand continues to expand its global presence.
“We’re incredibly excited to be part of this new chapter for ISPO and to join the event in Amsterdam,” said Mark Ralea, General Manager Fabletics Europe. “The move to Amsterdam and the fresh direction for ISPO creates an exciting opportunity for brands, athletes, creators and the wider industry to come together in a more connected and culturally relevant way. ISPO provides a fantastic platform for us to showcase the continued investment we’re making in the Fabletics brand, build strong relationships across the industry and present our latest collections and vision to the market as a whole.”
While Fabletics has built significant success through its subscription-led VIP membership model, the brand continues to see wholesale and physical retail as an important part of its long-term growth strategy, working alongside its direct-to-consumer business rather than competing with it.
Through its wholesale retail partnerships, consumers are able to purchase Fabletics products without a VIP membership, creating greater accessibility to the brand while offering retail partners a differentiated proposition within the activewear market.
“Retail gives consumers the opportunity to purchase standalone products while also allowing them to experience the quality, fit and performance of the product firsthand, something that remains incredibly important and cannot be fully replicated online,” Mark Ralea added “Our wholesale strategy is designed to complement our membership model, not compete with it. Retail partners play an important role in helping new consumers discover the brand in a more tangible and accessible way while allowing us to expand our reach across different markets and audiences.”
Sponsorship of the Athlete & Influencer Programme
As part of the ISPO Athlete & Influencer Programme, Powered by Fabletics, the brand will work closely with athletes, creators and ambassadors attending the event, further strengthening relationships with its existing global influencer community while creating opportunities to connect with new talent and partners.
“We currently work with more than 1,500 influencers in our monthly campaigns across Europe as part of #TeamFabletics but opportunities to interact with our ambassadors in person are rare,” said Daniel Klarkowski, VP Brand Communications & Partnerships for Fabletics Europe. “ISPO gives us the chance to bring that programme to life through more engaging experiences and by building a stronger emotional connection with our supporters.”
The brand also sees ISPO 2026 as an opportunity to introduce new creators and industry partners to the Fabletics experience in a face to face environment.
“Face-to-face interaction is incredibly important to us, not only because it allows people to experience the quality of the product directly, but also because it gives us the opportunity to showcase the people behind the brand and the energetic spirit of the business in a real-world environment,” Mark Ralea pointed out. “The value of in-person relationship building with retailers, buyers, creators and ambassadors was a major driver behind our decision to invest in ISPO, and we’re looking forward to meeting partners from across the industry throughout the event in Hall 1 - Stand: 1E10”
Speaking on the partnership, Soraya Gadelrab, MD of ISPO at Raccoon Media Group, said: “Fabletics is a globally recognised brand with strong relevance across fitness, fashion and lifestyle, making them an exciting addition to this year’s exhibitor line-up. We are thrilled to be partnering with them on the ISPO Athlete & Influencer Programme, Powered by Fabletics, as we continue to evolve ISPO into a more immersive and commercially relevant experience for the industry.”
Fabletics joins a growing roster of global brands confirmed for ISPO 2026, as the event continues to evolve its platform for the international sports, fitness and active lifestyle industry. Organised by Raccoon Media Group in partnership with Messe München, ISPO 2026 will bring together leading brands, retailers, distributors, athletes, influencers and industry professionals from across the sector.
The announcement reflects continued momentum for ISPO as it evolves its platform and experience for the global sports, fitness and active lifestyle industry, bringing together leading brands, retailers, distributors, athletes, influencers and industry professionals from across the sector.
With more than 850 exhibitors already confirmed and strong retailer engagement from names including INTERSPORT, Ellis Brigham, Decathlon and Amazon, ISPO 2026 is expected to welcome over 25,000 industry professionals and key opinion leaders to Amsterdam this November.