Trade shows have a reputation. Lanyards. Back-to-back meetings. A coffee you never quite finish because someone's pulling you towards the next stand. And yes, ISPO Amsterdam (3–5 November 2026) is still the place where the sports, outdoor and winter industries meet to do business.
But that's only half the story.
Look beyond the meaningful meetings and there's a plethora of extra things to discover: content worth stopping for, activations worth getting sweaty for, and a party worth staying out for. Here’s your guide.
Athlete, Influencer & Creator Programme
Powered by Fabletics, the Athlete, Influencer & Creator Programme brings together creators and inspiring names from across the sporting world. Accepted applicants get a free ticket, their own Influencers & Athletes Lounge, a guided tour of the show floor, and invite-only networking with the rest of the line-up before doors even open.
There's real substance in it too: brand content collabs, on-site creation sessions, and a curated goodie bag. Then it all winds up with an influencer brunch and access to the ISPO x IRX afterparty. If content is your job (or your passion project), this is where you'll find your people.
The content programme
This isn't a token seminar tent in the corner. ISPO has put €1 million into content for 2026, spread across six stages and more than 60 sessions. Expect sharp, future-facing conversations on everything from innovation and sustainability to retail and participation, led by voices who shape the industry rather than just talk about it.
A few of the stages worth circling in your programme:
- The Ingredients & Components Forum – for anyone who wants to know what's really going into the next generation of gear, from materials to manufacturing.
- The Brands & Retail horizons Stage – where the conversation turns to real-world insight for brands and retailers looking to scale smarter and faster
- The Fashion & Textiles Hub – sport and style colliding, with the trends about to land on shop floors everywhere.
New for 2026, there's also a podcast studio right on the exhibition floor: a fully soundproofed glass box where leading podcasters record live, 30–45-minute conversations with industry specialists. Wander over, pop on a pair of wireless headphones, and listen in without ever breaking the flow of the show around you.
Activations
Looking to get involved? ISPO's activation line-up is where you go to actually do something. Tackle a climbing wall at Peak Challenge or step into skills.lab Cube for a full 360° football experience. Racket sport fans will love testing out the latest gear in the ISPO Padel Village, snowboarders and freeskiers get street-style rail action from Snowfest, and if you just fancy a silent disco meets run, you can Follow the Beat through the streets of Amsterdam.
The ISPO Leaders Summit
Held the day before the Expo (Tuesday 3 November), the ISPO Leaders Summit is a separate, exclusive gathering for c-suite and senior decision-makers from across outdoor, winter sports and sporting goods. One day, three big conversations: participation, sustainability and fair trade. Deliberately kept apart from the expo floor so the focus stays firmly on strategy rather than footfall.
If you're the person setting direction rather than following it, this is the room to be in.
Hosted Buyer Programme
For retail decision-makers, brand innovation teams and selected distributors, the Hosted Buyer Programme is for you. Think reimbursed travel and accommodation, complimentary entry to ISPO and The International Running Expo, a dedicated retailer lounge, and even a ticket to the After Party thrown in. In return, ISPO asks for two full days on-site and a minimum of six pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings a day with exhibitors.
So yes, there are meetings in this one. But everything around them is designed to make the trip worth it.
Awards
Three programmes, one ceremony, and a genuine benchmark for what's shaping the industry. ISPO Excellence celebrates standout products and services, ISPO BrandNew is the launchpad for emerging brands and start-ups, and ISPO Textrends shines a light on innovation in fabrics, membranes and materials. Winners are announced at the After Party (more on that shortly), and if last year's list is anything to go by expect some clever engineering on show.
The After Party
On the evening of 4 November, ISPO takes over Escape Nightclub in central Amsterdam from 8pm to midnight, split across four distinct areas: quiet corners for the conversations that actually matter, a space to celebrate the Award winners, and two dance floors with different DJs to close out the night. Tickets are limited and go to registered visitors and exhibitors first come, first served, so don't leave it too late.
Meetings will always be part of what makes ISPO valuable. But between the stages, the activations, the Summit and the party, there's a whole show built for the moments in between. See you there.