The National Outdoor Expo will return in 2027 with a redesigned format shaped around four defining elements: the activities people take part in, the equipment they rely on, the skills they develop and the environments they experience.
This approach places disciplines, retail, practical learning and live participation at the centre of the show, creating a more structured and relevant way to explore the outdoors.
The show will continue to be organised across eight core disciplines: hiking and walking, trail running, cycling, climbing, camping, adventure travel, water sports and bushcraft but 2027 will see a distinct area within the event, bringing together brands, retailers, content and live environments relevant to that activity.
A show organised by activity
For 2027, the event moves to a structure where visitors navigate the show by what they do outdoors. Each discipline will combine product, expertise and experience in one place. The intention is to create a more coherent environment, where visitors can spend time within their area of interest and engage with it in greater depth.
Retail placed at the centre of the experience
A key part of the new format is the integration of retail and brands within each discipline. Dedicated retail zones will sit inside each area of the show, bringing together leading outdoor retailers and brands alongside relevant content and activations. This approach allows visitors to explore equipment and apparel in context, with the opportunity to compare products, ask questions and understand how they perform in real use. The aim is to create a more useful commercial environment for both exhibitors and visitors, where product discovery is directly connected to activity.
From inspiration to application
The 2027 programme places greater emphasis on practical learning and participation. Alongside headline speakers, each discipline will include workshops, coached sessions and skill-based demonstrations led by athletes, guides and practitioners. These sessions are designed to reflect real outdoor environments, giving visitors the opportunity to build knowledge they can take beyond the show. Content will sit closer to the action. Rather than focusing solely on talks, the programme will include live activity, performance environments and opportunities to observe and take part in the disciplines themselves.
Live environments across the showfloor
Each area will feature activity-led environments designed to be used. Climbing will include performance and competition elements. Trail running will focus on endurance, technique and equipment testing. Camping and bushcraft will centre on practical skills and field use. Across the show, the balance shifts towards doing, learning and observing real participation, rather than purely listening to experience.
A more defined role within the outdoor sector
The 2027 format positions the National Outdoor Expo as a single place where the UK outdoor community comes together across multiple disciplines, while giving each one the space and depth it requires. The event remains open and accessible, but is structured with greater clarity for those already active within the outdoor space, as well as those looking to progress.
The new format will be introduced at the 2027 edition, with further announcements on retailers, partners and programme to follow in the coming months.