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.
Led by Raccoon Media Group in partnership with Messe München, ISPO 2026 marks a new chapter as it makes its debut at RAI Amsterdam from 3–5 November. Bringing together over 25,000 key opinion formers and industry professionals, ISPO remains the only trade event representing the entire value chain - from materials and manufacturing through to brands, retailers and consumer experience.
More than 500 exhibitors and brands including Rab, Reebok Accessories, Skechers Running, Scott, Gymstick, and Nordberg have already secured their place, alongside a growing number of retailers, partners and speakers including INTERSPORT, Ellis Brigham, Decathlon and Amazon. This early wave of commitment reflects renewed industry confidence and signals strong momentum behind ISPO’s resurgence as the essential meeting point for the sector.
Every visitor - from retailers and distributors to product designers, developers, buyers, brands, athletes, influencers and media will find a focused and relevant offering. ISPO is committed to combining insight, innovation and community to create a platform that not only reflects the industry but helps shape its future.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT ISPO 2026
ISPO 2026 will deliver a commercially relevant and immersive experience, designed to maximise time, connections and return for attendees. Across the show floor, more than 20 activations will bring the industry to life - from snow ramps and running tracks to immersive simulation experiences and product testing environments, creating a dynamic setting for both discovery and engagement.
Retailers and distributors will be able to source for the season ahead through hundreds of product launches, discover challenger brands, strengthen relationships and explore new technologies shaping modern retail. In a fast-evolving landscape defined by shifting consumer behaviour, sustainability demands and technological advancement, ISPO provides a space to stay informed, connected and competitive.
Brand designers and developers will gain access to the latest materials and innovations, connect with athletes and industry leaders, and explore emerging trends shaping future product development, while building global supply and retail partnerships.
Athletes, influencers and media will be able to engage directly with brands, test new products, create content and build meaningful commercial relationships within a highly concentrated environment.
A GLOBAL PLATFORM, REBUILT WITH PURPOSE
The 2026 edition will be structured across dedicated halls and zones to improve navigation and relevance, covering outdoor, sports, fitness, sourcing, textiles and sustainability, alongside national and industry pavilions representing key global markets. A continued focus on sustainability will run throughout the event, with dedicated areas exploring circularity, materials innovation and responsible production.
The International Running Expo (IRX), Europe’s only dedicated B2B running event, will also feature as part of the wider show, further strengthening ISPO’s position as a multi-sector platform.
LEADERSHIP, CONTENT AND INDUSTRY DIALOGUE
ISPO 2026 will open on 3rd November with the ISPO Leaders’ Summit, a standalone C-suite forum bringing together senior executives, policymakers and industry leaders. Centred around three core pillars - Participation, Sustainability and Fair Trade, the Summit will provide a platform for open discussion around the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the industry today. Confirmed speakers include Andy Rubin (Pentland Group), Hap Klopp (The North Face), John Lacy (Burton Snowboards) and Margit Gosau (Sport 2000) at The ISPO Leaders’ Summit and Charlotte Cox, Founder of Global Game Shapers and Patrik Frisk, CEO of REJU among many others at the Expo.
INVESTMENT IN ISPO
To support this new direction, Raccoon Media Group, in partnership with Messe München, has committed a €3 million investment programme to strengthen the commercial and cultural foundations of the event. €1 million will be invested in a Hosted Buyer Programme, connecting 500 buyers with brands through targeted meetings and supported networking. €1 million will be dedicated to a world-class content programme, anchored by the ISPO Leaders’ Summit. A further €1 million will be allocated to initiatives supporting participation, grassroots development and the protection of natural environments, managed independently through ISPO’s Impact Council, applications for grants open in June 2026.
This November, the sports industry will arrive in Amsterdam. The conversations rarely wait for the trade show doors to open, they start the day before, at the ISPO Leaders Summit.
On 3 November 2026, senior executives, founders, policymakers and thinkers from across outdoor, winter sports and the wider sporting goods sector will gather for a full day of reflection, debate and forward‑looking discussion. The Summit is a space where people speak openly about the challenges and shifts that aren’t always visible on a show floor.
While the Summit is reserved for C-suite leaders, all other visitors are invited to join the ISPO Expo programme, which runs on 4 & 5 November.
This year’s Summit spans three tracks (Outdoor Sports, Sporting Products and Winter Sports), with sessions exploring participation, sustainability, innovation, climate, consumer behaviour and the broader forces reshaping the industry.
Here’s a brief look at some of the leaders joining the 2026 ISPO Leaders Summit.
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)
Steering 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 industry thinking.
Jimmy Chin (Filmmaker, Climber & DEI Advocate, The North Face)
Academy Award-winning filmmaker and climber offering a unique perspective on storytelling, performance and representation.
John Lacy (CEO, Burton Snowboards)
Guiding one of the most influential brands in snow sports through cultural and industry transformation.
Laura McAllister (Vice President, UEFA)
A respected voice in governance and policy across European sport.
Lindsey Vonn (World Cup & Olympic Champion)
One of the most successful athletes in winter sports history, now focused on advocacy and youth engagement.
Margit Gosau (CEO, Sport 2000)
Leading one of Europe’s largest retail groups through continued digital and consumer‑driven change.
Ger Wright (VP Sales EMEA, New Balance)
Bringing a market‑wide perspective on sales, leadership and brand evolution across EMEA.
Pia Heidenmark Cook (Senior ESG Advisor, Achilles & Decathlon)
A leading sustainability advisor with decades of experience guiding business transformation.
Céline Del Genes (Global Chief Customer Officer, Decathlon & Global Game Shapers)
Shaping Decathlon’s evolution into a global sports brand through customer‑centric transformation and creative direction.
Tamara Friessnegg (Founder, Global Game Shapers)
Connecting emerging and established leaders across sport to accelerate collaboration.
Augustus Doricko (Founder and CEO, Rainmaker)
Founder of the climate‑tech company developing next‑generation tools for precipitation enhancement, with implications for winter sports resilience.
Avi Samtani (Managing Director/Europe GM, Amazon Sports)
Driving Amazon’s sports strategy in Europe and exploring new models for connecting live sports, digital audiences and retail.
Nacho Garcia‑Valdecasas (Amazon Sports)
Shaping Amazon’s growing role within the global sports ecosystem.
Benjamin Aidan (Partnership Director, Protect Our Winters Europe)
Longtime outdoor industry leader now helping brands and communities accelerate climate action.
Emma Mason (CEO, WFSGI)
Leading international collaboration and policy alignment across the sporting goods sector.
Fredrik Ekström (Brand & Marketing Strategist, Above The Clouds)
Known for translating cultural insight into brand strategy, with a strong focus on sustainability and the future outdoor consumer.
Nick Sargent (President, SIA)
Driving climate action, transparency and long-term growth within the winter sports industry.
To find out more, visit www.ispo.com and to register your interest in attending, complete this form here.
The global sports and outdoor industry have always evolved quickly, but the pace of change today is unprecedented. Advances in technology, growing sustainability pressures, shifting retail models and the expansion of direct-to-consumer strategies have transformed how brands design products, reach customers and manage supply chains.
In an era where much of business takes place online, trade shows continue to hold a distinctive role. They offer something digital communication struggles to replicate: the ability to meet face-to-face, see products demonstrated in real conditions and build relationships across the industry. For many companies, particularly in sectors such as sporting goods and outdoor equipment, that physical interaction remains central to how deals are made and ideas exchanged.
Industry events themselves have also evolved. Modern trade shows are no longer simply exhibition halls filled with stands. Increasingly they combine networking, education and community-building, with curated meetings between buyers and brands, conference programmes and live product demonstrations. As industries become more complex and globally connected, these gatherings act as focal points where different parts of the ecosystem - manufacturers, retailers, athletes, media and technology providers - can meet in one place.
One of the most established events in this space is ISPO, which brings together professionals from across the sporting goods, outdoor and winter sports markets. The event is set to enter a new phase in 2026 when it relocates to Amsterdam RAI, reflecting wider changes in how the industry gathers and collaborates.
Organisers say the next edition will place greater emphasis on hosted buyer programmes, conference content and curated networking, alongside the traditional exhibition floor. The aim is to bring retailers, distributors, manufacturers and innovators together in a more structured way, helping businesses identify partners and opportunities in a rapidly shifting marketplace.
Beyond commerce, trade shows are also increasingly positioning themselves as platforms for broader industry discussion. Topics such as sustainability, participation in sport and responsible supply chains are expected to feature prominently at ISPO 2026, alongside appearances from athletes and industry leaders.
The timing of the show will also shift slightly to avoid the peak US holiday season, and it will run alongside the growing International Running Expo, reflecting the global growth of running as both a sport and lifestyle activity.
For many in the sector, the continued relevance of events like ISPO highlights a simple reality: while the industry is becoming more digital, innovation and collaboration still benefit from people gathering in the same place. Trade shows remain one of the few environments where the full spectrum of an industry can meet, debate ideas and shape what comes next.
To find out more, visit www.ispo.com, please register your interest and a member of the ISPO team will be in touch shortly.
Raccoon Media Group, organisers of ISPO 2026 the world’s most influential trade event for the sporting goods, outdoor and winter sports industries have announced that buyers can register their interest in the hosted buyer programme for this year’s show. With more than 280 exhibitors already confirmed, ISPO 2026 will be held at RAI Amsterdam on 3–5 November 2026.
Part of a €3 million investment programme designed to strengthen both the commercial and cultural foundations of the event, the hosted buyer programme is a €1 million strategic investment to strengthen ISPO’s global impact and commercial outcomes. The ISPO Hosted Buyer Programme2026 is designed to attract globally significant retailers, distributors and decision-makers.
The programme is ideally suited to retailers, e-commerce, distributors/wholesalers, buying groups and brands actively involved in procurement decisions. Programme participation typically includes pre-event qualification, structured engagement opportunities and exposure to high-value industry connections.
Selected participants will enjoy a premium event experience, networking with peers, finding out what’s hot and what’s not in the market, and being hosted at the ISPO Expo and invited to take part in brand activations and fringe evening events as part of their stay.
By offering a structured, efficient and cost-effective process curated to individual requirements, the programme removes barriers and empowers hosted buyers to connect directly with key brands and suppliers in one place.
Early strength of industry support for the ISPO 2026 Hosted Buyer Network is indicated by confirmed participation from two major retail partners INTERSPORT and Ellis Brigham.
An exclusive, invitation-only C-Suite ISPO Leaders’ Summitwill take place on the 3rd November at The Auditorium, RAI Amsterdam. Summit attendees already confirmed include: Jimmy Chin (Filmmaker and Mountaineer), Hap Klopp (Founder, The North Face), Professor Laura McAllister (Vice President of UEFA), Andy Rubin (Deputy Chair, Pentland Group), John Lacy (CEO, Burton) and Pia Heidenmark Cook (Former Group Chief Sustainability Officer Ingka/IKEA).
ISPO 2026 Hosted Buyer Director Sarah Arnold comments: “ISPO 2026 promises to be an immersive, inspiring and commercially vibrant gathering uniting the sporting and outdoor goods industry. We can’t wait to deliver a dedicated hosted programme that drives strong ROI for both exhibitors and attendees, and creates valuable opportunities to connect, network and do business.“
Suitable businesses can now register their interest in being part of the ISPO 2026 Hosted Buyer Programme. View the exciting programme of events and register for more information.
An introduction to the Mountain Shop concept can be found in Stefan Rainer's talk on the subject. Among other things, it deals with market developments in outdoor retail, community trends, and why the Mountain Shop concept is a model for the future of mountain sports retailers.
You can get even more exciting insights on the topic of retail at ISPO 2025 on the Retail & Innovation Stage from November 30 to December 2 in Munich.
Stefan Rainer is a passionate mountaineer—and one of the strategic minds behind the Oberalp Group's retail development. In this interview, the Group Chief Sales Officer explains how and, above all, why the “Mountain Shop” is becoming the model of the future for specialist mountaineering retailers, how retailers benefit as franchise partners, and which regions are the focus of attention.
How did the idea for the Mountain Shop come about?
Stefan Rainer: We opened our first store in Finale Ligure 20 years ago, which was a mecca for the climbing community here at the time; Arco wasn't as big back then. As a brand, Oberalp has always focused on relationships with our customers, i.e., the people who share our passion for the mountains. The idea for the Mountain Shop was less strategic back then than one might assume today. We wanted to establish a credible specialist store, but at that time we didn't have any shoes in our range from Salewa and had to supplement our stock with other brands. Since then, the concept has become increasingly professional and we have built up a wealth of knowledge about how retail can inspire enthusiasm in mountain sports communities, create loyalty, and also deliver brand experiences.
What distinguishes the Mountain Shop from other retail concepts?
When Salewa later started selling shoes, for example, we placed greater emphasis on the brand, but quickly realized that these are two completely different disciplines: a mono-brand store as a brand beacon, where brand positioning is key, and a genuine specialist store dedicated to the community and its specific local needs. The Mountain Shop is the latter: a retail concept that is deliberately localized and at the same time does not work with a rigid standard range. The name “Mountain Shop” was also chosen very deliberately. The aim is to create a retail business that operates very close to the real mountain community. Not a huge store, not a generic concept, but a format that works regionally and is credible in terms of content, with the product range precisely tailored to this.
What role do Oberalp brands play compared to other brands?
Of course our brands play a role. But: The concept deliberately works with a local franchise partner to ensure neutrality. It's not about giving priority to one brand, but about creating an ecosystem of premium brands that fits the local community. The space allocated to our brands is flexible – what matters is what works for the location. Customers shouldn't feel that one brand dominates simply because it belongs to us.
How do retailers benefit from the concept in concrete terms?
The market is changing dramatically. Many retailers are facing generational change, some cannot find successors, others have underinvested for years. This is exactly where our concept comes in: we want to help ensure that specialist mountain sports retailers remain viable for the future. The main advantage for partners is that Oberalp takes on many operational challenges: we provide store design, merchandising, training, support, logistics, and financial strength. Partners also benefit from better purchasing conditions and strong structural support. This allows retailers to focus on what really matters—their customers and community building. That is the key to success.
How much flexibility is there for regional adaptations?
Regionality is not an add-on, but the heart of the Mountain Shop. After all, the core of specialist retail is putting together the right product range for a local community. In Arco or Finale Ligure, this looks different than in Vienna or Zermatt. A Mountain Shop has a value proposition, a service promise, and a quality promise—but no predetermined standard product range. The concept only works if it remains authentic locally: the expertise of the local entrepreneur is key, because they know the scene, the opinion leaders, the groups, and the real needs. Only then can a shop become a real destination for the community.
What are some examples of successful mountain shops?
Today, we have several examples that show how well the concept works. Locations where traditional retailers with a great passion for mountain sports have further developed their business within the concept are particularly successful. If we look at South Tyrol, there are various examples of success, for example Sand in Taufers in the Puster Valley, where it has been working very successfully for years. Another important criterion is who this local entrepreneur is and how much time and enthusiasm they have to invest. In Mayrhofen, we certainly have a best-case example in Alfons Hörhager, who is doing an excellent job.
What lessons have you learned that you consider particularly important?
From my point of view, there are three key points:
1. The courage to focus: Many retailers carry too much and lose their profile as a result. Accordingly, at Mountain Shops, as the name suggests, we focus specifically on the mountains and not on the outdoors in general.
2. Ambience & service: A store should not be a warehouse, but an expression of competence.
3. Partnership chemistry: It's a people business, and the shared values and vision between partners and Oberalp have to be a good fit because you always have to coordinate closely in a strategic collaboration like this.
For the Mountain Shop concept, we have realized that the most important criterion is people. And so choosing the right partners and the right team is of fundamental importance, because by definition, a specialist store is a destination store, which means I am willing to travel a greater distance to get to this store.
Which regions are currently the focus?
We are already committed to our Alpine region and are paying close attention to where opportunities are opening up. Austria, Germany, and Switzerland are currently the regions where we are increasingly focusing our attention, but also Spain and France. We already have a strong presence in some Alpine hotspots. Italy is also already very well developed because we started this process there earlier.
What is the vision for the coming years?
In the future, Mountain Shop will further sharpen its positioning, concept, and clear message, while remaining diverse and continuing to evolve, just like the communities themselves. At the same time, we have already built up a good network with around 50 Mountain Shops. In the future, we also want to move in the direction of an alpine marketplace—strongly locally anchored and service-oriented, but digitally networked. We are now laying the foundations for this, including through POS systems and gradual omnichannel connectivity.
And what role do future trends such as climbing or trail running play?
Trail running is now more than just a niche activity and one of our core competencies, just like climbing and ski touring. Of course, hiking is also important as a broader segment. But it's also about Mountain Shop not only serving the masses, but also being a trendsetter. This creates excitement and develops a new generation of mountain athletes. Trail running and climbing have long been a reality in the market – and we are developing our own concepts, such as Mountain Shops in climbing halls, where we operate at the interface between urban culture and mountain sports, as we know from our brand Evolv, an American climbing brand that is also very strongly anchored in skate culture. Some of these concepts are very innovation-driven and perhaps atypical for a retail location, but we are convinced that it makes sense to position ourselves where the community spends its time. Accordingly, the Mountain Shop is not just a place of sale. It is also a contact point for services such as recycling, care & repair, and biomechanical analyses. This strengthens customer loyalty and creates real added value.