Key Points

• ISPO will leave Munich for the first time in its more than 50-year history and stage its 2026 edition at RAI Amsterdam from 3 to 5 November.
• Raccoon Media Group is leading the new edition in partnership with Messe München, with the event retaining the ISPO name while adopting a revised format.
• The three-day programme begins with a Leaders’ Summit on 3 November, followed by the main Expo on 4 and 5 November.
• Organisers have announced a €3 million investment covering hosted buyers, Summit content, sustainability and participation initiatives.
• ISPO says its hosted programme is intended to connect exhibitors with senior retailers, distributors and other purchasing decision-makers.
• The event is being co-located with the International Running Expo (IRX), allowing visitors to access both trade shows with the ISPO Expo ticket.
• Hundreds of brands and exhibitors are expected, with major sporting goods and outdoor names already confirmed.
• Boardsports-related exhibitors include Armada, Nordica, Lib Tech and F2 Fun & Function, while Restube will represent water-safety equipment.
• The BrandNew Launchpad is providing space for emerging and challenger brands, including Sumarpo and Tanboer.
• Eleven British outdoor brands will participate in the new OTS Village under a “Best of British” banner.
• The OTS Village includes Berghaus, Bridgedale, Craghoppers, DMM, Keela, Montane, Mountain Equipment, Rab, Sprayway, Terra Nova Equipment and Vango.
• Snowfest’s Rock A Rail will bring a live snowboard and freeski rail-jam feature to the ISPO show floor.
• Organisers have positioned Amsterdam as a more internationally accessible location and have highlighted affordability, international connections and alignment with buying cycles as reasons for the move.

Amsterdam Times News (ATN) September 30, 2026 – ISPO is preparing to open a new chapter in Amsterdam this November, moving its long-established sporting goods and outdoor trade show from Munich to RAI Amsterdam for the first time. The event will run from 3 to 5 November, with a Leaders’ Summit on the opening day followed by two days of exhibition activity. The relocation is accompanied by a new commercial structure, a hosted-buyer programme, community-focused initiatives and a co-location with the International Running Expo. For boardsports and outdoor businesses, the Amsterdam edition will provide a new setting for retailer meetings, brand presentations, product discovery and industry networking.

ISPO Amsterdam Move Brings New Format for Global Sports Industry

The relocation represents more than a change of venue for ISPO. According to Messe München’s official event information, ISPO 2026 will take place at RAI Amsterdam from 3 to 5 November and will be led by Raccoon Media Group in partnership with Messe München. The organisers describe the event as a renewed format intended to connect the global sporting goods, outdoor and winter sports industries.

The event’s first day will be dedicated to the ISPO Leaders’ Summit. The Expo will then take place on 4 and 5 November. ISPO’s published programme identifies the Summit as a C-suite gathering involving senior executives, policymakers and other industry figures, while the two following days are designed around business, brands, products and industry connections.

The organisers have also changed the timing of the event. ISPO’s official FAQ says Amsterdam was selected after research into alternative locations and that the new date was intended to align more closely with global buying cycles while avoiding key holiday periods. The organisers also point to Amsterdam’s transport connections and its concentration of sporting goods and outdoor businesses.

Why Has ISPO Moved From Munich to Amsterdam?

ISPO’s move marks a significant change for an event that has been closely associated with Munich for decades. Rather than simply transferring the existing exhibition to another European city, the organisers have used the relocation to restructure the event around a shorter schedule and more targeted business connections.

Raccoon Media Group says Amsterdam provides a central European location accessible by air, rail and road, while also offering proximity to major sporting and outdoor brands. The organiser has further said the move enables it to address the event’s cost base and make participation more affordable.

The new structure is therefore centred on several themes: professional networking, buyer access, international participation, sustainability and community-led activity.

The change also comes as major trade events increasingly compete for the time and budgets of brands, retailers and distributors. ISPO’s new format places greater emphasis on bringing relevant buyers together with exhibitors rather than relying solely on the scale of exhibition space.

What Will Happen During the ISPO Leaders’ Summit?

The Leaders’ Summit will take place on 3 November before the main exhibition opens.

ISPO’s official information describes the Summit as an exclusive C-suite conference bringing together senior executives, policymakers and other decision-makers from across the sports ecosystem. The published programme includes discussions involving subjects such as fair trade, participation and sustainability.

The Summit is separate from the two-day Expo, creating a distinct opening-day programme for senior industry figures.

Among the speakers and industry figures associated with the new format are executives and leaders from major sports and outdoor businesses. ISPO’s current team information lists Mike Seaman as Group CEO and Tracy Bebbington as Managing Director, while event material identifies Bebbington as a senior figure in the new commercial direction of the show.

The event has also set a limit of 200 seats for Summit access, according to the information supplied for the new format.

How Is ISPO Trying to Increase Access for Buyers and Brands?

One of the most significant changes concerns the way organisers are attempting to facilitate business meetings.

ISPO has introduced a hosted programme designed to connect exhibitors with qualified retail leaders, distributors and brand representatives involved in purchasing, assortment planning, sourcing and product innovation.

In an official ISPO announcement, Tracy Bebbington said the hosted programme was intended to connect exhibitors with senior retail decision-makers and other industry professionals looking for products, partnerships and growth opportunities.

The organisers say participants in the hosted programme will commit to pre-arranged meetings with exhibiting brands. This means the initiative is designed around scheduled commercial interactions rather than relying entirely on visitors walking through exhibition halls.

ISPO says the 2026 event is expected to welcome more than 25,000 industry professionals and more than 850 exhibitors. Retailers identified by the organisers include Ellis Brigham, Intersport, JD Plc, EK-Retail, TitleNine, Mountain Warehouse, Back Country, Hervis, Sports Pursuit, Sportscape and Outdoor Prolink.

These figures are organiser projections and should therefore be distinguished from the final attendance and exhibitor totals that will only be established after the event.

What Investment Has Been Announced for ISPO Amsterdam?

The organisers have committed €3 million to elements of the new event structure.

Raccoon Media Group says €1 million will be directed towards the hosted buyer programme, with a target of bringing 500 buyers into targeted meetings with brands. A further €1 million has been allocated to Summit content, while another €1 million is being committed to good causes and participation initiatives through the independently managed ISPO Impact Council.

The Impact Council initiative is intended to support causes connected with the sports and outdoor industries, including grassroots participation and protection of outdoor environments.

The investment forms part of the organisers’ broader effort to reposition the show around business connections and participation rather than exhibition scale alone.

Which Brands and Retailers Are Expected at ISPO Amsterdam?

The exhibitor programme includes brands from sporting goods, outdoor equipment, winter sports, running and other related categories.

ISPO’s official material has previously identified brands including Gymstick, Head, Icebug, Nordberg, Rab, Reebok Accessories, Scott, Skechers Running and Thermore. Retailers associated with the event include Intersport, Ellis Brigham and Amazon, among others.

The exhibitor programme also has specific relevance for boardsports.

Armada, Nordica and Lib Tech are among the names connected with the boardsports and winter-sports side of the event. F2 Fun & Function, which covers windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, snowboarding and foiling equipment, is also part of the wider exhibitor mix.

Restube, known for inflatable water-safety equipment, adds another water-focused dimension to the event.

The BrandNew Launchpad is intended to provide visibility for emerging companies and challenger brands. Sumarpo, a triathlon brand, and activewear label Tanboer are among the businesses identified in connection with this part of the show.

The presence of established companies alongside newer brands gives the exhibition a structure that covers both established supply chains and businesses seeking new retail and distribution relationships.

How Will the OTS Village Represent British Outdoor Brands?

A new OTS Village will provide a dedicated collective presence for British outdoor companies.

The Outdoor Industries Association, Outdoor Trade Show, ISPO and Raccoon Media Group announced the initiative in September. According to the OIA’s announcement, 11 British technical outdoor brands will come together at RAI Amsterdam under a “Best of British” banner.

The participating brands are Berghaus, Bridgedale, Craghoppers, DMM, Keela, Montane, Mountain Equipment, Rab, Sprayway, Terra Nova Equipment and Vango.

A central OIA and OTS area will provide a meeting and networking point within the Village.

The OIA said the initiative is intended to give British outdoor businesses greater exposure to an international sports and outdoor audience. The organisation’s chief executive, Andrew Denton, described the project as a collective showcase for British outdoor expertise and businesses.

Marta Williams, managing director of MCS, the organiser of OTS, said the partnership would extend relationships developed through the UK Outdoor Trade Show to an international audience. Her comments were published by the OIA in its announcement about the Village.

The initiative also illustrates the community-based approach being built into the Amsterdam edition, with existing industry groups being brought into the event rather than operating entirely as separate communities.

How Will ISPO and the International Running Expo Work Together?

ISPO will be co-located with the International Running Expo, or IRX, which focuses specifically on the European running industry.

Messe München confirms that the two events will take place together at RAI Amsterdam. The organiser describes IRX as Europe’s dedicated B2B running exhibition, while Raccoon Media Group says the running event brings together brands, retailers, wholesalers and distributors.

Visitors with an ISPO Expo ticket will have access to IRX, allowing businesses interested in both wider sporting goods and running to attend both exhibitions during the same visit. ISPO’s retailer information specifically highlights access to the International Running Expo as part of the Expo ticket.

The co-location creates an opportunity for brands to meet different segments of the sports retail market without requiring a separate trip.

For boardsports businesses, the direct relevance will depend on their product range and retail strategy, but the broader presence of sporting goods buyers may increase the number of categories represented in the same venue.

What Will Rock A Rail Bring to the ISPO Show Floor?

Boardsports will also have a visible live component through Snowfest’s Rock A Rail activation.

According to ISPO’s announcement published on 21 August, Rock A Rail and Jibworx will stage a street-style rail jam at Congress Square during the Amsterdam edition. The setup will include an actual bus and provide a platform for snowboarders and freeskiers to perform on the show floor.

The event is part of the fifth year of the Rock A Rail Tour presented by Snowfest.

ISPO’s wider programme confirms that the Snowfest Village will also be part of the Amsterdam edition. The organisers describe it as an extension of the Snowfest experience previously seen at events in Innsbruck and The Hague.

The activation means that boardsports at ISPO will not be represented solely through product displays and commercial meetings. Live demonstrations will also form part of the visitor experience.

What Does the New Pricing Structure Mean for Visitors?

The new ISPO format has also placed attention on entry costs.

The organisers announced an early-bird ticket structure beginning at €29 for the first 3,000 Expo passes, with later ticket stages increasing to €59 and €99. Summit access is positioned separately from the Expo.

The pricing approach is connected to the organisers’ stated intention to reduce barriers to participation and make the event accessible to a broader section of the industry.

For smaller brands, retailers and businesses with limited event budgets, the cost of attendance can affect whether staff travel to an international trade show. The new pricing structure therefore forms part of the wider commercial repositioning of the event.

The final effect on participation will depend on actual attendance and the number of businesses that decide to travel to Amsterdam.

What Is the Schedule for ISPO Amsterdam 2026?

The event schedule has been confirmed by ISPO.

The Leaders’ Summit will take place on Tuesday, 3 November, with doors opening at 7.30am and the Summit running from 8.30am to 5pm.

The Expo will open on Wednesday, 4 November, from 9am to 6pm, followed by the second Expo day on Thursday, 5 November, from 9am to 5pm.

An ISPO x IRX after-party is also scheduled for 4 November. ISPO says the event will take place at Escape Nightclub in Amsterdam from 8pm until midnight.

The three-day structure gives the event a different rhythm from a conventional multi-day trade fair, separating leadership discussions from the main exhibition.

What Background Explains ISPO’s Amsterdam Relocation?

The move follows a strategic rethink of how the event is organised and where it is positioned within the international sports industry.

Messe München confirms that Amsterdam will host ISPO for the first time in 2026, while Raccoon Media Group’s event information describes the move as a new era for the exhibition.

The organisers’ stated reasons include Amsterdam’s international transport links, its position as a European business hub, the presence of sporting and outdoor brands in the region, the ability to alter the event’s timing and the opportunity to address participation costs.

The new format also reflects an effort to make existing communities part of the event. The OTS Village is one example, bringing an established British outdoor trade network into the international ISPO environment.

The co-location with IRX follows the same principle by placing two specialist B2B sporting events in the same venue and giving visitors access to both.

ISPO’s official material describes the exhibition as covering the sports industry’s value chain from materials and manufacturing through brands, products, trade and customer experience.

The Amsterdam edition will therefore be closely watched as the first full test of the redesigned event structure outside Munich.

What Could the Amsterdam Move Mean for Boardsports Brands?

For boardsports brands, the most immediate effect is a change in the environment in which they will meet retailers, distributors, buyers and other industry professionals.

The presence of Armada, Nordica, Lib Tech and F2 Fun & Function gives the category representation within the wider ISPO programme, while Rock A Rail introduces live snowboarding and freeskiing activity to the event floor.

The hosted-buyer programme could also affect how brands approach the show because its stated purpose is to create pre-arranged meetings with purchasing decision-makers.

The co-location with IRX provides an additional pool of sporting-goods professionals, while the OTS Village demonstrates how specialist communities can be grouped within the wider exhibition.

However, the commercial effect of the relocation cannot be established until the Amsterdam event has taken place. Attendance, exhibitor engagement, buyer meetings, product launches and resulting business relationships will provide the practical evidence of how the new model performs.

For now, the confirmed information shows that ISPO Amsterdam is being built around a shorter programme, targeted buyer access, community partnerships, live sporting activations and a stronger emphasis on international connectivity. The first edition at RAI Amsterdam will determine how effectively those elements translate into the business activity traditionally associated with ISPO.