ISPO presents several changes with new arenas, digital matchmaking and a global influencer summit. Read all the latest news and our interview.
Messe Munich’s ISPO Group has revealed its revamped concept for the 2025 edition of the ISPO Munich sporting goods trade show, set to take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, 2025. In a webinar held on March 27, organizers presented a more focused event structure designed to meet the evolving needs of the global sports industry.
“ISPO is positioning itself as a highly effective platform for innovation, exchange, and business across the entire value chain,” said Lena Haushofer, Exhibition Director at ISPO, during the webinar. The redesigned event will feature a new hall layout centered around three core arenas: Brands & Products, Upstream & Supply and Commerce & Experience – each reflecting stages from development to consumer engagement.
New elements for 2025 include the Retail Initiative, aimed at boosting retailer participation with a Sunday opening, and the launch of the Global Sports Influencer Summit, focused on media reach and content collaboration. A new digital matchmaking tool will also help facilitate targeted business networking.
The Convention Area will be moved closer to the exhibition area via a repurposed West Entrance, integrating networking, knowledge transfer and new ideas even more directly into the trade show activities. Planned events include the international conference Sport Brand Media (formerly “Sport Marke Medien”), Sports Tech Nation and the German Trainers’ Summit. According to ISPO, additional conferences are in the planning stages.
“Sports and technology are evolving faster than ever before,” commented Oren Simanian, founder and CEO of Sports Tech Nation. ”Innovation is shaping the future of performance, fan engagement and sports-related businesses. That’s why we’re thrilled to be back at ISPO 2025, bringing together the best entrepreneurs, industry leaders, startups and pioneers in the sports industry. Our mission is to push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
During the webinar, some industry supporters, including YKK and Icebug, emphasized the importance of participating in the trade show. “To us it’s a great meeting place and marketplace,” said David Ekelund, CEO of Icebug. And Engin Ertugrul of YKK Europe added, “The new concept offers significant added value to the industry.”
SGI Europe was able to talk to the exhibition director at the time of the presentation:
SGI Europe: A new hall structure. What does it mean, and how many halls are there?
Lena Haushofer: The new hall structure organizes the exhibition into three main thematic arenas: “Brands & Products,” “Upstream & Supply” and “Commerce & Experience.” Within these arenas, each hall is dedicated to a specific part of the value chain. For instance, in the Brands & Products arena, you have Hall A1 for Outdoor Lifestyle (which features the creative Zeitgeist Area), Hall A2 for Outdoor Functional innovations, Hall A3 focusing on Team Sports, and additional zones like Hall B2 for Training & Performance and Hall B1 for Health & Wellbeing. In the Upstream & Supply arena, highlights include Hall B3 hosting the Textrends Award for pioneering textiles and Hall C4, which hosts the Supply Chain Forum.
Why is there a new hall structure?
The hall structure has been completely redesigned in response to significant changes in the industry and market expectations. Traditional, segmented exhibition formats no longer capture the fluidity of today’s sports and outdoor sectors. The new design adopts a holistic approach that mirrors the entire value chain—from product ideation and development to marketing and consumer interaction—thereby allowing both exhibitors and visitors to navigate the event in a more intuitive and purpose-driven way. This change reflects the increasing convergence between sports, lifestyle, wellness and technology.
What does it mean for exhibitors? How will exhibitors decide where best to exhibit?
For exhibitors, the thematic segmentation means they can align their participation more strategically with the segment that best represents their offerings. By choosing from clearly defined arenas – whether they are focused on innovative product development, sustainable production techniques, or consumer-centric retail and digital experiences – exhibitors can effectively target the audience most relevant to their business goals. This clarity helps decision-making as companies can select the dedicated space that matches their brand identity and market objectives, maximizing their visibility and networking potential.
Concerning the challenging economic situation, how does ISPO help brands to exhibit in these times? What is the pricing structure for the exhibitors?
Acknowledging today’s economic constraints, ISPO has implemented flexible measures to support brands of all sizes. The price increase this year was very moderate and does not pass on the cost increases in the energy and personnel sectors to customers.
Who are your exhibitor target groups?
The target exhibitors span the entire spectrum of the sports, outdoor and lifestyle industries. This includes established global brands as well as innovative newcomers. In addition to manufacturers of sports products, the event welcomes suppliers, technology providers and companies specializing in sustainable production. The aim is to create an integrated network that covers the whole value chain – from product development and material sourcing to brand storytelling and direct consumer engagement – fostering a vibrant ecosystem of industry stakeholders.
What does the new hall structure mean for visitors?
For visitors, the restructured hall setup offers an experience that is both intuitive and focused. The thematic organization allows visitors to easily navigate the exhibition by concentrating on the areas that align with their interests or professional needs. Whether someone is there to explore state-of-the-art product innovations, understand the latest trends in sustainable manufacturing, or connect with contemporary retail solutions, the new layout reduces information overload. It creates a smooth, engaging journey through the event.
Who are the target visitor groups and what do they pay?
The exhibition is aimed primarily at industry professionals such as retailers, brand representatives, decision makers and journalists. It also welcomes experts and enthusiasts eager to learn about the latest innovations and trends in the sports and outdoor sectors. The entry fee is structured to be accessible, with pricing set to encourage attendance from smaller players – including individual retailers – ensuring that the event remains inclusive while still delivering a high level of professional engagement and business value.
Will partner conferences/events be included again, and if so, which ones?
Yes, partner conferences and events will be featured once more. The program will merge time-tested formats with new, innovative sessions to create a comprehensive schedule. In addition to main events like Sport Brand Media, Sports Tech Nation and the German Trainers’ Summit, there will be tailored partner sessions that focus on specific industry challenges and opportunities, further enhancing knowledge sharing and collaborative networking across the sports and outdoor sectors.
How will you be staffed? ISPO veteran Tobias Gröber has left the trade show.
Following Tobi Gröber’s departure, ISPO has undertaken a strategic restructuring of its team to maintain and elevate service quality. The new team comprises experienced professionals as well as fresh talent, ensuring that the event’s longstanding high standards are not only maintained but also infused with new ideas and energy. This reorganization supports ISPO’s commitment to delivering top-tier support and guidance to both exhibitors and visitors throughout the event.
OutDoor is taking a break this year. What does that mean for ISPO Munich?
With OutDoor on temporary hold, ISPO Munich is positioned to channel all its resources and creative focus into enhancing the core event. This shift enables organizers to refine the thematic areas, upgrade digital and networking tools, and deliver a more concentrated and targeted experience. The absence of OutDoor this year means that ISPO can align more clearly with the specific needs and emerging trends within the sports industry, thereby reinforcing its role as the central hub for innovation and business connectivity.
Why did you return to a Sunday as the first ISPO day?
The decision to begin on a Sunday was made with the needs of retailers and smaller market players in mind. A Sunday start provides added flexibility for participants often pressed for time and budgeted resources. This schedule change not only creates more opportunities for networking and business engagement but also signals ISPO’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that even those with limited availability can fully benefit from the trade show.
Thank you!
The trade show is once again offering early-bird discounts. Rates were not announced in the webinar but can be found on the website.
