The claim: A highly effective sports business platform
The needs of the industry are at the heart of concept development—with a clear focus on innovation, exchange, and business along the entire value chain. Instead of a segmented approach, the concept relies on a holistic structure divided into three areas—from development and production to the product and brand, all the way to the user experience for the consumer. "Keeping in mind the Early Bird deadline, it was important to us to share our plans with the international sports business community as early as possible," explains Lena Haushofer, Exhibition Director ISPO, as the reason for the highly attended webinar.
More planning, more possibilities
The optimized hall layout reflects the entire value creation process from product development to marketing and creates clear guidance for all participants.
Three central areas—called arenas—form the heart of the new structure:
- Brands & Products: Established brands and newcomers present their most innovative products, technologies, and brand stories here. Outdoor Lifestyle (Hall A1) is aimed at lifestyle-oriented brands, with the curated Zeitgeist Area as a creative highlight, among others. Outdoor Functional (Hall A2) stands for functional innovations from outdoor brands and highly relevant sustainability solutions. Team Sports (Hall A3) addresses, among other things, the ongoing racket sports trend. Training & Performance (Hall B2) combines fitness solutions for indoors and outdoors as well as the renowned ISPO Award. New this year is Health & Wellbeing (Hall B1)—with a focus on the growing importance of the connection between sport and health.
- Upstream & Supply: From sustainable materials to innovative production processes, sourcing specialists, designers, and product developers can find new solutions and technologies for future-oriented sports products in these halls.
The Upstream & Supply arena is becoming increasingly crucial for meeting the demands of innovative products. Highlights include the ISPO Textrends Award for pioneering textiles (Hall B3) and the Supply Chain Forum (Hall C4), which presents best practices for resilient supply chains.
- Commerce & Experience: Sales, marketing, and the experience of sports products—this arena is all about the connection between product and consumer. Solution providers, organized sports, and digital technologies and services that are exciting for consumers are all found here.
In the Arena of Commerce & Experience, retailers and e-commerce experts will connect with these offerings and solution providers. ISPO Brandnew will highlight startups shaping innovations in the sports world—with opportunities for media reach and investor contacts (Hall B1).
“ISPO is part of Icebug´s the history and future. To us it's a great meeting place and marketplace. We look forward to be back this year to do our part and building it back even better.” David Ekelund, CEO, Icebug
"The trade fair is continuously adapting to the changing needs of the industry. The new date and optimized concept of ISPO Munich 2025 are intended to make it even more accessible and valuable for exhibitors and visitors. These factors together contribute to ISPO remaining a leading trade fair and offering significant added value to the sports industry and trade professionals." Engin Ertugrul, Deputy General Manager at YKK Europe
Not only the hall concept has been optimized: 3 initiatives for a stronger ISPO
In addition to the new trade fair structure, ISPO Munich is focusing on three central initiatives:
- Retail-Friendliness: With its Sunday launch, ISPO Munich is creating more flexibility for retailers. In addition, the newly launched Retail Initiative—led by retail experts Hans Overduin, Jean-Charles Marchionni, and Carsten Schuerg—will ensure more dialogue with and incentives for retailers.
- Media Value: In addition to the fundamental expansion of its international media presence, ISPO Munich is setting a precedent with the first Global Sports Influencer Summit: For the first time, content creators and industry experts will come together to increase the reach and visibility of all participants.
- Targeted Matchmaking: A new, digital matchmaking tool facilitates targeted networking and helps efficiently tap into relevant business potential before, during, and after the trade fair.
"The choice of dates is a crucial factor for the success of a trade fair. In our view, adjusting the trade fair period is a clear signal that ISPO is responding to the needs of the industry. Sunday, in particular, offers smaller retailers more flexibility and makes it easier for them to attend the trade fair." Margit Gosau and Dominik Solleder, CEOs of SPORT 2000
Innovation meets community
In addition to presenting products and innovations, ISPO Munich 2025 will strengthen the exchange of ideas and future-oriented discussions. The Convention Area will be moved closer to the Expo via the repurposed West Entrance, integrating networking, knowledge transfer, and new ideas even more directly into the trade fair activities. "We want to facilitate exchange where the industry comes together—in the middle of the action," says Saskia Rettenbacher, Head of Event Management at ISPO. Planned events include the international conference SPORT BRAND MEDIA (formerly SPORT. MARKE. MEDIEN), the German Trainers ' Summit, and Sports Tech Nation. Additional conferences are in the in the planning stages.
"Sports and technology are evolving faster than ever before. 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." Oren Simanian, Founder and CEO of Sports Tech Nation.
Individual interviews with the webinar presenters are available on request.
