New location in Amsterdam: ISPO is committed to the global sporting goods revolution!

New location in Amsterdam: ISPO is committed to the global sporting goods revolution!

The Munich Trade Fair is moving to a new location: Amsterdam! The reason for this is the strategic partnership with the British Raccoon Media Group, which will take over operational management of Ispo from 2026. This decision follows a challenging time for the sporting goods trade fair, where the number of visitors and exhibitors has fallen significantly in recent years. Changing purchasing habits and the growing direct business of manufacturers - a circumstance that even industry giants such as Adidas, Nike and Puma felt - have caused ISPO in Munich to falter.

Why the move to Amsterdam? The Ispo is intended to be more global in the future and will now take place at an earlier date, from November 3rd to 5th. In future, the trade fair will take place at the RAI, one of the most famous venues in the Dutch capital. The new location is intended to help increase the reach of the trade fair and create better accessibility for international participants. Deutschlandfunk reports, that as part of this realignment, an investment program of 3 million euros was announced, which includes, among other things, support for non-profit organizations to protect natural environments and a global hosted buyer program to promote international business relationships.

Strategic innovations and events

The takeover by Raccoon Media Group is also intended to provide new impetus for Ispo. Mike Seaman, CEO of Raccoon Media Group, addresses the need for a coherent platform for the sports and outdoor industries. In addition to the expected changes, the Ispo Leaders’ Summit will also be introduced as a C-suite conference attracting major industry leaders. Confirmed speakers such as Jimmy Chin and Andy Rubin underline the quality of the event.

But how will the changes affect trade? The sporting goods industry is currently experiencing a change that is characterized by digitalization and advancing social media. Consumers expect an individual approach and faster innovation cycles. Retailers must adapt and adapt both their communication and product development to changing consumer habits. ispo.com describes, how important it is for companies to stay technologically up-to-date in order to stand out from large online platforms. The speed at which new trends reach specialist retailers will continue to increase.

Conclusion: A new approach for the future

In summary, it can be said that the move to Amsterdam and the new partnership are important steps to lead Ispo into a successful future. The first event after the changes will take place in Munich in 2025, before the trade fair finds its new home in the Netherlands the following year. The challenges of the market require a rethink and a good hand in redesigning the presentation and organization of the trade fair. It remains exciting to see what impulses the upcoming events will provide and how the industry will react to them.