ISPO, the international trade event for the sporting goods, outdoor, and winter sports industries, is set for a major revamp under a new partnership between Raccoon Media Group and Messe München.
From 2026, ISPO will relocate to RAI, Amsterdam, with an earlier dateline of November 3–5. According to the show organisers, the move aims to lower the cost base for attendance, align the event with global buying cycles, and improve accessibility for an international audience.
The 2025 event, taking place in Munich, Germany, on November 30 to December 2, 2025, under Messe München’s stewardship, will aim to act as a launchpad for the newly located ISPO next year. Onsite rebooking for ISPO 2026 in Amsterdam will be available for the first time at the 2025 show.
The choice of Amsterdam hopes to strengthen ties with the North American market, reaffirming ISPO’s position as a global industry gathering place.
The joint venture partners – Raccoon Media Group and Messe München – have announced a €3 million investment initiative. This seeks to bolster the expo’s commercial and cultural foundations, distributing the funds across three core areas:
- €1 million into advocacy, supporting non-profit organisations focused on participation, safeguarding the grassroots of sport, and protecting the environments where sports are played.
- €1 million into a global hosted buyer programme, intended to bring key international retailers and brands to the event to drive strong return on investment (ROI) for exhibitors.
- €1 million into a content programme, starting with the new ISPO Leaders’ Summit. This C-suite forum will unite senior executives and policymakers… ‘focusing on the shared industry pillars of Participation, Sustainability, and Fair Trade.’
Confirmed Leaders’ Summit attendees already include filmmaker Jimmy Chin, Hap Klopp (Founder, The North Face), Professor Laura McAllister (Vice President of UEFA), Andy Rubin (Deputy Chair, Pentland Group), John Lacy (Chief Executive Officer, Burton), and Pia Heidenmark Cook (Former Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Ingka/IKEA).
“We are incredibly proud to take ISPO into its next chapter,” said Mike Seaman, Group CEO of Raccoon Media Group.
“By combining ISPO’s heritage with our community-driven approach, we are creating an event that not only reflects the future of sport and the outdoors, but actively shapes it. For too long, ISPO has been led by the head and lost some of its heart.
“We’re rebalancing that – making smart, strategic choices while restoring the passion, purpose and community that made it great. The industry needs a platform that unites voices, protects the places we play, and inspires the next generation of brands, leaders and businesses. That’s exactly what we intend to deliver.”
Harald Kirchschlager, Executive Director Corporate Strategy & Development at Messe München, added “With the strategic realignment of ISPO, we are purposefully and effectively evolving our long-established flagship trade fair.
“By joining forces with Raccoon Media Group, we are strengthening this vision – ensuring that this transformation continues to be guided by the needs of our customers and the entire sports and outdoor industry.”
www.ispo.com
www.raccoonmediagroup.com
