THE SPOT 2026 returned to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne for its second consecutive year, once again bringing together a uniquely diverse mix of stakeholders from across the global sports ecosystem. Set against the stunning backdrop of Lac Léman, the event combined high-level insight, cross-industry dialogue, and emerging innovation—reinforcing its position as a key platform for those looking to connect, collaborate, and do business in sport.
The programme began the evening prior with a networking reception at the museum, creating valuable opportunities for relationship-building across rights holders, brands, investors, and innovators. The following day opened with a high-energy performance from The Blackouts, before Christelle Luisier Brodard, President of the State Council of Vaud, officially welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of partnership and innovation in driving the industry forward.
Throughout the day, keynotes and panel discussions provided both strategic insight and commercial perspective. A keynote from Frédéric Favre, CEO of Switzerland 2038, outlined a compelling vision for “Switzerland 2038: The First Host Country Olympic Bid,” highlighting the scale of opportunity tied to major event hosting.
Sessions such as “The Power Player: How Athlete Brands Are Changing the Game” brought together Thomas Van Schaik, Hinkelien Schreuder, Ansley O’Neal (WFSGI), and Viva Kreis, showcasing how athletes are evolving into powerful commercial partners and redefining their influence beyond the field of play.
Innovation remained a central theme, with Maurits Hendriks (SportAI Foundation) discussing high-performance environments, while Colin Smith (ISU) and Vincent Gaillard (World Rowing) addressed the opportunities and challenges of driving innovation within international federations.
The investment in sport panel—featuring Alex Inglot (Volleyball World), Ollie Dudfield (IOC), Audra Shalall (Corenvest), and Zeki Ayan (TeamMate)—underscored the growing attractiveness of sport as an investable and scalable platform, driven by media, technology, and fan engagement.
A standout feature of THE SPOT 2026 was the Sport Innovation Challenges, celebrating start-ups pushing the boundaries of sport through technology, creativity, and impact.
Sport Innovation Challenge Results
| Category | Position | Company |
|---|---|---|
| AI & Robotics | 1st | Aiving |
| AI & Robotics | 2nd | ORPHE Inc. |
| AI & Robotics | 3rd | Space 11 |
| Future of Play | 1st | Nutri Troops |
| Future of Play | 2nd | RIMNET |
| Future of Play | 3rd | PROVUU |
Alongside these finalists and 17 live start-up pitches, the challenges demonstrated how innovation is shaping the future of sport—from performance and data to play and lifestyle—while offering tangible partnership opportunities for organisations looking to stay ahead of the curve.
As part of ThinkSport’s wider ecosystem, THE SPOT is more than a one-day event—it is a gateway to year-round engagement, innovation programmes, and strategic connections. For organisations seeking visibility, partnerships, and access to the next generation of ideas shaping sport, THE SPOT offers a unique opportunity to get involved and play an active role in the industry’s future.
See the post-event video here.