World Sports Economy Summit

The first ever WSE Summit is an intimate invite-only VIP event bringing together senior executives from some of the world’s most renowned sports properties, media companies, sports sponsors tech and travel businesses.

The 2026 World Sports Economy Summit will take place at the Ham Yard Hotel in London on 8 May, during a key period in the world sporting calendar. With the Premier League season coming to a thrilling conclusion, Formula One returning in Miami, and the World Snooker Championships and ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championship Finals culminating in the UK, the Summit will look at the ways in which sports are innovating and adapting to engage new audiences around the world.

• International Olympic Committee
• International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
• World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA)
• Premier League
• Formula One
• Microsoft
• IMG
• Red Lantern
• DL Holdings
• Shanghai Jiushi Group (the organiser of events including the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix and the ATP1000 Rolex Shanghai Masters, and owner of Shanghai Shenhua FC)
• Trip.com (the world’s largest online travel services provider and a major sports travel package organiser)
• Shanghai Equestrian Association

*A full list of speakers is available below.

Hosted by World Sports Economy (WSE) and organised by Branding Shanghai, the Summit is supported by the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and China-Britain Business Council (CBBC); with the backing of World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Table Tennis England (TTE); and in partnership with leading Chinese enterprises, including Shanghai Jiushi Group, Li-Ning, DHS, DL Holdings and MixZ.

*Full-day hospitality is provided for all delegates, including a welcome breakfast, a networking lunch reception, and two scheduled refreshment breaks throughout the day.

The Summit will explore topics such as the future of media rights in an evolving broadcast landscape, new approaches to global sports events, insights into AI-driven advancements shaping the future of fan engagement, innovative approaches to digital content creation in China and across Asia, lifestyle sports, the economic impact of sports tourism, landmark venues and links with the wider entertainment economy.

Join senior sports and media executives, rightsholders, leading broadcasters, investors, government officials, and legendary athletes for a premier summit celebrating sports with strong British heritage and a global footprint.

The Summit aims to foster new opportunities for investment, sponsorship and strategic partnerships. Through short keynote speeches, panel discussions, fireside chats, and curated small-scale networking, attendees will unlock tangible opportunities for:

· Sponsorship & Brand Collaboration

· Media & Content Distribution Partnerships

· Strategic Market Expansion

· Long-term Industrial Growth

Info: Moderator: Mark Thomas (S2M Consulting)

Info: Moderator: Dr. Rosemary Reed (POW TV Studios)

Info: Moderator: Rupert Daniels (DBT)

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Host or Publisher World Sports Economy Ltd (WSE)