SBC Summit 2026: The Complete Guide to Lisbon's Record-Breaking iGaming Extravaganza

By jili tutorial · September 24, 2026

SBC Summit 2026: The Complete Guide to Lisbon’s Record-Breaking iGaming Extravaganza

The betting and iGaming industry is converging on Lisbon for what promises to be the most ambitious, star-studded, and content-rich edition of the SBC Summit yet. Returning to the Portuguese capital for its third consecutive year, the flagship event is set to shatter records, bringing together the entire ecosystem—from c-suite executives and regulators to affiliate marketers and product innovators—for three days of business, networking, and celebration.

Scheduled for 29 September – 1 October across the expansive Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) and the adjacent MEO Arena, this year’s summit arrives with a tidal wave of new features designed to enhance value for every attendee. With an anticipated 40,000 delegates from over 150 countries and more than 11,000 confirmed operators, the event’s buyer-side strength cements its status as the industry’s primary deal-making hub.

More Than a Conference: The Five Core Pillars of SBC Summit

SBC CEO and Founder Rasmus Sojmark has made the mission clear: “Our number one goal has always been growing the value for attendees.” To achieve this, the summit has restructured around five key pillars:

Conference: 600+ speakers across 12+ stages delivering high-level strategic insight.
Expo: 800+ exhibitors and sponsors showcasing their latest products and platforms.
Networking: A fully rebuilt programme designed to maximise high-quality connections.
Education: CPD-certified conference and education tracks, plus specialist academies.
Experience: Unmatched entertainment and hospitality, from a food festival to headliner concerts.

Sojmark calls it “the Greatest Show in Gaming,” and for good reason. The sheer scale and diversity of this year’s programme leave little doubt that this is the industry event to attend this year.

Affiliate Leaders Summit: A Standalone Powerhouse

Recognising the immense growth and the unique needs of the affiliate and performance marketing community, SBC has made a bold strategic move: Affiliate Leaders Summit has now been elevated to a fully standalone event, co-located with the main SBC Summit. This evolution gives the affiliate world its own dedicated space, infrastructure, and identity.

Dedicated Space: For the first time, affiliates will have their own ticketing, conference programme, expo and awards ceremony. This creates a more focused and relevant environment for the community.
Strategic Partnership: This year, SBC has partnered with Conversion Conf, a renowned name in the conversion marketing space. This collaboration is set to strengthen the summit’s ability to unite the entire ecosystem—from acquisition and retention specialists to the operators and suppliers that power the industry.

With 10,000 attendees from the affiliate world expected, this standalone summit ensures that its growing successes are matched with the platform and resources they deserve.

New Forums for a Shifting Landscape

Beyond the affiliate focus, the SBC Summit champions the industry’s future with two brand-new, highly relevant forums.

Global Prediction Markets Forum

This new forum lands at a defining moment for one of the most explosive sectors in the industry. Prediction markets are rapidly blurring the lines between traditional sports betting, financial trading, and forecasting. The forum will delve into the capital, technology, and regulatory attention this sector is attracting, featuring key players who are shaping the future of these platforms.

African Gaming Forum

Africa is one of the most dynamic and complex gaming regions in the world, and this forum reflects its growing importance at the global summit. Developed in close collaboration with Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF) , iGaming Afrika, and the Ghana Association of Sports Betting Operators (GHASBO) , this dedicated space will examine the continent’s various markets, each with its distinct regulatory frameworks, priorities, and commercial challenges, providing invaluable insights for companies looking to navigate this landscape.

The Dream Headline: A Super Stage Lineup Like No Other

The keynote lineup announced for the event is historic. The Super Stage will welcome an unprecedented combination of sporting, commercial, and cultural icons.

A Basketball Legend Meets Industry Titans

In a double bill that alone makes this the most star-studded industry stage ever seen in Europe, basketball icon Michael Jordan will appear in conversation with Carsten Koerl, Founder & CEO of Sportradar, and Jason Robins, Co-Founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board of DraftKings. This session, bringing together a sports legend and two leaders who have redefined the intersection of sport and technology, provides an opportunity for insights not available anywhere else.

The “Here We Go!” Factor

From the basketball court to the football transfer market, Fabrizio Romano, the world’s most followed and respected transfer insider, will also take to the Super Stage. His signature “Here we go!” phrase is a lifelong moment for millions of fans, and his talk will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the global transfer market.

A Champion in the House

Another highlight will be UFC champion Charles Oliveira, appearing on stage as the brand ambassador for Spribe’s flagship product, Aviator. An icon in Brazilian sports, his presence connects the event with the martial arts and a passionate global fan base.

Beyond the Big Names: A Deep Dive into Sector Content

While the keynotes may be headline-grabbing, the true value of the event lies in the depth of the content programme. An expanded lineup of 600+ speakers will lead discussions across dedicated tracks covering:

Regulation & Compliance: An essential track for navigating the complex and constantly evolving legal environment across jurisdictions.
Global & Emerging Markets: Analyst-led sessions exploring opportunities in markets from Africa to Latin America and beyond.
Technology & Innovation: A deep dive into how AI, data, and new platforms are changing the game.
Payments & Fintech: Critical insight into the ever-critical area of banking, crypto, and alternative payment solutions.

Main Stage vs. Specialist Stages

This year, attendees are spoiled for choice. The dedicated stages for the two new forums and the Affiliate Leaders Summit (which itself features two stages) will coexist with the flagship stages and the new Product Innovation Showcase Stage, ensuring that every topic, from macro-strategy to granular technical details, has a dedicated home.

Forging Connections: Networking Rebuilt for 2026

SBC understands that its value is as much about the people you meet as the content you absorb. The networking programme has been completely rebuilt to offer more accessible, structured, and effective ways to connect.

Speed Networking: These sessions offer an efficient way to meet a large number of potential partners or clients in a short space of time.
Show Floor Tours: These provide high-level, curated tours of the exhibition floor, perfect for investors or newcomers looking to maximize their time.
20 Regulatory Gaming Meetups: Delivered in partnership with the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) and the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) , these will foster an open dialogue between regulators and industry leaders.
Smart Connect: A highly curated matchmaking service that uses data to identify and pair the right buyers with the right sellers, ensuring business-critical connections are made.

Innovating the Show Floor: Products, Platforms, and a New Stage

The expo floor itself is bigger and better than ever, doubling as a launch pad for the industry’s next chapter.

The New Product Innovation Showcase Stage

A dedicated platform for companies to run live product demonstrations in front of a highly targeted audience. This is where attendees will get their first look at the technology that will shape the industry’s next chapter, witnessing hands-on what software, hardware, and platforms are set to make a difference.

Meet Bruna, Your New AI Concierge

Embracing the future of technology, the event introduces Bruna, an AI-driven event concierge developed by InsightPlay AI. Based at the event, Bruna will be available to help attendees navigate the on-site experience, providing instant answers to questions about scheduling, way-finding, and more. It marks a significant step in how technology can enhance the conference experience itself.

Look Who’s In the Building: From OpenAI to TikTok

The impressive roster of speakers and partners extends far beyond the core betting industry. The event’s reach is clear in the representation from some of the world’s largest technology companies, including AWS , Google , Meta , OpenAI , TikTok , Tinder , and Snapchat . This lineup is a clear sign of just how far the betting and iGaming industry’s orbit now extends into mainstream tech.

Investing in Your Professional Development

SBC is placing a renewed emphasis on education and professional growth.

CPD Certification

For the first time ever, both the conference and education tracks are CPD-certified. That means the time you invest at the event is formally recognised, providing a tangible return on your participation.

Tech Academies & Masterclasses

For attendees seeking hands-on, practical learning, four add-on Tech Academies will cover:

AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Player Experience
Digital Marketing & CRM
Web3 & Crypto

In addition, three specialist Masterclasses will offer deep dives into core operational areas: Trading, Casino Operations, and Responsible Gaming.

The Complete Attendee Experience

SBC Summit is more than just a business event—it’s a full experience designed to manage an entire week of high-level activity.

Expo & Exhibitors: The show floor will host 800 exhibitors and sponsors, making it one of the largest and most diverse showcases in the industry’s history.
Festival Square: A brand-new outdoor networking space, open both during and after event hours, providing a vibrant hub for informal meetings and relaxation.
The Food Festival: Returning for another year, this will introduce attendees to a range of local and global flavours from over 50 vendors, ensuring no one works on an empty stomach.

Music, Entertainment, and Celebration

As the sun sets, the event’s energy shifts from the conference floor to the party.

SBC Summit Opening Party (powered by 1xBet): Kicks off the week with a headline performance from the internationally renowned band The Script.
INFINITY Lisbon (closing party): The week comes to a triumphant close with a headline performance by global superstar DJ Tiësto.

These are not just after-parties; they are live music spectacles that offer an unrivalled opportunity to let loose and forge deeper bonds with colleagues and clients.

Industry Celebrations

The festivities are punctuated by two dedicated industry awards ceremonies: the SBC Awards and the newly standalone Affiliate Leaders Awards . These recognise and celebrate the very best of the betting, iGaming, and affiliate marketing sectors, a fitting tribute to the innovators driving the industry forward.

Managing Your Summit: SBC Connect App

Whether you’re a veteran or a first-time delegate, the SBC Connect app is your ultimate tool to manage the entire experience from your pocket. You can access:

Full event scheduling
Ticket add-ons
Meeting bookings
And more

This digital integration ensures you can plan your agenda, connect with key contacts, and make the most of every minute you spend in Lisbon.

Conclusion

The SBC Summit 2026 is far more than just a conference; it represents a milestone in the maturation and globalisation of the betting and iGaming industry. By combining a historic keynote lineup with a more structured affiliate summit, key forums around booming sectors, a robust and recognised educational offering, and a truly world-class networking and events programme, it is set to provide an unmatched return on investment for attendees. Lisbon is gearing up to welcome the world, and the stage is set for the “Greatest Show in Gaming” to truly live up to its name.