Adelaide to Host Women in Sport Summit 2026 This October

Australia’s premier commercial platform dedicated to women’s sport is set to return in October 2026, bringing together influential leaders, investors, athletes, and brands to shape the sector’s next phase of growth. The Women in Sport Summit (WISS) will be held in Adelaide, South Australia, from October 19 to 22, 2026, at a time when women’s sport continues to experience unprecedented commercial expansion, audience growth, and investment opportunities worldwide.

Key Highlights

• Women in Sport Summit 2026 will take place in Adelaide from 19–22 October
• More than 1,000 delegates are expected to attend the four-day event
• The summit aims to accelerate investment and commercial growth in women’s sport

The four-day gathering is expected to catalyze collaboration, innovation, and long-term investment, connecting stakeholders from across the sporting ecosystem and providing a platform to explore sustainable growth strategies.

As global interest in women’s sport reaches new heights, the summit aims to strengthen industry partnerships and create pathways that support both emerging talent and established sporting organisations. Organisers believe the event will play a key role in defining the future commercial landscape of women’s sport in Australia and beyond.

The summit’s relocation to Adelaide reflects South Australia’s growing reputation as a hub for major sporting events, innovation, and leadership. Organisers have committed to hosting the event in the city for the next five years, reinforcing the region’s position in the global sports economy.

Founded by the Ministry of Sport, the summit is evolving beyond traditional industry discussions and moving towards a model focused on commercial acceleration. The event will unite international executives, institutional investors, elite athletes, and leading corporate brands under one platform to identify opportunities that can drive long-term value across the sector.

According to the Ministry of Sport's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ben Parsons, women’s sport in Australia has reached a significant commercial milestone. He noted that the summit exists to bring together the leaders, brands, and investors who will shape the next stage of development and growth.

The programme has been designed to examine every stage of the women’s sport ecosystem, ranging from grassroots participation and talent development to elite performance, sports science, and capital investment.

The event will begin with Futures Day, which focuses on career pathways and opportunities for students looking to build careers within the sports industry. The second day will feature the Performance Forum, an accredited gathering of high-performance coaches, sports scientists, and medical professionals discussing the latest developments in athlete performance and wellbeing.

Day three will host the Leadership Summit, where executives, marketers, media rights experts, and venture capitalists will analyse strategies for generating new revenue streams, scaling sporting properties, and creating sustainable investment models. The final day will conclude with the WISS Barossa Leadership Experience, a dedicated networking programme aimed at fostering long-term business relationships and potential joint ventures.

The summit is expected to attract a diverse audience, including students, athletes, sporting organisations, sponsors, and investors. Participants will gain valuable insights into commercial opportunities, emerging trends, and innovative approaches that can help accelerate the growth of women’s sport.

Supported by Business Events Adelaide and the South Australian Government, the Women in Sport Summit 2026 is poised to become a significant platform for industry collaboration, investment, and leadership, helping shape a stronger and more sustainable future for women’s sport on the global stage.