This September, more than 40,000 professionals from across the global betting and gaming industry will gather at Lisbon’s Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) and MEO Arena for SBC Summit 2026 and the Affiliate Leaders Summit 2026.
For many attendees, networking will be a key priority, with operators, affiliates, regulators, suppliers, payment specialists, and media professionals from across the globe coming together under one roof.
But at events of this scale, valuable networking needs structure, not luck.
That’s why we’ve made structured networking a key pillar of both SBC Summit and the Affiliate Leaders Summit 2026, introducing five new daytime networking formats, alongside our evening networking parties, to ensure delegates make more targeted and commercially valuable connections throughout the event.
Before we explore each format in more detail, here’s a quick overview of what’s on offer:
Structured Networking at a Glance
- SBC Connect Meets – Book 1-to-1 meetings with delegates before the event
- Speed networking – Meet dozens of relevant industry contacts in under an hour
- Regulatory Meetups – Join regulators, legal experts, compliance specialists, operators, and affiliates for discussions around the future of gaming regulation across global markets.
- Show Floor Tours – Guided tours designed to introduce operators to relevant exhibitors and solution providers
- Smart Connect – An exclusive curated experience designed to connect buyers and suppliers for pre-qualified meetings
SBC Connect Meets
SBC Connect Meets gives you the opportunity to book 1-2-1 meetings before the event. This means whether you’re attending SBC Summit, the Affiliate Leaders Summit, or both, you’ll arrive with meetings already in the diary, rather than relying on chance encounters on the show floor.
Using SBC Connect, our dedicated event app, Networking, Business, and VIP Pass holders can browse all registered attendees, message them, and arrange meetings to take place at the event.
Meetings will take place in 15 or 30-minute slots at the SBC Connect Lounge (CR1 at SBC Summit and F741 at the Affiliate Leaders Summit). Conveniently located within the heart of each event, the lounges provide easy access to conference sessions, the exhibition floor, and your scheduled meetings.
SBC Connect Meets are ideal for attendees who:
- Want to secure meetings before arriving on-site
- Prefer structured networking over spontaneous intros
- Have specific companies or decision-makers they want to meet
- Want to maximise ROI from their time at the event
How do I book an SBC Connect Meet?
SBC Connect goes live on 24 August, giving you four full weeks to start booking meetings before the event.
Available on both phone and desktop, the platform lets you secure conversations before you even arrive.
You can activate your SBC Connect account and download the app on iOS and Android here.
When will the meetings take place?
You can meet when the show floor is open across all three days of the event. Here are the meeting windows:
- Tuesday, 29 September, 10:00 – 18:00
- Wednesday, 30 September 10:00 – 18:00
- Thursday, 1 October 10:00 – 18:00
Who Can Access SBC Connect Meets?
Both SBC Summit and the Affiliate Leaders Summit have their own dedicated version of SBC Connect. All ticket holders will have access to their event’s Connect app, but the features available will depend on the type of pass you hold.
SBC Summit Attendees
All SBC Summit ticket holders will have basic access to the SBC Summit Connect app, allowing them to view the agenda, floor plan, exhibitor list, and event information.
Networking, Business, and VIP Pass holders will receive advanced access, enabling them to initiate chats, send meeting requests, and connect with other attendees up to four weeks before the event begins.
Attendees with basic access can still respond to inbound messages and accept meeting requests but cannot initiate conversations or requests themselves.
Affiliate Leaders Summit Attendees
All Affiliate Leaders Summit ticket holders will receive advanced access to the Affiliate Leaders Summit Connect app. This includes access to the agenda, floor plan, exhibitor list, and event information, as well as the ability to initiate chats, send meeting requests, and connect with other attendees up to four weeks before the event.
Speed Networking
Our speed networking sessions are designed to allow delegates to make dozens of connections in under an hour.
Each session will be based around a specific industry topic, meaning you can connect with the people who share the same business goals as you.
How does Speed Networking Work?
The format is simple. Choose your themed session, take your seat, and get ready to move. When the buzzer sounds, the conversation starts. A few minutes to introduce yourself, communicate your value, and identify potential opportunities before rotating to the next connection.
No long-winded pitches. No wasted time. Just sharp, high-impact conversations with professionals actively looking to connect.
In just one hour, you can meet over a dozen new contacts, opening the door to fresh partnerships, new clients, business opportunities, and perspectives you may never have encountered otherwise.
Speed Networking is ideal for attendees who:
- Want to expand their network quickly
- Prefer structured networking over chance encounters
- Value efficiency and high-volume introductions
- Are looking to connect outside their usual circles
How Do I Sign Up for Speed Networking?
You can book in for our Speed Networking sessions once the SBC Connect App goes live on 24 August.
You’ll also be able to express your interest in our Speed Networking sessions through our registration form, which will be released soon. Check this page for updates.
What Topics Will Be Discussed?
Expect sessions covering the most pressing issues in gaming, from emerging technology, start-ups, and player protection, to marketing, payment compliance, and market-specific developments across Europe, Latin America, North America, and beyond.
Who Can Access Speed Networking?
Only VIP, Networking, and Business Pass holders can attend our Speed Networking sessions.
Regulatory Gaming Meetups
SBC Summit’s Regulatory Gaming Meetups connect delegates with the regulators, legal experts, and industry stakeholders shaping the markets most relevant to their business.
Focused on individual markets and evolving regulatory frameworks, these meetups offer attendees direct access to the figures influencing compliance, licensing, taxation and policy developments across global gaming
The Summit’s Regulatory Meetups have been created in collaboration with the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) and the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), ensuring attendees have access to some of the industry’s leading legal and regulatory experts from around the world.
All meetups will take place in the dedicated Regulatory Gaming Meetup Lounge (F4-17)
How the Meetups Work
With a minimum of 21 meetups taking place daily, attendees can choose from a wide range of regional and industry-focused gatherings across Europe, LATAM, North America, Africa, the Nordics, Eurasia, and beyond.
Regulatory Meetups taking place across the week include:
- Emirates Regulatory Gaming Meetup (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, RAK) – Tuesday, 29 September
- LATAM & Brazil Regulatory Gaming Cocktail Hour – Tuesday, 29 September
- Africa Regulatory Gaming Cocktail Hour – Tuesday, 29 September
- Nordics & Baltics Regulatory Gaming Meetup (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) – Wednesday, 30 September
- UK Regulatory Gaming Meetup (UK, Ireland, Gibraltar, Alderney & Isle of Man) – Wednesday, 30 Septmeber
Whether you’re entering a new market, expanding your regional network, or looking to stay close to regulatory developments, there’s a session built for your niche.
Our Regulatory Meetups are Ideal for Attendees Who:
- Want to meet regulators, legal experts, and professionals from specific jurisdictions
- Want to connect with professionals from specific regions or markets
- Are exploring expansion opportunities into new jurisdictions
- Want to stay informed on regulatory conversations and market developments
- Prefer focused networking with relevant industry peers
- Are looking to build stronger international connections
How Do I Sign Up for a Meetup?
You can view the full range of meet-ups on offer and express your interest in attending one via this form. Closer to the event, you will also be able to sign up for a Regulatory Meetup using SBC Connect.
Who Can Attend a Meetup?
Meet-ups are available exclusively for VIP, Business, and Networking Pass holders.
Show Floor Tours
With hundreds of exhibitors across 130,000sqm of expo space, the Show Floor Tours are designed to connect attendees with the companies, technologies, and conversations most relevant to their business.
Led by the SBC team, each guided tour follows a specific industry focus, introducing attendees to key exhibitors, emerging solutions, and valuable leads across the show floor.
Each tour is built around a dedicated theme. Although specific themes are yet to be finalised, you can expect tours focused on the key areas of global gaming and betting, such as
- AI
- Payments
- Casino Games
- Platform & Aggregator
- Sportsbooks
- Marketing Tech & CRM
- Fintech
- Compliance
- Crash Games
Tours will take place on Tuesday, 29 September and Wednesday, 30 September, with exact timings still to be announced.
Our Show Floor Tours are Ideal for Attendees Who:
- Want direct access to relevant exhibitors and solution providers
- Are looking to discover new products, tech and partnerships
- Want a more focused and strategic experience
- Are new to the industry or exploring new sectors
How Do I Sign Up?
Attendees will be able to sign up for a tour via the SBC Connect app, which goes live on 24 August.
Who Can Access Show Floor Tours?
Show Floor Tours are available exclusively for VIP, Business, and Networking Pass holders.
Smart Connect
Designed to connect operators and suppliers through targeted introductions, Smart Connect is a dedicated matchmaking service for SBC Summit and the Affiliate Leaders Summit, helping attendees find the business partners and solution providers best suited to their commercial needs.
For operators, this allows you to cut out the noise of endless inbound meeting requests and focus on pre-qualified conversations with suppliers that align with your business needs and strategic priorities.
And for suppliers, Smart Connect allows you to get in front of the right operators for your business solution, prioritising quality over quantity.
How it Works
Operators can apply to join the Smart Connect Programme on 1 June. Apply here.
Suppliers can enroll in Smart Connect by contacting [email protected].
When Will Smart Connect Take Place?
Smart Connect networking will take place on all three days of the event in the SBC Connect Lounge.
Evening Networking Opportunities
While our daytime networking offers you the chance to make pre-qualified and structured connections, our evening networking events make room for spontaneity and allow you to meet delegates in a more relaxed environment.
Here’s a look at the evening networking opportunities on offer:
SBC Summit Opening Party
Tuesday, 29 September | Pavilhão Carlos Lopes, Parque| 20:00 – 02:00
The perfect way to cap off the first day of the event and build connections away from the show floor.
Hosted at Pavilhão Carlos Lopes within Lisbon’s iconic Parque Eduardo VII, the Opening Party offers an evening of complimentary drinks, entertainment, and networking in a more relaxed setting.
INFINITY Lisbon
Thursday, 1 October | MEO Arena | 20:00 – 03:00
Now in its third year, INFINITY Lisbon has become one of the standout social events of SBC Summit week, known for delivering a Tomorrowland-style experience for attendees from across the global betting and gaming industry.
This year’s edition will be headlined by internationally renowned DJ Tiësto, bringing high-energy sets and festival-scale production to SBC Summit and the Affiliate Leaders Summit’s official closing party.
Designed as both a celebration and a networking experience, INFINITY Lisbon combines world-class music, immersive production, and a packed international crowd, creating an atmosphere where conversations, partnerships, and industry relationships continue long after the conference floor closes.
Who Can Attend Our Networking Parties?
To access both the Opening Party and the INFINITY Lisbon, you’ll need a VIP or Networking pass.
Other Pass holders can upgrade to a party pass, which gains you access to the INFINITY Party only. To do so, email [email protected] after purchasing your ticket.
SBC Awards
Thursday 1st October | 18:30 – 23:30 | MEO Arena
Now in its thirteenth year, the SBC Awards is where the very best in betting and gaming come together to celebrate the industry’s outstanding achievements.
The awards recognise operators and suppliers across all major sectors of the industry, including payments, marketing, platform technology, data, affiliation, and player engagement.
Held as a black-tie evening, attendees can expect a champagne reception, three-course dinner, live entertainment, and appearances from high-profile hosts, creating an atmosphere that combines industry recognition with premium networking opportunities.
How Do I Attend?
Tickets for the SBC Awards must be purchased separately and can be found on the SBC Awards website.
Affiliate Leaders Awards
30th September | 19:30 – 23:30 | MEO Arena
Launched in 2025, the Affiliate Leaders Awards celebrate the affiliates, affiliate programmes, and industry professionals driving growth, innovation, and performance across the global betting and gaming industry.
The awards recognise excellence across key areas of affiliation, including content, SEO, media, social, streaming, and affiliate programme management, with 20 categories available to win on the night.
Held at Lisbon’s MEO Arena, attendees can expect an evening of celebration, entertainment, premium hospitality, and networking alongside many of the biggest names in the affiliate industry.
For both operators and affiliates, the awards provide an excellent opportunity to network with some of the industry’s biggest names and build valuable commercial relationships.
How Do I Attend?
Tickets for the Affiliate Leaders Awards must be purchased separately and can be found here.
Final Thoughts
At an event bringing together more than 40,000 professionals from across the global betting and gaming industry, successful networking depends on more than chance encounters.
Whether through pre-arranged meetings, speed networking sessions, regional regulatory discussions, curated show floor tours, or premium matchmaking opportunities, SBC Summit 2026 and the Affiliate Leaders Summit are designed to help delegates spend less time searching for opportunities and more time building commercially valuable relationships.
And when the conference agenda ends, the networking continues through a packed evening programme designed to bring the industry together in a more relaxed and social environment.
