In case you missed the memo, SBC’s flagship event is swapping Barcelona for the breathtaking atmosphere of Lisbon starting 2024.
As well as a new location, the upcoming Lisbon-based event will also sport a new title! To better reflect the global nature of the event, we thought we would drop ‘Lisbon’ and rebrand the event to SBC Summit instead.
Catchy right?
Now, some of you might be wondering; with a literal world of possibilities, why Lisbon? What sets Lisbon apart and makes this location the prime choice for the upcoming SBC Summit?
Well, dear readers, in this blog post, we shall explore precisely that.
NEW VENUE & BIGGER FLOOR SPACE
In 2023, SBC witnessed record-breaking numbers for SBC Summit Barcelona, with over 15,000 industry professionals in attendance.
But in true SBC fashion, ambition never rests, and therefore the upcoming SBC Summit will be held at the iconic Feira Internacional de Lisboa (but let’s just refer to it as FIL for now).
This iconic venue has laid host to major events such as the Web Summit, The ECAR SHOW, and Tecnipão (yes, they have a dedicated sweet convention in Portugal) and is the ideal venue to expand our leading global event.
Moving to Lisbon and situating the event at the FIL has presented an amazing opportunity to cater to even more industry professionals, with the expanded venue capacity now set to accommodate 25,000 attendees! This diverse audience will include operators, affiliates, sportsbook and casino suppliers, regulators, payment providers, marketing agencies, associations, legal advisors, start-ups, and more.
And it isn’t just an enhanced number of attendees that have got us so excited, SBC Summit will also feature 100,000 square metres of exhibition and conference space, which is more than two and a half times the size of the 2023 venue!
What does this increase in floor space mean?
Well, it means the exhibition floor will now provide a platform for 600 global and regional brands to showcase the latest innovative technologies, industry-leading services, and cutting-edge games.
Additionally, this increased floor space has provided us with the opportunity to enhance some of your favourite zones such as the sports betting, casino & iGaming and player protection zones and add a brand-new media zone.
And to top it off? The expanded floor space has also allowed us to introduce three specialised summits focusing on vital industry verticals: Affiliate Leaders, ESI Lisbon, and Payment Expert.
Want to know more about our brand-spanking new summits? Check out our dedicated blog post here.
SEAMLESS TRAVEL
Travelling to events can be stressful, we understand.
Booking flights, making sure you get to the airport on time, and ensuring you have enough movies and TV shows to watch whilst in the air can be a lot 😀
You can relax knowing that Lisbon is one of the easiest locations in Europe to fly to!
With direct flights from 49 countries and 126 cities, Lisbon emerged like an ideal location for such a global event.
TOP TIP: Want to avoid registration queues on Tuesday? No problem! You can register and pick up your badge for SBC Summit, as soon as you land at Lisbon airport! Just follow the displayed signs at arrivals and enter the first day of SBC Summit with ease!
View the list of direct flights to Lisbon by clicking the link below/here:
https://www.directflights.com/to/LIS
ACCESS TO SURROUNDING PORTUGAL
Once you are in Lisbon, the seamless travel doesn’t stop there!
Situated in the heart of Portugal, Lisbon provides the perfect platform to explore the surrounding areas after your time at SBC Summit.
Enjoying an average of 300 sunfilled days each year, and the temperature in September a very comfortable 26.6°C (79.88°F), this is an ideal opportunity to take advantage of the many beautiful and exciting Portuguese locations only a few hours away from the Portuguese capital!
Incredible destinations awaiting your arrival include:
- Sintra: Home to palaces, forests, villas, and ruins.
- Ericeira: A traditional Portuguese fishing village and local surf spot
- Óbidos: A medieval town where you can also try the famous ginja.
- Berlengas Islands: A scenic selection of islands home to monks, pirates, and fishermen.
HOTELS & EXCLUSIVE RATES
You have just finished your first day at an industry event, you have clocked 12k steps, barely had a bite to eat and you have an hour until an important networking event.
Then it hits you, your hotel is a 45-minute drive from the event.
A familiar disaster right?
Well not at SBC Summit!
With over 25,250 hotel rooms available across 270 hotels, you can REST assured, you will have a lavish hotel experience, no more than 15 minutes from the venue.
And the cherry on top?
If you book your stay with our official hotel booking partner LEADING, you can receive exclusive rates and discounts of up to 50%!
Discover all the hotels on offer with SBC and LEADING by clicking here.
SBC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE BENFICA GROUND
We love sports. Especially football.
So you can imagine our excitement when Lisbon was chosen as the location for the upcoming SBC Summit, giving us the perfect opportunity to hold our SBC Football Championship at the legendary Benfica ground!
This once-in-a-lifetime experience will see 20 teams of Sports Betting and iGaming professionals battle it out for the SBC Football Championships 2024 trophy.
So why is Benfica such an important club in football history?
Benfica (Sport Lisboa e Benfica), is widely regarded as one of the ‘Big Three’ Portuguese clubs and are current champions of the Portuguese league. Over the years the club have acquired footballing talents such as Raúl Jiménez, Bernardo Silva, Ederson and David Luiz and is the most decorated club in Portugal.
Since their inception in 1904, they have won 86 major trophies, including 83 domestic trophies, the Latin Cup in 1950 and back-to-back European Cups in 1961 and 1962.
However, Lisbon is not only home to one iconic football club…
Located only 11km down the road from Benfica, are their fierce rivals Sporting Clube de Portugal (Sporting CP/ Sporting Lisbon). Founded in 1906, Sporting Lisbon is also considered one of the “Big Three” clubs in Portugal, having never been relegated from Primeira Liga.
Over the years they have acquired some of the top talents in world football, including THE Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Bruno Fernandes, João Moutinho and Luis Figo. The club have achieved 54 major trophies, including 19 domestic League titles and won the 1963–64 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
(Note: Due to high demands, the SBC Football Championship is strictly invite only, however, spectators may attend.)
Additionally, keep in mind that SBC Summit is taking place 24-26 September. This is prime European football season, so keep an eye out for those 2024/25 fixture lists and conclude your stay in Lisbon in football heaven!
AMAZING CUISINE
Whilst everyone knows Lisbon for its incredible array of pastéis de nata, over the years Lisbon has emerged as one of the go-to destinations in Europe, for all self-confessed ‘foodies’.
What makes Lisbon’s culinary culture so unique is its wide array of both street food and higher-class dining experiences.
For those of you seeking homemade comforts, snacks and the offering of some of Lisbon’s most adored restaurants, head down to the ‘Time Out Market’. The market features 26 restaurants, 8 bars, a music venue, and is also home to some of the city’s most well-known and oldest market vendors of meat, fish, fruit and flowers.
For those of you seeking a more lavish dining experience, you are in luck.
Out of the 38 Michelin-star restaurants in Portugal, 12 of them are situated in Lisbon!
So if you’re eager to taste the intricate delicacies of SÁLA de João Sá, or soak up the beautiful views whilst dining at BAHR, there will be something for every food connoisseur during your time at Lisbon.
View the full listing of Michelin-starred restaurants here.
NIGHTLIFE
Beyond the amazing array of culinary delights, historical landmarks and football rivalries, Lisbon’s nightlife is fast becoming one of Europe’s most exciting, innovative and fun scenes.
Whether you want to indulge in fruity cocktails, listen to live music or simply dance the night away, the hustle and bustle of Lisbon nightlife will cater to all.
Making life even easier is the fact most of Lisbon’s most iconic clubs and bars can be found in four areas:
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- Pink Street: Situated quite literally on a painted pink street, this trendy street, which was once Lisbon’s red light district is a party hotspot. Pink Street features a plethora of bars and clubs, including the famous Pensão Amor (a former brothel) and the club Music Box.
- Bairro Alto: Bairro Alto is one of the most iconic and biggest neighbourhoods in Lisbon to party the night away, with over 100 bars and restaurants. It will also be the location of our Payments VIP Dinner and Networking party, taking place at the beautiful Cervejaria Trindade.
- Principe Real: Located next to Bairro Alto, Principe Real is the ideal spot for a classier night out, with live music venues, cocktail bars and the unique Pavilhão Chinês bar.
- Alfama: If you are looking for a more chilled-out vibe, then make sure to head on over to the historic neighbourhood of Alfama, where you can soak up the city alongside a local bottle of wine.
CREATING HISTORY IN A HISTORIC CITY
Lisbon holds the title of the second-oldest European capital after Athens, making it one of the oldest and most exciting cities in the world to explore!
With a history rich in antiquity, this capital predates many other modern European capitals by centuries, its roots tracing back to pre-Celtic tribes and later Phoenician settlers around 1200 BC.
Notably, it was a favoured destination of Julius Caesar, who made it a miracidium called Felicitas Julia Olissipo between 31 BC and 27 BC. However, its most influential ruler was King Manuel I of Portugal, who helped establish Lisbon as one of the epicentres of Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries, marking a significant era in the city’s history.
With Lisbon home to some of the world’s most interesting historical sites, such as the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, the city will provide a host of exciting and unique day trips for your time away from the event.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Lisbon is one of the most beautiful, exciting and culturally rich cities in the world.
Having SBC Summit take place in Lisbon’s Feira Internacional de Lisboa, has allowed us to build upon the amazing SBC experience you have come to expect, with an increased capacity, expanded exhibition floor and unparalleled networking events.
However, what is arguably just as important, is the backdrop Lisbon provides for you as attendees. With accessible travel routes, unique and tantalizing food and nightlife options, beautiful weather and being home to not one, but two European footballing giants; Lisbon provides much more than a simple event location.
So whether you are attending simply to enhance your knowledge of the current industry landscape, or extending your stay to soak in everything the city of Lisbon has to offer, we guarantee you will have an unforgettable experience!