One Week to Go! Your Complete Guide to SBC Summit 2026

In just over a week, 40,000 industry professionals will descend on Lisbon for SBC Summit 2026 and the Affiliate Leaders Summit.

And whether you are an SBC veteran or this is your first time joining us,  there’s a lot to get to grips with this year. From new event areas and networking formats to creating your own schedule for the week, there’s plenty to explore and a few things worth knowing before you arrive.

So, rather than give you another list of everything happening in Lisbon, this guide focuses on what you actually need to know: where to be, what to plan and how to make the most of your three days.

From badges, opening hours and getting around the event to SBC Connect, ticket access and the things you really shouldn’t miss, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s start with the essentials.

SBC Summit at a glance 

• Date: 29 September – 1 October 2026.
• Location: Feira Internacional de Lisboa & MEO Arena.
• Audience: 40,000 delegates from over 150 countries.
• Show floor: 800 exhibitors and sponsors across four halls. 
• Conference & Education: 600 speakers, five conference stages, the Super Stage, Tech Academies and masterclasses.
• Networking: Structured networking experiences, opening party, INFINITY Lisbon, VIP dinners and award ceremonies. 
• Alongside SBC Summit: Affiliate Leaders Summit, the Global Prediction Markets Forum and the African Gaming Forum.

What’s new in 2026? 

If you have attended SBC Summit before, don’t assume you already know the lay of the land. 

This year brings a variety of new features, from standalone events to new stages and networking opportunities, all worth understanding so you don’t miss out. 

Affiliate Leaders Summit

For the first time, the Affiliate Leaders Summit will operate as a standalone event alongside SBC Summit, bringing 10,000 affiliates, operator-affiliate teams and performance marketing professionals together for SBC’s largest-ever gathering dedicated to the affiliate sector.

Built specifically for the affiliation and performance marketing ecosystem, the summit creates a dedicated environment for new partnerships, traffic and acquisition opportunities, and conversations around the strategies and technologies driving growth, supported by its own exhibition floor and two-stage conference programme.

Read more about the Affiliate Leaders Summit here. A separate ticket is required to attend.

Dedicated forums for Africa and prediction markets

Two other major industry conversations are also getting their own stand-alone events this year.

The invite-only African Gaming Forum will bring regulators, operators and stakeholders together to explore the regulatory, commercial and operational realities of gaming across Africa.

Meanwhile, the Global Prediction Markets Forum brings industry leaders together to explore how prediction markets have evolved, where they fit within the wider industry and, importantly, where they could go next. Get your tickets here. 

Product Innovation Showcase Stage

The new  Product Innovation Showcase Stage brings live product demonstrations, launches and emerging technology directly to the conference stage. 

Across the three days, it will also host the dedicated Investments conference track and the return of First Pitch, where five startups will compete for a prize package worth €139,400.

You can learn more about the Product Innovation Showcase Stage here. 

Structured networking

Networking is a crucial aspect of any industry event. Which is why, in 2026, SBC Summit has introduced five new structured networking formats, helping you meet the right people in a way and environment that best suits your style.

These include Speed Networking, Show Floor Tours, Smart Connect, SBC Connect Meets and Regulatory Gaming Meetups. 

• Speed Networking: four fast-paced sessions where you can meet dozens of relevant contacts in a short period of time.
• Show Floor Tours: eight guided tours connecting attendees with exhibitors grouped around themes such as AI in Gaming, Casino and Sports Betting, making it easier to discover companies aligned with your interests.
• Smart Connect: curated one-to-one meetings between buyers and sellers based on commercial priorities, product fit and market focus.
• SBC Connect Meets: allows eligible attendees to search for registered delegates, filter by company type and industry sector, and send meeting requests weeks before the event through the SBC Connect app. (Outreach capabilities are exclusive to VIP, Networking & Business Pass holders.)
• Regulatory Gaming Meetups: 20 distinct meetups, bringing together regulators, operators and market leaders to examine the policy changes, developments and growth opportunities shaping specific markets.

Read more about the new networking features here.
Want to avoid networking mistakes? Read our dedicated blog here. 

Expanded Academy & Masterclass programme

For those who want to build on the lessons gained on the conference agenda, our expanded line-up of Tech Academies and masterclasses offers a hands-on learning experience to actively develop skills they can take back to the office. 

Tech Academies cover AI, Player Experience, Web3 & Crypto and Digital Marketing and CRM, whilst our masterclasses focus on sportsbook trading, casino operations and responsible marketing. 

Festival Square

Located beside the main SBC Summit entrance, Festival Square gives you somewhere to step away from the busy show floor without stepping away from the action.

With themed bars, lounges, seating and live entertainment, it also stays open beyond show floor hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, giving you another place to keep conversations going into the evening.

Here’s what you’ll find there:

• Cocktail bar
• Beer Garden
• Shisha Bar & Lounge
• Piano Bar
• Wine Bar

Find out more about Festival Square here. 

Understanding the foundation of SBC Summit: the five pillars

There’s no single reason to attend SBC Summit. You might be coming to understand what’s changing in the industry, build new skills, find a solution to a business challenge, meet potential partners or simply spend three days surrounded by the people shaping global gaming.

That’s why SBC Summit is built around five key pillars, each playing a different role in turning three days in Lisbon into real business value.

• Conference | Understand what’s next: Hear from 600+ industry experts covering regulation and compliance, global and emerging markets, technology, payments, product innovation and more. 
• Education | Build practical skills: Take part in Tech Academies and masterclasses, designed around hands-on learning. 
• Exhibition | Discover the right solutions: Explore 800 exhibitors and sponsors across the show floor, with dedicated areas covering sports betting, casino & iGaming, payments, player protection, startups, as well as the Affiliate Leaders Summit exhibition.
• Networking | Meet the people who matter: Connect through dedicated networking lounges and structured experiences, VIP dinners and award ceremonies
• Experience | Enjoy everything around the business: Take a well-earned break at Festival Square and Food Festival, as well as the SBC Summit Opening Party (featuring The Script) and INFINITY Lisbon (featuring Tiësto).

Read more about our five pillars here. 

Getting around SBC Summit: the practical stuff

Nobody wants to spend precious time searching for an entrance, standing in a badge queue or trying to work out how to get from one end of the venue to the other.

With this in mind, here are the practical details worth knowing.

🎟️ Get your badge early

One of the easiest ways to save time on opening morning is to collect your badge before Tuesday.

Lisbon Airport badge collection:

• Sunday, 27 September: 09:00–23:00
• Monday, 28 September: 06:30–23:00
• Tuesday, 29 September: 06:30–23:00
• Wednesday, 30 September: 06:30–15:00

Already in Lisbon? You can collect your badge at the venue on Monday, 28 September from 12:00–20:00.

Top Tip: To speed up badge pickup, have your registration confirmation email or QR code ready to scan. 

Find full badge collection information here.

🕙 Know your opening times

SBC Summit will be open to attendees:

• Tuesday, 29 September: 10:00–18:00
• Wednesday, 30 September: 10:00–18:00
• Thursday, 1 October: 10:00–17:00

Exhibiting? You can access the venue from 08:00 each day.

📍 Make sure you use the right entrance

SBC Summit and the Affiliate Leaders Summit take place across Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) and the MEO Arena, and there are different entrances depending on where you’re heading.

The main SBC Summit registration area is located beside the main FIL entrance (next to the MEO Arena), with a second registration point nearby to reduce queues during busy periods.

Heading to the Affiliate Leaders Summit? It has its own dedicated entrance and registration area at the other end of the venue, exclusively for Affiliate Leaders Summit attendees.

It’s worth checking the floor plan before your first morning rather than discovering you’re at the wrong entrance, with a meeting starting in five minutes.

🚶 Give yourself time to get around

SBC Summit is big, so don’t schedule every meeting and conference session back-to-back.

The main exhibition spans four halls within FIL, with two major areas at opposite ends of the venue: the MEO Arena, home of the Super Stage, sits at the south end beside the main SBC Summit entrance, while the Affiliate Leaders Summit is at the north end, beyond Hall 4.

If your day takes you between different halls, the Affiliate Leaders Summit or the MEO Arena, leave some breathing room between appointments, particularly during busy periods.

🚌 Getting to and from FIL

Four complimentary shuttle routes will operate across all three event days, picking attendees up from:

• Campo Pequeno: VIP Grand Lisboa Hotel & Spa
• Marquês de Pombal: Locke de Santa Joana
• Baixa/Martim Moniz: Hotel Mundial
• Sete Rios: Serving the area around Corinthia Lisbon Hotel, Hotel Açores Lisboa, SANA Metropolitan and Lisbon Marriott Hotel

All routes drop attendees beside the ibis Lisboa Parque das Nações, near Registration 1.

The service is available to SBC Summit and Affiliate Leaders Summit attendees. Just have proof of your ticket ready, either through your confirmation email or event badge.

Prefer a taxi or Bolt? Designated drop-off points are available at the Affiliate Leaders Summit entrance at the north end of FIL and Registration 1 at the south end.

🍔 Grabbing a bite at the Food Festival 

No need to leave the event when hunger strikes. The Food Festival brings together dozens of food and drink options, with dietary requirements catered for, plus seating and live music.

Have a VIP Event Pass? You’ll receive a complimentary Food Festival card loaded with €30 per day to spend throughout the event.

🙋 Need help?

If you have a question about the event or need assistance, there are a few places to turn throughout the week. 

• Onsite: SBC staff and support teams will be positioned throughout the venue and at the SBC Booth (B813). Exhibitors can also visit the dedicated Exhibitor Helpdesk (HD) between Halls 1 and 2, behind the Startup Hub.
• Bruna: Our new 24/7 digital concierge can answer event questions in real time through WhatsApp. Save Bruna’s contact now: +1 352 768 0805.
• Online: The SBC website’s Live Chat connects you directly with the team for help with registration, the agenda, networking, SBC Connect and other event questions.

Not to be missed throughout the week

Your own priorities will depend on why you’re attending, but there are a few moments worth keeping firmly on the radar.

🏀 Tuesday 29 September: Michael Jordan and The Script

From 12:00–13:00, basketball icon, investor, and philanthropist Michael Jordan, Sportradar founder and CEO Carsten Koerl, and DraftKings co-founder and CEO Jason Robins take to the Super Stage for the session Leadership in Sports Business, one of the biggest conversations of the week.

In the evening, chart-topping pop/rock outfit The Script headline the SBC Summit Opening Party, taking place at Pavilhão Carlos Lopes from 20:00–02:00.

Explore Tuesday’s programme here.

🥊 Wednesday 30 September: Charles Oliveira

Former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira takes to the Super Stage for the session Record Success: Leadership in Sports with Charles Oliveira, offering his personal perspective on leadership, preparation and performing under pressure.

Explore Wednesday’s programme here.

🚀 Thursday 1 October: First Pitch and Tiësto

Don’t treat Thursday like a half-day.

At 15:00 on the Product Innovation Showcase Stage, five startups will compete in the SBC First Pitch competition for a prize package worth €139,400!

In the evening, EDM legend Tiësto closes out the week at INFINITY Lisbon, at the MEO Arena, alongside Blasterjaxx, Mikas, Marc Vedo and KEVU, from 20:00-3:30.

Explore Thursday’s programme here.

Before you make plans: check your pass

Not every SBC Summit experience is open to every attendee, so before filling your schedule, make sure you know what your pass gives you access to.

This year’s SBC Summit ticket options include Expo, Conference, Networking, Business and VIP Event Pass, alongside a dedicated Affiliate Leaders Summit VIP Event Pass.

Each comes with different levels of access across the conference, networking programme, lounges, parties and other event experiences. So, before adding something to your must-do list, check the access requirements and register early where needed.

Here’s what to look out for:

• 🎤 SBC Summit Conference: Available with Conference, Business, SBC Summit VIP Event pass, and Affiliate Leaders Summit VIP Event passes.
• 📚 Affiliate Leaders Conference: Available exclusively to Affiliate Leaders Summit VIP Event pass holders.
• 🏟️ Super Stage: Included with Conference, Business, SBC Summit VIP Event pass and Affiliate Leaders Summit VIP Event passes. Alternatively, access with a Super Stage Pass or Super Stage Golden Circle Pass (for premium seating) through SBC Connect.
• 🎓 Tech Academies: Requires an Education+ upgrade (€249) (per academy) and advance selection of your chosen academy through SBC Connect.
• 🤝 Structured Networking: Available to Business, Networking and SBC Summit VIP Event pass holders, with advance registration required.
• 🌍 African Gaming Forum: Invite-only.
• 📈 Global Prediction Markets Forum: Requires a separate ticket. Purchase yours here.
• 🏆 Awards: The SBC Awards and Affiliate Leaders Awards are separately ticketed. SBC Awards Tickets |  Affiliate Leaders Awards tickets. 
• 🎧 INFINITY Lisbon: Included with Networking, Business, SBC Summit VIP Event pass, and Affiliate Leaders Summit VIP Event pass holders, with a Party Pass upgrade available to other eligible attendees.

Still unsure? Check the full ticket range on the SBC Summit website here. 

How to build your own SBC Summit schedule 

With so much happening across the week, trying to plan everything once you arrive is a quick way to miss something. 

SBC Connect brings your meetings, conference sessions, networking activities, exhibitors and event navigation together in one place, helping you turn three busy days into a schedule built around what actually matters to you.

The goal is simple: arrive in Lisbon with meetings booked, sessions saved, networking experiences registered for and a clear plan for your three days.

Here’s how to get started:

• 🤝 Start the conversation early. Depending on your pass, you can browse and filter the attendee list, message potential partners, and arrange meetings before Lisbon. Meetings can take place in the SBC Connect Lounge (CR1), while exhibitors host meetings directly at their stands. Learn more here.
• 🎤 Save your must-see sessions. Browse the conference agenda and add your favourite sessions directly to your personal schedule. 
• 📍 Know where you’re going. Use the interactive floor plan to find exhibitors, stages, networking spaces and Food Festival areas.
• 📝 Register for networking. Reserve eligible Speed Networking sessions, Regulatory Gaming Meet-Ups and Guided Show Floor Tours to ensure you never miss a networking moment (subject to ticket eligibility). 
• 🎟️ Upgrade your experience. Purchase available add-ons through SBC Connect, including Tech Academies, Super Stage and Infinity Lisbon access.

Remember: SBC Summit and Affiliate Leaders Summit have their own versions within the app, so make sure you’re planning for the right event.

Download SBC Connect on the App Store or Google Play. 

Want to see some examples? We recently created personalised mock schedules for operators, casino professionals, marketers, payment specialists and sports betting experts. 

Essential links before you arrive

No one wants to spend time at the event searching online or having 15 tabs open. Bookmark these pages now, and you’ll have the essentials covered:

• 📅 Event Schedule: View the times and dates for everything happening across the event. 
• Official Conference Agenda: Check sessions, speakers, stages and timings.
• 📍 Show Floor & Exhibitor List: Find exhibitors and familiarise yourself with the venue before arriving.
• 🤝 Networking Overview: Explore our full programme of daytime and evening networking opportunities. 
• 🎓 Education+: Explore Tech Academies
• 🎟️ Ticket Options and Upgrades: Double-check exactly what your pass gives you access to. Alternatively, check this page where you can compare tickets.
• 🚌 Plan Your Trip: Travel, venue and other practical information.
• 💬Live Chat: Get support before or during the event.

Other FAQs

• Can I access Affiliate Leaders Summit with my SBC Summit pass?
  No. Affiliate Leaders Summit is a standalone event this year and requires its own ticket.
• Is Payment Expert Summit separate?
  No. Payment Expert Summit sits within SBC Summit and does not require a separate event ticket.
• How can I tell who is an operator, affiliate or supplier?
  Take a look at their badge. Attendee badges are colour-coded, making it easier to spot who you’re looking for on the show floor.
  🟠 operators
  🟣 affiliates
  🔵 all other attendee types 
• Does the event have free Wi-FI?
  Yes, and we’ve made it particularly easy to access: the password is printed on the front of your badge.
• Where can I find the latest information during the event?
  Start with SBC Connect. It contains your schedule, agenda, floor plan, exhibitors and key event information in one place.

See you in Lisbon!

And there you have it. The right tickets booked, SBC Connect downloaded, badge collection sorted and your personal schedule starting to take shape.

With 40,000 attendees heading to Lisbon, there’s a lot waiting for you across the three days, but hopefully this guide has made planning your SBC Summit experience that little bit easier.

Now there’s only one thing left to do: get to Lisbon and enjoy it.