SBC Summit 2026’s evening programme will open with a headline performance from multi-platinum-selling band The Script, marking one of the largest artist bookings in the event’s history.
With six UK number one albums, 14 billion streams and five million album sales worldwide, the band will bring more than two decades of global hits to Lisbon as thousands of industry professionals gather to kick off the week.
The Script will take to the stage on Tuesday, 29 September, at Lisbon’s Pavilhão Carlos Lopes, headlining the SBC Summit Opening Party. The Irish band is best known for hits including “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” “Breakeven,” “For the First Time” and “Hall of Fame.” The Opening Party is powered by 1xBet.
The SBC Summit Opening Party has become a signature part of the SBC Summit experience, bringing attendees together on the first evening of the event for complimentary drinks, live entertainment and networking.
“We couldn’t be prouder to welcome The Script to headline our Opening Party,” said Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC.
“Their songs are instantly recognisable to people all over the world, but what makes them the perfect fit for this stage is their universal appeal. They transcend genres in exactly the same way SBC Summit transcends borders, bringing together every corner of our industry. I can’t think of a better way to bring this global community together on night one.”
Two decades of global hits
Since emerging onto the international stage, The Script have established themselves as one of Ireland’s most commercially successful bands, combining emotionally charged rock with an unmistakable pop sensibility.
Their self-titled debut album arrived in 2008 and catapulted the group to international recognition. Featuring singles “We Cry,” “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” “Breakeven” and “Before the Worst,” the record reached number one in both the UK and Ireland.
The band released their follow-up album Science & Faith in 2010. The album topped the charts in the UK and Ireland and reached number three on the US Billboard 200, while “For the First Time” became another of the band’s defining singles.
In 2012, The Script released their third studio album, #3, featuring “Hall of Fame” with will.i.am. The track became the band’s first UK number one single and has since emerged as one of the biggest songs of their career.
The group continued its success with the albums No Sound Without Silence (2014), Freedom Child (2017), Sunsets & Full Moons (2019) and Satellites (2024).
In 2026, The Script entered a new chapter with the release of their single “Man in the Arena,” the announcement of a new world tour, and the release of their album, The User’s Guide to Being Human, on 14 August.
Evening Networking throughout SBC Summit week
The Opening Party, powered by 1xBet, will kick off a week of dedicated networking experiences available to attendees with a VIP, Networking or Business pass, as well as Affiliate Leaders Summit VIP pass holders.
Having opened the week with a live band performance, SBC Summit 2026 will close it with INFINITY Lisbon on Thursday, 1 October, at the MEO Arena. SBC Summit’s flagship closing celebration will be headlined by global EDM icon Tiësto, alongside Dutch duo BlasterJaxx and Marc Vedo.
SBC Summit returns to the Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena from 29 September to 1 October for its third edition in the Portuguese capital. The event will welcome 40,000 industry professionals from across betting, gaming, payments and affiliate marketing for three days of learning, networking and product discovery.
The Opening Party has a limited capacity of 3,000 guests. Entry for eligible pass holders is subject to capacity, so we recommend arriving early to avoid disappointment. Guests with VIP Area Opening Party Wristbands are guaranteed access.
