The forum is designed to foster crucial dialogue and collaboration among sports leaders at a time of significant global change. As SportAccord President, Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener, commented, the event represents a pivotal moment for the industry.

“The IF Forum represents a critical moment for International Federation leaders to come together and address shared challenges at a time of unprecedented change,” he stated. “The panels we have curated bring together speakers from a variety of backgrounds, and we are confident this will help International Federations to work together to shape a bright future for sport”.

Expert Panels and Keynote Insights

The agenda kicks off on Monday, 27 October, with keynote addresses, followed by two days of intensive panel discussions and interactive sessions. A headline address will be delivered by Professor Simon Chadwick, a renowned sports business academic, who will delve into sport’s vital role in an age of global disruption. His session will explore how sport can demonstrate resilience and unity, and what lessons it must learn to remain “relevant, trusted and future-ready”.

The forum’s panel discussions feature a star-studded lineup of IF leaders, athletes, and independent experts who will tackle some of the most pressing issues facing sport today.

Key topics include:

• Commercialisation in a Fragmented World: This panel will explore how federations can adapt their commercial and digital strategies in an increasingly competitive landscape. Speakers include Petra Sörling, President of the International Table Tennis Federation, and Max Cobb, Secretary General of the International Biathlon Union.
• Sustainability in Women’s Sport: A critical discussion will focus on converting the growing visibility of women’s sport into sustainable investment and lasting impact. The panel features influential voices such as three-time Olympic swimming medallist Pernille Blume and Fabio Azevedo, President of the International Volleyball Federation.
• Year-Round Relevance: Another session will spotlight strategies for keeping audiences engaged beyond major event cycles. Insights will be shared by experts like Kit McConnell, Chief Sports Office for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and Richard Pettit, Secretary General of the International Canoe Federation.

Serving as a “vital platform for dialogue and exchange,” the insights generated at the IF Forum 2025 are expected to lay important groundwork for the SportAccord Convention 2026, which is scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.