SBC Summit 2026 adds pre-booked networking programme powered by SBC Connect

Organisers have unveiled the structured networking programme for SBC Summit 2026, powered by the SBC Connect platform, which lets delegates pre-arrange meetings and receive curated introductions before the event begins. The summit will take place at Feira Internacional de Lisboa and the MEO Arena from 29 September to 1 October, with more than 40,000 professionals from the betting and gaming industry expected to attend.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and founder of SBC, said the size of the event makes time management the main challenge for delegates. "With more than 40,000 people in one place, the real challenge is helping delegates make the best use of their time," he said. Sojmark said the programme is designed around different needs, including pre-arranged meetings, introductions to unfamiliar sectors and faster ways to expand networks.

Structured daytime formats

Five daytime formats will support networking: SBC Connect Meets, Speed Networking, Regulatory Gaming Meetups, Show Floor Tours and Smart Connect. At the centre is SBC Connect Meets, which allows Networking, Business and VIP Pass holders to browse the attendee list through the SBC Connect app, message other delegates and book one-to-one meetings in the SBC Connect Lounge (CR1). The aim is for attendees to arrive in Lisbon with a complete meeting schedule rather than relying on chance encounters.

For delegates who cannot spend days building a network from scratch, Speed Networking will run four themed sessions focused on first-time attendees, AI implementation, payments and future industry leaders, designed to help delegates meet a broad range of relevant contacts within an hour. Regulatory Gaming Meetups will offer 21 sessions led by regulatory specialists, putting delegates in touch with regulators, legal experts and industry professionals. Discussions will cover market entry, licensing, compliance and policy developments across individual jurisdictions.

Show Floor Tours will provide guided introductions to exhibitors and technologies across the summit's 130,000 square metres of exhibition space. Eight tours, led by the SBC team, will concentrate on themes such as AI in gaming, casino games, platform and aggregation technology, sportsbook solutions, marketing technology, CRM, and fintech and compliance. Separately, Smart Connect will match senior operator representatives with a limited number of suppliers based on business objectives, target markets and product requirements, with each participant receiving a personalised schedule of pre-qualified 15-minute meetings.

Evening networking and access

Networking will extend into the evenings. The SBC Summit Opening Party takes place on Tuesday, 29 September at Pavilhão Carlos Lopes with complimentary drinks and entertainment, while the closing INFINITY Lisbon party at the MEO Arena on Thursday, 1 October, headlined by DJ Tiësto, is intended as a final chance to strengthen connections made during the week.

The SBC Connect app is available on Apple and Android, and delegates can book networking sessions directly through it. Access to the structured networking options is limited to Networking, Business and VIP Pass holders, and those whose passes do not include INFINITY Lisbon can purchase a Party Pass upgrade.