ISPO 2025 sets strategic tone ahead of venue shift
From Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, ISPO Munich 2025 returns for its final edition in the Bavarian city before relocating to Amsterdam in 2026. Reflecting this turning point, this year’s event focuses more on direction than on product debuts – spotlighting future retail models, sustainability practices and the evolving role of content creators in sports culture.
Under the theme “From Maze to Movement,” the retail programming kicks off with strategy sessions featuring Intersport, Sport 2000 and Decathlon, covering topics such as in-store experience, sustainability metrics and best-case applications of AI in product curation. A Retail Deep Dive Conference will also present international perspectives from China to Scandinavia.
Retail meets community storytelling
Sunday introduces the inaugural ISPO Creator Summit at the newly launched “House of Content.” Designed for media professionals and brand storytellers, the summit mirrors the industry’s pivot toward community-driven influence. Speakers include athletes and creators such as Lina Magull and André Schürrle, with discussions spanning authenticity in content creation and athlete mental health. A “Phygital Sports Influencer Battle” adds a dynamic touch to the lineup.
Sustainability and Olympic outlooks
Monday (Dec. 1) brings a shift toward industry-wide reflection under the banner “Media Monday & Sustainability.” A WFSGI keynote sets the tone, followed by a panel featuring executives from Oberalp, Merrell and the Hexagon Cup, examining access to sport and long-term responsibility. The Olympic track includes a Paris 2024 to Milano Cortina 2026 transition session and insights from Dynafit on ski mountaineering’s Olympic inclusion.
Later in the day, sessions focus on materials innovation – particularly microbial and bio-based developments – through guided tours in the Sustainability Hub and Material Lab. Speakers such as Geraldine Wharry and Leonhard Nima discuss the role of bacterial processes in circular design.
Hands-on formats and final reflections
The final day expands into applied formats, with the Retail & Innovation Stage spotlighting new sourcing strategies and retail models. ISPO’s experiential areas – like the Running Test Track, Pickleball and Padel Villages – remain open for interactive testing. Throughout, the tone is less about launches and more about transition: generational, geographical and strategic.
Whether Amsterdam will reinforce this shift remains to be seen, but ISPO Munich 2025 signals a clear intent to reframe the dialogue around sport, commerce and culture in a changing world.
Read the original article with additional information on our sister publication, SGI Europe.
