ISPO 2026 Amsterdam: What’s on at the Expo Today, and What It Means for Sports Sourcing
Wednesday 4 November 2026 is the first expo day of ISPO 2026 Amsterdam. The show is being held for the first time at RAI Amsterdam. It runs alongside the International Running Expo (IRX). If you are visiting today, here is what the official program offers and what it means if you buy, develop or manufacture sports products.
This guide is based on ISPO’s published program. It is not an eyewitness report.
Table of Contents
ISPO 2026 at a glance
- Where: RAI Amsterdam, Europaplein 24, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Dates: 3–5 November 2026. The invitation-only Leaders’ Summit was on 3 November. The Expo is on 4–5 November.
- Expo hours: Wednesday 4 November, 9am–6pm. Thursday 5 November, 9am–5pm.
- Scale: ISPO expects more than 50,000 industry professionals across the event, per its announcement of the move to RAI.
Your ISPO Expo ticket also covers the International Running Expo, so you can walk both shows.
What is the ISPO BrandNew Launchpad?
The BrandNew Launchpad is ISPO’s platform for emerging sports and outdoor brands. Selected startups present their product ideas and innovations to an audience that includes retailers, investors and industry professionals.
The wider BrandNew programme is presented by YKK and curated by BORN Accelerators, with the awards ceremony scheduled for November 4. For sports goods manufacturers, this is an opportunity to understand what new brands are developing and what products may need manufacturing support in the future.
This matters beyond the startups. New brands tend to arrive with a product idea but no factory. Watching what founders pitch shows you where design and materials are heading before it reaches the shelf. For manufacturers, those pitches are often the start of tomorrow’s development briefs.
Sportswear and materials: the ISPO Fashion Show
Eco-Age is presenting a fashion runway at the Fashion & Textiles Hub in Hall 11, from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM on November 4 and 5. Each look will explain its design inspiration, performance, materials and wider importance. Participating names include UAL, Glerups, Craghoppers, Reima, Finisterre, The Mills Fabrica, Dryrobe, Sinner and Armedangels.
For sportswear buyers and product developers, the show offers a closer look at how fabric choices, product function and design influence modern apparel development.
The Sustainability Hub: recycle, repair, swap
ISPO’s Sustainability Hub is a hands-on zone for circularity. Visitors can:
- Recycle: hand in an old polyester sports shirt or jersey at the ClubHub collection point in Hall 6.
- Repair: get a free repair on any brand from United Repair Centre’s tailors, across both days.
- Swap: bring pre-loved items and earn Swap Points to spend on other pieces.
The takeaway for sourcing is simple. Longevity, repairability and end-of-life are now part of product development. When you brief any manufacturer, ask how a product is built to last and what materials it uses.
The International Running Expo next door
The International Running Expo (IRX) takes place alongside ISPO 2026. It describes itself as Europe’s only dedicated B2B event for the running industry, bringing together brands, retailers, distributors and running clubs.
For businesses developing running apparel and accessories, IRX offers an additional opportunity to explore industry trends and connect with potential business partners. These categories may also offer opportunities for private-label sportswear manufacturing.
Why trade shows still matter for sourcing
A trade show lets you do in a few days what takes months by email. You can handle a sample, compare stitching and finishing, and meet several suppliers on the same day. ISPO also runs a Hosted Buyer Program for curated meetings and a ticketed after-party on 4 November (8pm–midnight, Escape Nightclub) for informal networking.
What to look for when choosing a sports goods manufacturer
Whether you are meeting one supplier or ten, these checks apply:
- Hold the product: Check stitching, seams, materials and finishing, not just the brochure.
- Ask about samples: How long do they take and who approves the pre-production sample?
- Ask about quality control: At which stages is the product inspected?
- Check certifications: Ask to see certificates, not just logos.
- Understand MOQ and customization: What can be changed: materials, colors, branding, packaging?
- Confirm who owns the design: Make this clear for private-label and custom work.
- Think beyond the first order: Can the factory scale with you?
Meet Spogen at ISPO 2026: Hall 5, Booth 5B41
Spogen Pvt Ltd is a B2B sports goods manufacturer based in Sialkot, Pakistan. It is certified to BSCI, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. At ISPO 2026 the team is at Hall 5, Booth 5B41, with a focus on goalkeeper gloves, sports bags and sports apparel and teamwear for brands, clubs, academies, retailers and distributors.
Spogen works with buyers who want OEM, ODM or private-label manufacturing. Its manufacturing process runs from design and sampling through production and quality control to export.
OEM, ODM and private label, explained simply
- OEM: you bring the design and specifications and the factory builds it to your brief under your brand.
- ODM: the factory offers a developed design or platform that you customize, so you can launch faster.
- Private label: a product from a manufacturer sold under your own brand name. It can be built on an OEM or ODM base.
A startup with an idea often starts with ODM or private label. An established brand with its own technical pack usually works OEM. Many buyers use a mix.
How to start a manufacturing conversation?
Bring or send as much of this as you have:
- Product type and target market
- Design references, tech pack or a sample to match
- Materials and construction preferences
- Estimated quantities and launch timing
- Branding and packaging needs
Frequently asked questions
6pm on Wednesday 4 November and 5pm on Thursday 5 November, according to ISPO.
ISPO’s stage where shortlisted startups pitch live to retailers, investors and media.
A hands-on zone for recycling, repair and swapping.
The International Running Expo is a B2B running-industry event held alongside ISPO, and the ISPO Expo ticket gives access.
Visit Hall 5, Booth 5B41, book a meeting or email info@sports-gen.com.
Final thoughts
ISPO 2026 combines startup innovation, sportswear and material development, circularity and international networking in one venue. If you are looking for a manufacturing partner, use the show to compare products in person, ask direct questions and leave with a clear next step.
Looking for a Sports Goods Manufacturing Partner?
Contact Us today to discuss your product requirements and get a free B2B quote for your next sports goods project. We offer OEM, ODM and private-label manufacturing solutions tailored to your business needs.
