TEAMS Europe ’26 Preview: Everything You Need To Know
The event returns for its fifth edition from 17—19 March, 2026, at The Belfry Hotel & Resort
Posted On: March 13, 2026 By :TEAMS Europe ’26, produced by Northstar Meetings Group and its flagship SportsTravel media brand, is here.
The event, hosted at The Belfry Hotel & Resort in Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham, UK, will take place from 17-19 March and bring together the leaders who are shaping the future of sports-related travel.
The conference welcomes event organisers from international sports federations, professional and semi-professional leagues, mass participation events, youth sports and esports as well as destinations, venues, hoteliers and industry suppliers seeking to grow their share of the fast-expanding global sports-related travel market.
Returning for its fifth edition, the event promises insightful education from industry leaders to unparalleled networking opportunities and pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings designed to connect decision-makers with new partners.
Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect at TEAMS Europe ’26:
Set in 550 acres of Warwickshire countryside, The Belfry is an iconic destination where luxury meets sporting history, and this is the host venue for TEAMS Europe ’26. Home to the legendary Brabazon Course and host of the Ryder Cup a record four times, it’s a world-class resort blending championship golf, award-winning hospitality, and timeless prestige.
Situated in the heart of the Midlands and just 10 miles from Birmingham City Centre, The Belfry is also the long-term venue for The British Masters (returning in 2026) and has hosted many other tournaments, including the Benson & Hedges International Open.
Visit The Belfry Hotel & Resort website at this link for more information.
TEAMS Europe Cup Golf Tournament
New for 2026, the TEAMS Europe Cup Golf Tournament will form an exclusive part of the TEAMS Europe programme on the morning of 17 March. Taking place on the Brabazon Course, the tournament is designed for event organisers and suppliers alike, combining premium golf, relaxed networking and a unique chance to compete at one of golf’s most storied venues and the iconic home of The British Masters.
Participation is optional though — so for guests who prefer not to play, The Belfry’s luxurious spa will be available to ensure everyone can make the most of their visit.
Marketplaces
For the first time, TEAMS Europe will host a Reverse Marketplace on the afternoon of 17 March, where event organisers can fill any available spots on their appointment schedule or discuss other times to meet during the conference. The Reverse Marketplace is designed for quick check-ins and event organisers will be stationed at designated tables.
There will also be four separate TEAMS Europe Marketplace Sessions across Wednesday and Thursday, with two on each day. This marketplace will consist of pre-scheduled appointments taking place at designated times, so attendees should check their diaries to know where to be and when.
For more information on what event organisers and attendees need to know before and during the event, check out our Event Organiser Next Steps Guide at this link.
Opening Celebration
To celebrate the beginning of TEAMS Europe in true style, Aston Villa Football Club’s Villa Park, one of the most iconic venues in English football, will host the TEAMS Europe ’26 Opening Celebration on Tuesday evening.
The Oak Room, the stadium’s most prestigious and refined hospitality space located in the Trinity Road Stand, was the first restaurant in a football stadium more than a century ago, making it the perfect setting to kick off the week’s activities.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with fellow attendees and have guided tours of the stadium, including being able to walk pitch side and visit the home dressing room.
Educational Sessions
On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be four educational sessions to provide insights into the current sports-related travel landscape and examine the future of the sports-events industry as a whole.
The first session (9:15 a.m., 18 March) will be a “State of the Industry Roundtable,” in which speakers will share their latest research available on sports fans, their willingness to travel and what they want out of the experience. It will also provide an outlook for the year ahead and the headwinds the industry can anticipate. Jason Gewirtz (Northstar Meetings Group Sports Division) will moderate the conversation alongside Danielle Vincenti (Pennsylvania Sports), Eva Stewart (GSIQ) and Alessio Punzi (World Athletics).
Next up, a conversation on “What It Takes to Deliver Profitable and Sustainable Sports Events” (15:30 p.m., 18 March) will bring together leaders from national governing bodies, commercial directors and destinations to pull back the curtain on the real economics of sports-event delivery. Amidst rising costs, increasing scrutiny on public spending and unprecedented competition for sponsorship and hosting, the panellists will share how they balance costs and revenues across different markets, structure commercial partnerships, manage financial risk and adapt event models to meet today’s economic realities. Ted Keith (SportsTravel) will be the moderator alongside Phil Andrews (USA Fencing), Shaurya Arun (Professional Squash Association), Nalain Naidoo (International Esports Federation) and Jonathan Hunt (Coventry City Council).
The next day at 9 a.m., Birmingham City CEO Jeremy Dale and Head of Infrastructure Nick Smith will reveal the remarkable transformation underway in Birmingham. The club’s ownership group, which features Tom Wagner and NFL legend Tom Brady, has driven a story of urban regeneration, community revitalisation and economic renewal, with the centrepiece of this transformation being the a recently unveiled design for a new stadium and the development of a Sporting Quarter. Dale and Smith will discuss how this development promises to alter Birmingham’s skyline, providing a landmark destination that symbolises the city’s evolving identity and will serve as a catalyst for local economic growth.
The final session (11:30 a.m., 19 March) will focus on “Rewriting the Rules: Emerging Sports, New Audiences and the Next Era of Sports Hosting“, in particular how sport is consumed, shared and valued, and how a new wave of sports properties is emerging with fundamentally different playbooks. While emerging leagues are designing events, media strategies and city partnerships, event organisers and their partners will share how they have built momentum, attracted broadcast and streaming partners and formed strategic relationships with host cities. Paul Stevens (SportsTravel) will be the moderator alongside Paul Rigault (DØDS Diving League), Laurence Boyd (E1 Series), Joe Pickering (DAZN) and David O’Carroll (Aurora Media Worldwide).
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