SBC Summit 2026 Breaks Attendance Record with 40,000 Attendees.
SBC Summit 2026 recorded its largest edition to date, attracting 40,000 attendees to Lisbon, Portugal. Overall attendance increased by 34.5% year-on-year, with operator participation rising by 37% and C-level attendance growing by 40.7%.
The number of senior executives increased from 5,969 to 8,398, while affiliate registrations climbed by 71%. Africa recorded the strongest regional growth at 129.6%, followed by North America at 58.5%, Asia at 44.3%, Europe at 32.3%, and Latin America at 10.7%.
The event brought together gaming operators, affiliates, technology providers, regulators, startups, and investors from 178 countries. SBC also confirmed that Lisbon would remain the host city for SBC Summit through 2030.
SBC Founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark said the figures reflected a shift towards stronger representation from senior executives, operators, and commercially significant industry segments.
Affiliate Leaders Summit Attracts 10,000 Attendees
The 2026 edition introduced the standalone Affiliate Leaders Summit, which attracted 10,000 attendees, including 6,000 affiliates and 3,000 operator representatives. The event also featured 150 exhibitors and sponsors, providing a dedicated platform for affiliate and performance marketing businesses.
SBC expanded its networking programme through SBC Connect, helping attendees identify potential partners and arrange business meetings. The wider summit featured 800 sponsors and exhibitors, alongside a conference programme with 600 speakers.
African Gaming Forum Highlights Regional Opportunities
The debut of the African Gaming Forum was a notable development, particularly as attendance from Africa increased by 129.6% year-on-year.
The forum brought together operators, suppliers, regulators, and other stakeholders to discuss licensing frameworks, market development, and regulatory requirements across African gaming markets.
Regulation was also a central theme throughout the summit. Dedicated Regulatory Gaming Meet-ups, organised in collaboration with the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) and the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL), provided opportunities for regulators, legal professionals, and industry representatives to exchange perspectives.
Meanwhile, the Global Prediction Markets Forum examined regulatory challenges at the intersection of betting, financial markets, and forecasting.
Michael Jordan Headlines SBC Summit Conference
Basketball legend Michael Jordan was among the headline speakers at the event. He appeared alongside Sportradar Founder and CEO Carsten Koerl and DraftKings Co-Founder and CEO Jason Robins in a keynote session attended by approximately 5,000 people.
Other prominent personalities included football journalist Fabrizio Romano and UFC champion Charles Oliveira. The conference also featured executives from leading gaming companies, including Betsson Group, Flutter International, Fortuna Entertainment Group, LeoVegas, Altenar, Spribe, and SoftConstruct.
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The programme reflected SBC’s ambition to connect gaming with wider industries, including artificial intelligence, technology, fintech, sports, and entertainment.
The entertainment programme featured performances by The Script at the opening party and DJ Tiësto at the INFINITY Lisbon closing party.
Lisbon to Host SBC Summit Through 2030
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas opened the summit, reinforcing the city’s relationship with the event. SBC subsequently confirmed a long-term agreement to keep Lisbon as the host city through 2030.
The 2026 edition highlighted the growing international reach of the gaming industry, with increased participation from operators, senior executives, and affiliates.
For African stakeholders, the sharp rise in attendance and the introduction of the African Gaming Forum highlighted the continent’s growing presence in global gaming discussions, particularly around regulation, market development, and investment opportunities.
