Birmingham scores major global sports summit

Birmingham is set to welcome some of the most influential figures in world sport, after being named the next host city for a global sports summit in April 2024.

The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit will bring around 1,500 decision-makers to the West Midlands, including representatives from more than 120 international federations, as the region looks to build on its growing reputation as a world-class host for sport.

The five-day event will take place at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) from 7-11 April 2024, representing only the second time in its 20-year history that the event has come to the UK and the first time since London in 2011. Previous hosts have also included Athens, Beijing, and Sochi, with the most recent summit taking place in Australia’s Gold Coast, which will form part of the host territory for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Following the success of the Commonwealth Games in 2022, regional authorities hope the event will attract more sporting fixtures and championships of national and international significance to the wider West Midlands, as part of the region’s Major Sporting Events Delivery Plan. Stemming from the ground-breaking Business and Tourism Programme (BATP), which was developed to capitalise on the trade, investment and tourism opportunities brought about by the Games, the Plan underlines a strategic vision to secure a minimum of eight major sporting events in the West Midlands by 2027.

Early sporting wins culminating from the BATP include the British Squash Championships, FIM World Supercross Championships, and the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup, which will take place outside Asia for the first time. Birmingham has also been awarded the 2026 European Athletics Championships, becoming the first UK host of the prestigious international athletics competition.

These events build on an economic and sporting legacy from Birmingham 2022 that has already contributed more than £870 million to the UK economy, including more than £430 million within the West Midlands region.

The Summit is expected to directly contributing over £3.4 million to the regional economy, as well as generating a pipeline of future events that will continue to benefit the West Midlands.

Ivo Ferriani, President of SportAccord, said:

“We are thrilled Birmingham is Host City for the next edition of the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit in 2024. There is no better place than the West Midlands to build on the momentum of a brilliant Commonwealth Games. 

“A city of inventions, iconic landmarks and firsts, Birmingham's rich tapestry of history, heritage and culture, will provide a delegate experience that is second to none.  

“With superb facilities, good access, and a compact set of venues and accommodation - all within a square city mile, sports leaders and key decision makers will be able to soak up the many experiences this world class city has to offer. We look forward to bringing the magic of SportAccord to Birmingham in 2024.” 

Cllr John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “One year on from hosting the best Commonwealth Games that this country has ever seen, we have the opportunity to further market and promote our city, its venues and infrastructure to the international sporting community. We want Birmingham to have a pipeline of major sporting and business events over the decade and this summit has the potential to help us deliver this, maximising the impact of the Legacy Fund.”