SportNXT 2026 Expands World-Class Lineup with Heavyweights in Sports Investment, Commercial Strategy, and Major Events
4 Aug 2026
MELBOURNE (NAARM) — The SportNXT 2026 Summit has announced a major expansion to its speaker roster today, adding five global sports and business leaders to its upcoming program.
This latest group brings deep expertise across global sports investment, commercial strategy, and major event tourism. Together, they will unpack the commercial realities shaping the next decade of sports.
Joining the SportNXT 2026 speaker lineup:
- Bobby Sharma – Founder & Managing Partner, Bluestone Equity Partners
- Andy Penn AO – Chair, Visit Victoria
- Glenn Lovett – Chief Business Officer, Dentsu Sports International
- Bec Haagsma – EGM, Customer, Commercial & Technology, AFL
- Brendan McClements – CEO, Visit Victoria
The addition of these leaders reinforces SportNXT’s position as the southern hemisphere’s premier sports business summit, connecting global powerhouses with regional innovators.
From the influx of private equity to the booming sports tourism economy, you won’t want to miss the insights these heavyweights bring to Melbourne. They join a growing 2026 roster featuring Peter O’Reilly (NFL), Kevin Demoff (Kroenke Sports & Entertainment), Jennifer Prince (Los Angeles Rams), Amanda Laing (Nine), Craig Drummond (AFL), Jason Gannon (Chelsea Football Club), Raelene Castle (Sport New Zealand and High Performance Sport NZ) and Todd Greenberg (Cricket Australia).
What to Expect at SportNXT 2026
The three-day program will explore the state of world sport, the evolution of the fan experience, the rise of streaming, women’s sport, technology and AI, and the future of global mega-events.
More speaker and partner announcements are coming in the weeks ahead.
SportNXT 2026 | 7–9 September | Melbourne
This is SportNXT 2026. Be in the room. Don’t watch from the sidelines this September.
–ENDS–