SPORTNXT UNVEILS NXT WAVE OF GLOBAL SPEAKERS AHEAD OF 2026 SUMMIT
24 Aug 2026
MELBOURNE (NAARM) — With exactly two weeks remaining until the Southern Hemisphere’s premier sports business summit, SportNXT has today announced its final wave of global speakers, innovators, and executives. The summit, taking place from September 7–9 in Melbourne, will convene more than 1,000 industry executives to shape the future of the global sports ecosystem.
Today’s announcement brings together the brightest minds across global investment, broadcasting, high-performance administration, and technology.
The addition of these leaders reinforces SportNXT’s position as the leading conduit connecting global sports powerhouses with regional innovators. The conversations, B2B outcomes, and strategic decisions driving the future of sport will all take place in Melbourne this September.
Newly Announced Speakers for SportNXT 2026:
- Gerry Cardinale – Founder & Managing Partner, RedBird Capital
- Andrew Abdo – CEO, Tennis Australia
- Adam Driussi – Co-Founder & CEO, Quantium; Chair, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- Beverley McGarvey – President Network 10 & Head of Streaming, Paramount Australia and New Zealand
- Penny Fowler AM – Chair, Tourism Australia; Chair, Herald & Weekly Times
- Kylie Rogers – CEO, Victoria Racing Club
- Aaron Morrison – CEO, Racing Victoria
- Rajah Chaudhry – GM Aus/NZ, NBA
- David Stevenson – CEO, NBL Group
- John Harnden AM – CEO, Melbourne Park
- Chantella Perera – President, Women’s Sport Australia; Group General Manager, KOJO
- Bill Hanway – EVP, Global Sports and Social Infrastructure Leader, AECOM
- Paul Devlin – Sub Industry Leader, Betting, Gaming & Sports, Amazon Web Services
- Tain Drinkwater – Interim Executive Director, Minerva Network
- Nicole Livingstone AO – CEO, Victorian Institute of Sport
- Sarah Walsh OLY – Sports Executive; Former Matilda
- John Knox – Partner and Head of Australia & NZ, Ares Credit Group
- Clint Newton OAM – CEO, Rugby League Players Association
- Hamish McLachlan – SportNXT Master of Ceremonies
- Holly Ransom – SportNXT Master of Ceremonies
- Sarah Styles – Director, Victorian Institute of Sport
- Neroli Meadows – Sports Journalist & Presenter
- Tracey Holmes – Host & Executive Producer, The Sports Ambassador
- Scott Dinsdale – Managing Director, FutureNext
- Nadine Parkington – Strategic Digital and Data Advisor, Principal, Think Nimble
To guide the program and facilitate high-level industry discussions, SportNXT has also confirmed its roster of Masters of Ceremonies and presenters, including Hamish McLachlan, Holly Ransom, Sarah Styles, Neroli Meadows, Tracey Holmes, Scott Dinsdale, and Nadine Parkington.
These newly announced leaders join an already formidable 2026 roster featuring international and regional heavyweights 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).
See exactly what’s in store. The full agenda and timings for our comprehensive three-day program are now live!
With just 14 days until the event begins, delegate passes are strictly limited. Industry professionals are encouraged to secure their attendance immediately to ensure their organizations are part of these critical conversations.
SportNXT 2026 | 7–9 September | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
This is SportNXT 2026. Be in the room. Don’t watch from the sidelines this September.
–ENDS–