FEBRUARY 22-24, 2026

ST. LOUIS, MO

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The SBJ National Sports Forum was conceived in 1996 with the innovative idea of applying the 'league meeting model' to a broad gathering of industry professionals. The goal was to dismantle the silos between the NFL, NBA, and NHL, fostering the exchange of ideas and the cultivation of lifelong relationships.

Since its inception, the Forum has evolved into one of the largest annual gatherings of sports business professionals, encompassing a diverse array of teams, leagues, agencies, and brands. SBJ NSF is led by a Steering Committee of more than 20 industry professionals who guide the programming to ensure it is relevant and compelling.

In 2026, the Forum will celebrate its 30th anniversary and its first year as part of Sports Business Journal. More than 1,000 sports professionals responsible for ticket sales and service; sponsorship sales and activation; marketing; fan engagement; business development; and diversity and inclusion will gather in St. Louis for a three-day immersive, hands-on experience that will include more than 30 breakout sessions, 10 workshops and four main stage sessions.

2026 Program Venue


Union Station Hotel

1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103

Additional Venue Info

2026 Program Venue


Union Station Hotel

1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103

Additional Venue Info

Coming Fall 2025

2026 Speakers

Coming December 2025

2026 Agenda

VIEW THE 2025 EVENT BROCHURE

Who Attends?

Past Attendee Snapshot

INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

Leagues & Governing Bodies

Teams

Colleges

Corporate Sponsors & Advertisers

Agencies

EXECUTIVES AND PROFESSIONALS ENGAGED WITH

Marketing

Fan Engagement

Ticket Sales

Customer Service

Corporate Sales

Hospitality & Events

Activation

Business Development

Diversity & Inclusion

THE NATIONAL SPORTS FORUM EDUCATES SPORTS BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS BY FOCUSING ON THESE FIVE CORE PILLARS

SPONSORSHIP SALES & PARTNER ACTIVATION

MARKETING & FAN ENGAGEMENT

TICKET SALES & SERVICE

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

ATTENDEES

TEAMS, LEAGUES & ORGANIZATIONS

Traditions

The Forum Family

Since the founding of SBJ NSF in 1996, Ron Seaver has welcomed thousands of industry professionals to the Forum Family. Attendees will immediately recognize the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere at the event and are encouraged to actively participate and not sit on the sidelines. You will get out of the experience what you put into the experience, and for those who do the work and build meaningful relationships, the Forum Family will provide support, resources and friendships for many years to come.

"Friends don’t let friends stay unemployed."

Ron Seaver Founder & Managing Director, SBJ NSF

Newcomers Breakfast

The Newcomers Breakfast kicks things off on Monday morning and is a must-attend item on the SBJ NSF agenda. Attendees sit at tables of 10 for structured networking and hear from multiple presenters about how to take advantage of their time at the Forum and develop those early relationships that mature across the event and into the future.

Women Sports Leaders Reception

Monday evening, following the opening night cocktail reception in the Tradeshow Hall, anyone dedicated to elevating women in sports is invited to attend this special reception. It is a women-centric event, not a women-only event.

Project Possible Award

The Project Possible Award (previously the One Man Foundation Award) is presented in partnership with Bonner Paddock and Project Possible. The inaugural award recipient was recognized at the 2014 National Sports Forum. It celebrates an individual in the sports and entertainment industry who goes above and beyond to better their community. This entails anything from volunteering, to teaching underprivileged children how to read on the weekends, to starting a foundation that helps raise awareness and money for a certain illness, and beyond.

Individuals and organizations are nominated by peers and coworkers, and the recipients are hand selected by the Project Possible Award Selection Committee and the SBJ NSF Steering Committee. The recipient of the Project Possible Award is presented with the award at the National Sports Forum in front of the entire audience.

The Host Bar

A host bar is designated in each hosting city for gathering after official programming and activities have concluded each day. It provides a great place to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

Budweiser Beer Wagon

When you see the Budweiser Beer Wagon on the SBJ NSF agenda, it means a day of programming has concluded and happy hour has commenced.

Budweiser Gala

The Budweiser Gala is festive and memorable conclusion to the Forum, where all attendees and sponsors can enjoy a moment of reflection on all that they have learned and gained from participating in the Forum. Hosted at a sports venue, the evening includes a facility tour, a featured speaker and plenty of time to network. Several Awards are also given during the Gala, including the Budweiser Parney Award, the Anniversary Awards, the Sammy Award and the winner of the Tech Tank is recognized.

Budweiser Parney Award

The Budweiser Gala is not officially over until the Budweiser Parney Award recipient is announced. The Parney Award is named after Todd “Parney” Parnell, the CEO of the Richmond Flying Squirrels and an annual fixture at the Forum. Each year, an attendee who embodies the spirit of the Forum Family, is recognized with the Parney Award.

Anniversary Awards

The Anniversary Awards are a unique aspect of SBJ NSF. They recognize Forum Family members who have attended 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 Forums.

SAMMY Award

The winner of the Sales Advertising Marketing Management Idea of the Year is recognized.

Tech Tank Winner

The winner of the annual Tech Tank competition is recognized.

Pricing

View Pricing/Ticketing Details

"Forum Family" Property Pass

Sports Teams & Leagues

$1,095

REGISTER

Forum Family Pricing Expires July 31

"Forum Family" Pass

All Other Sectors

$1,395

REGISTER

Forum Family Pricing Expires July 31

Group Pricing of Three or More Special rates for groups of three or more from the same company are available for this event. To find out more, email attend@sportsbusinessjournal.com.

Virtual Due to the format of this event, virtual viewing will not be available.

Sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Want to be involved in this program?

For information on sponsorship opportunities, please email advertise@sportsbusinessjournal.com

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