Sports Governance Forum 2026 – Game Changers: Shaping the Future of Sports Governance

We are pleased to invite you to our second annual Sports Governance Forum, which will examine key challenges and opportunities facing the regulation and governance of sport in the UK, and internationally.

While there is broad consensus around the core principles of good governance, such as transparency, accountability, integrity, fairness and sustainability, their practical application can be far more nuanced and context specific. Different sports and organisational levels, from grassroots clubs to international federations, apply and prioritise these principles in different ways.

The afternoon programme will feature five panel discussions exploring the following broad areas:

• Independent regulators – the evolving relationship between sport and the public sector

• Integrity spotlight – core battlegrounds and emerging risks

• Breakaway competitions – challenging the status quo, and the intersection between sport and competition law

• Independent reviews and investigations – necessity, impact and lessons learned

• The international landscape – complexities and opportunities facing sports governance beyond the UK

We are delighted to welcome a distinguished panel of speakers, including:

• Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, DL – Crossbench Peer, broadcaster and five-time Paralympian

• Dame Tracey Crouch DBE – Managing Director, Hanover; former MP and Chair of the Fan-Led Review of Football Governance

• Nic Coward – Chair, Regulatory Board of the ECB

• John Donnelly CBE – Culture & Integrity Advisor, Sport Ireland; former Head of Integrity, UK Sport

• Anne Whyte KC – Barrister, QEB Hollis Whiteman

• Sophie Goldschmidt – President and CEO, US Ski & Snowboard

• Yvonne Nolan – General Counsel, World Rugby

• Andy Howell – Head of Integrity and Regulation, DP World Tour; Non-Executive Director, Snowsport England

• Irene Aguiar Gallardo – Senior Legal Counsel, International Volleyball Federation; Chair of the Legal Commission of the Royal Spanish Football Federation; CAS Arbitrator

• Ravi Mehta – Barrister, Blackstone Chambers

• Julia Lowis – Senior Legal Counsel, International Tennis Integrity Agency

The forum will conclude with a drinks reception on our 8th floor, providing an opportunity for delegates to network with speakers and peers from across the sector.

Agenda

12:00 p.m. - Registration and networking lunch

1:15 p.m. - Welcome, followed by panel discussions

5:30 p.m. - Networking reception (drinks and light bites will be served)

7:30 p.m. - Event ends

Who Should Attend?

This event is particularly relevant for sports governing bodies, regulators, leagues, event organisers, clubs and those dealing with integrity matters. However, given the broad impact of governance across sport, attendance is open to all stakeholders. Places are limited and a waiting list will operate once capacity is reached.