SBC Summit 2026 makes structured networking central in Lisbon

SBC Summit 2026 puts structured networking at the centre of its Lisbon programme

SBC Summit 2026 will bring more than 40,000 gaming industry professionals to Lisbon from 29 September to 1 October, but getting that many people into one venue is only the beginning.

The real challenge for any large international event is helping attendees find the people who are actually relevant to their businesses. Walking through an exhibition hall, collecting business cards and hoping that a useful introduction happens by chance is no longer enough.

That is why SBC has placed structured networking at the centre of its 2026 summit. Alongside the exhibition and conference programme, attendees will have access to pre-arranged meetings, speed networking, regulatory meet-ups, guided show-floor tours and dedicated evening events.

The aim is to combine the efficiency of organised introductions with the more natural conversations that happen once the formal programme has finished.

Planning meetings before arriving in Lisbon

SBC Connect will serve as the official event platform and allow eligible attendees to view participants, exchange messages and arrange meetings before travelling to Lisbon.

This should make it easier for delegates to arrive with a proper schedule rather than spending the first day trying to establish who is attending. Pre-arranged meetings can be held in the SBC Connect Lounge, providing a more focused setting away from the busiest parts of the exhibition floor.

The level of access to SBC Connect depends on the ticket category. Basic access includes planning information such as the agenda, exhibitor lists, floor plan and event schedule. Advanced access allows attendees to view participant lists, initiate messages and arrange meetings directly.

The platform is expected to become available to registered attendees from 24 August 2026.

Speed networking and market-specific introductions

Not every useful conversation needs a 30-minute appointment. SBC Summit will also offer speed networking sessions intended to introduce attendees to several relevant contacts within a much shorter period.

The format provides a practical way to identify potential partners before arranging a more detailed follow-up. For businesses entering new markets or looking for very specific services, that can be more effective than relying on general networking around the exhibition.

Regulatory Gaming Meetups will connect people operating within the same markets and regulatory environments. Eight meet-ups are planned each day in partnership with the International Association of Gaming Regulators and the International Masters of Gaming Law.

These sessions should be particularly useful for operators, suppliers, advisers and compliance professionals trying to understand different licensing systems and establish relationships with people facing similar regulatory challenges.

Guided show-floor tours will offer another route through the event. Rather than expecting attendees to navigate hundreds of exhibitors without assistance, the tours will follow defined themes and introduce participants to relevant companies, technologies and solutions.

Curated meetings between buyers and suppliers

Smart Connect adds a more targeted commercial element to the networking programme by facilitating curated meetings between buyers and suppliers.

Large exhibitions can create plenty of visibility without necessarily generating meaningful commercial discussions. A structured matchmaking system can help reduce that gap by bringing together companies with an identified reason to speak.

For suppliers, this means the opportunity to meet relevant decision-makers rather than relying only on passing exhibition traffic. For buyers, it provides a way to compare potential partners without spending much of the event searching for the right contacts.

The usefulness of these formats will ultimately depend on preparation. Attendees who identify their priorities, update their profiles and arrange meetings early are likely to gain considerably more from Lisbon than those who arrive without a plan.

The Opening Party at Pavilhão Carlos Lopes

The formal networking programme will continue into the evening, beginning with the SBC Summit Opening Party on Tuesday, 29 September.

The party will take place at Pavilhão Carlos Lopes in Parque Eduardo VII from 20:00. The venue is approximately nine kilometres from Feira Internacional de Lisboa, where the main exhibition is being held.

The event will combine entertainment, DJs and complimentary drinks with a less formal networking environment. After a full day of scheduled meetings and conference sessions, the Opening Party gives attendees a chance to continue conversations without the time pressure of the exhibition floor.

It can often be during these less structured parts of an industry event that an initial introduction becomes a genuine working relationship.

INFINITY Lisbon closes the summit

The week will conclude with INFINITY Lisbon on Thursday, 1 October at the MEO Arena.

International DJ Tiësto will headline the closing event, with Dutch electronic music duo BlasterJaxx also performing. SBC is positioning the production as a festival-scale conclusion to the summit, bringing thousands of attendees together after three days of meetings, exhibition activity and conference discussions.

INFINITY Lisbon is scheduled to begin at 20:00 and continue into the early hours of Friday morning.

Access is included with selected ticket categories. Holders of other passes may need to purchase a Party Pass or upgrade their existing ticket. Attendees should confirm the inclusions of their specific pass before making plans.

More than an exhibition

The strongest industry events are not simply places where companies display products. They create an environment in which people can meet, speak openly and find reasons to continue the conversation after the event.

SBC Summit 2026 is attempting to provide that environment through a combination of technology, curated introductions, market-specific meetings and evening networking.

Malta Media will be present in Lisbon throughout the summit. We look forward to meeting existing partners, clients and industry colleagues, as well as establishing new relationships with companies and individuals from across the international gaming sector.

Anyone attending SBC Summit 2026 who would like to arrange a meeting with Malta Media is invited to get in contact ahead of the event.

SBC Summit 2026 will take place at Feira Internacional de Lisboa and the MEO Arena from 29 September to 1 October 2026. Further information and tickets: https://sbcevents4.short.gy/Lp1SkH

Frequently asked questions

When will SBC Summit 2026 take place?

SBC Summit 2026 will take place in Lisbon from Tuesday, 29 September to Thursday, 1 October 2026.

What networking opportunities will be available?

The programme includes pre-arranged meetings through SBC Connect, speed networking, Regulatory Gaming Meetups, Smart Connect meetings, guided show-floor tours, dedicated meeting lounges and evening networking events.

What is SBC Connect?

SBC Connect is the official event platform. Depending on the ticket category, attendees can use it to review the agenda, explore the floor plan, identify exhibitors, view attendees, exchange messages and arrange meetings before the summit.

When will SBC Connect become available?

SBC states that the event platform will become available to registered attendees from 24 August 2026. The exact functions available will depend on the attendee’s ticket category.

What are the Regulatory Gaming Meetups?

The Regulatory Gaming Meetups are market-specific networking sessions for attendees working within similar regulatory environments. Eight sessions are planned each day in partnership with the International Association of Gaming Regulators and the International Masters of Gaming Law.

Where will the SBC Summit Opening Party take place?

The Opening Party will take place at Pavilhão Carlos Lopes in Parque Eduardo VII on Tuesday, 29 September. The official programme lists a starting time of 20:00.

Who will perform at INFINITY Lisbon?

INFINITY Lisbon will be headlined by Tiësto, with BlasterJaxx also performing. The official closing event will take place at the MEO Arena on Thursday, 1 October.

Does every SBC Summit ticket include access to the evening events?

No. Access depends on the ticket category and the event concerned. Attendees should check whether their pass includes the Opening Party and INFINITY Lisbon. Upgrade options, including a Party Pass for INFINITY Lisbon, may be available.