Birmingham to host women and sport conference

Birmingham has been named the host city for the International Working Group (IWG) World Conference on Women & Sport 2026.

The world 's largest gathering of experts on gender equity in sport and physical activity will take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC).

The announcement marks the first time the historic event has been hosted in the UK since its inaugural conference in Brighton in 1994.

It has since been held in Namibia, Canada, Japan, Australia, Finland, Botswana and New Zealand.

The successful bid was led by the Sport and Recreation Alliance in partnership with the West Midlands Growth Company, Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority, Sport Birmingham, the University of Birmingham, and the ICC.

The IWG World Conference on Women & Sport is held every four years, with Auckland, New Zealand hosting the event in 2022.

The largest independent conference of its kind in the world, the event is action-orientated, focusing on realising change and empowering women.

The global gathering will be the climax of four years of events, campaigns and programmes throughout the UK, with more than 1,200 delegates in attendance.

These will include non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and women in sport organisations, global media, best-in-field athletes, and governments from around the world, amongst others.

It has been calculated that the economic impact in terms of direct spend from delegates is likely to be more than £1.6million.

The event also promises to bring a whole host of additional benefits to Birmingham, including a surge in tourism, improved infrastructure, and jobs for local residents.

Neil Rami, chief executive of West Midlands Growth Company, said: “We are honoured to have been selected to deliver an outstanding event for the International Working Group on Women & Sport Conference in 2026.

“Throughout the bid process, West Midlands Growth Company worked closely with partners across the business and events community and accommodation sector, leading a network of stakeholders who all shared an overwhelming support for the bid.

“It was a masterclass in how the region 's sense of positivity and can-do attitude, coupled with its passion, ideas and enthusiasm can really make a difference.

“We all look forward to being part of a global event which will put Birmingham in the spotlight, supporting employment, business skills and societal change. ”

Sporting venues across the city including Aston Villa Football Club, University of Birmingham, and Edgbaston Stadium, were involved in the bid process.

For more information on the IWG on Women & Sport, click here.