#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2024-11-19

Sport, health, fashion: The highlights of ISPO Munich 2024

Rethink the world of sports and shape it together: that’s what ISPO Munich 2024 (3 to 5 December 2024) is calling for with this year’s main topics Retail & Sustainability, Health & Fashion, and Tech/AI & Sports Extended. With over 2,400 exhibitors, topic-specific hubs and an extensive programme featuring prominent speakers, the upcoming event will set new standards and show how technology, sustainability and health are revolutionising the sports industry. With a total of five conferences, the accompanying conference programme offers deeper insights into various topics.

From tennis brothers Alexander and Mischa Zverev and tennis icon Andre Agassi to German national football coach Julian Nagelsmann and Malaika Mihambo, who won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, ISPO Munich 2024 not only features top athletes and coaches, but also hosts representatives from the worlds of politics and business. Judith Gerlach, Minister of State for Health, Care and Prevention, Dr Fiona Bull, Head of the Physical Activity Unit at the World Health Organization (WHO), and Arne Freundt, CEO of Puma, are among the highlight speakers of the supporting programme. Exciting panel talks, interviews, padel/pickleball show matches, as well as the ISPO and Brandnew Awards, make ISPO Munich a unique place for the sports industry to experience networking, inspirations and discoveries.

Digital transformation and innovations

Digitalisation is opening up new possibilities in sports. The Digitize & Retail Hub and the partner conference Sports Tech Nation, Europe’s leading summit for the sports technology industry, showcase the latest tech innovations that are currently transforming sports retail and the sports industry. A total of over 400 guest speakers at ISPO Munich and the five partner conferences, including presenters from SPORT MARKE MEDIEN, will share their insights into topics such as elite performance, smart venues, media & broadcasting, sports data and fitness tech. Visitors can look forward to inspiring talks and discussions that show how technology will shape the sport of the future. In the Digitize & Retail Hub, leading companies present solutions for digital transformation that open up new business potential for the industry and for sports retail.

The ISPO Award, ISPO Brandnew and ISPO Textrends platforms showcase innovative products, promising start-ups and groundbreaking material developments. This year, the award winners will once again be celebrated on the main stage and provide valuable orientation with regard to tomorrow’s trends and highlights.

Fusion of sport and fashion

The newest trends in the areas of athleisure, sports fashion and streetwear will be presented in a separate hall at this year’s ISPO Munich with the Zeitgeist by ISPO and ISPO 520M concepts. On the Zeitgeist by ISPO area, brands from ISPO’s partner fair Copenhagen International Fashion Fair (CIFF), which ranks among the most important platforms for the international fashion industry, will show sports fashion concepts that traditionally tend to come from the fashion sector.

Sustainable

The Sustainability Hub in partnership with Patagonia and the Material Lab are the hotspots for green innovations. Topics such as natural materials, climate action and circular economy will be covered here. Brands such as Adidas and Gore-Tex show how sustainable materials can be both high-performance and environmentally friendly. The utilisation of algae as a renewable raw material, which is presented in the Material Lab, is a particularly exciting development. The Ski Industry Climate Summit, one of the partner conferences initiated by ATOMIC, discusses concrete solutions for making winter sports sustainable and resource-efficient.

Topics such as EU guidelines on human rights and environmental standards will be explored in greater detail in the Supply Chain Forum. Here, companies have the opportunity to learn about the latest developments and challenges in supply chains and to exchange ideas with key players.

Health and sport combined

The health market is booming. Holistic concepts offer enormous potential for the sports industry as a well-known provider of fitness solutions. Creative ideas for sport and health will accordingly go hand in hand at ISPO Munich 2024. The fair provides new impulses for the fusion of sport and health in cooperation with therapie MÜNCHEN. And the German Trainers’ Summit offers trainers opportunities to expand their expertise, network and discover new approaches for their daily work with athletes.

Exciting topics related to corporate health will be discussed on the Yellow Stage, where the themes include Pilates equipment training in rehabilitation and the effects of inactivity on the sporting goods industry. Networking, exchange, best practices in the sports industry and beyond: these are also among the topics of the panel of the WFSGI at ISPO Munich. Together with representatives from companies, politics and the World Health Organisation, current statistics will be discussed and awareness of the issue will be heightened.

The padel boom and the growing popularity of pickleball not only provide inspiration and hope for more exercise, but also offer lucrative opportunities for investors and manufacturers. Visitors can experience the latest developments and products in the Pickleball & Padel Village. The central court provides space for exciting matches, show courses and product presentations. Professionals will also be on site to share their tips.

ISPO 2025: Dynamism, innovation, and strong impulses through close industry dialogue

Sports are becoming increasingly diverse and blending with many new areas. As a result, the sports industry is growing larger, customer demand is changing, and its fields of application are becoming more varied. New technologies, data-driven business models, sustainability, and international networking are shaping the market. In this dynamic environment, ISPO exhibitors demonstrate how change can be actively shaped.

EOG and Messe München decide to pause OutDoor 2025

“Sometimes, courageous decisions are needed”, said Christian Schneidermeier, who recently took on his new role as Director of the European Outdoor Group at the beginning of February. “But beyond being courageous, our decision not to hold OutDoor in 2025 is logical. Despite our best efforts – ranging from a new trade fair concept to thorough discussions and appeals – the number of registrations that we have received to date indicates that we will not achieve the goals set for OutDoor 2025.

EOG and Messe München establish Retail Advisory Council

Retailers are calling for more brands, and brands are seeking greater retailer participation at the trade fair. This initiative aims to facilitate proactive exchanges, forge new business contacts, and collaboratively advance the industry. The European Outdoor Group (EOG) and Messe München have established the Retail Advisory Council to directly gather feedback from international retailers on their needs and requirements for the trade fair concept. The council will play a crucial role in shaping OutDoor 2025, ensuring closer retailer involvement in its development.

Première Vision Paris expands innovation focus across fashion and beauty

From September 1–3, 2026, Première Vision Paris will bring together more than 900 exhibitors from across the global fashion value chain. This year's edition places a strong emphasis on Innovation-Tech, highlighting technologies and materials that are reshaping product development, manufacturing and sustainability.

Intertextile Apparel opens next week with strengthened focus on performance, sustainability, and innovation

Opening 25 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2026 prepares to welcome thousands of global industry players for three days of sourcing, networking, and trend forecasting. Spanning 240,000 sqm, this edition will feature over 3,500 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, providing a comprehensive platform for fairgoers to explore new products, market directions, and business opportunities across the entire apparel textile value chain – with high-potential segments noticeably magnified.

Asia's fashion extravaganza CENTRESTAGE returns in September

Asia’s premier annual fashion event CENTRESTAGE--organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 2 to 5 September. One of the flagship programmes of the third "Hong Kong Fashion Fest", CENTRESTAGE will bring together some 270 brands from 24 countries and regions and will feature more than 40 spectacular events, including over 30 fashion shows.

SAITEX reports efficiency gains and greater transparency in 2025 Impact Report

Vietnam-based denim manufacturer SAITEX has published its 2025 Impact Report, documenting progress in resource efficiency, chemical management, digital traceability and knowledge sharing across its manufacturing operations in Vietnam and the United States. Rather than focusing on sustainability ambitions, the report presents operational data, manufacturing developments and lessons learned from the past year.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).

ICAC International Seminar in Taipei to explore strategic synergies across the textile supply chain

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) — together with the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF), under the guidance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan — will bring international cotton and textile leaders together in Taipei on September 10 for the ICAC International Seminar 2026.