Neil Fagg, co-founder of EBL, explained: “Every year, EBL supports a charity and moving forward (after three years supporting Mental Health UK), we have chosen to support the British Heart Foundation.

“It’s a charity and purpose that is too close to the team and me personally, and sadly, the facts and statistics on the BHF website don’t lie. Heart and circulatory diseases cause around a quarter (26 per cent) of all deaths in the UK. I lost a key figure in my world this year because of a Coronary Artery Aneurysm. Out of a dark situation, light can be found and from one loss, another life can be saved through awareness and pushing others to get checked and tested.

“Over the last few months, I have spoken to people I admire and trust who encouraged me to focus on a charity that speaks to you emotionally and for that reason, we’re so, so proud to support BHF.

“We want to raise as much money as possible for the charity and help Team BHF raise awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Why? Because every day, in the UK, 270 people are admitted to hospital after having a heart attack and there are more than 40,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year. Just think, how many of those heart attacks could take place on your event site or office environment?”

Fagg continued: “Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of someone surviving a heart attack by up to ten per cent. If we can educate our audience on the crucial work that BHF does, raise money to support its work, and give our audience an amazing opportunity to learn a life-saving skill than I could not be more proud, and I know my family will be too. Especially my Godfather who also trained others and served more than 25 years with St John Ambulance.”

Team BHF will deliver CPR and defibrillator training at EBL25, which takes place at Carden Park, Cheshire (November 10-12).

Tess Swainson, fundraising manager at BHF, said: “We’re delighted that EBL has chosen to support the British Heart Foundation and the vital work that me and the team carry out on a daily basis. There are more than 7.6 million people in the UK living with CVD and a range of heart conditions so the more people that Team BHF can educate on the amazing work that we do, the better.

“I am looking forward to attending EBL with my colleagues to deliver CPR and defibrillator training and talk to event professionals about common questions we get asked every day, such as what to do if you have to carry out CPR on a woman. We have worked with lots of organisations, delivering support and advice so we can’t wait to help spread the message even further.”

Fagg continued: “We want to support BHF, which is why we would like to raise as much money as possible and fund their amazing work by asking everyone to make any donation possible.  For those attending EBL25, there will be a blind and live auction running on-site, but anyone can support our goal and target of raising £10,000 this year via our JustGiving page - www.justgiving.com/page/event-buyers-live-2025

Alternatively, if you wish to apply and attend the event in-person, simply apply via www.eventbuyerslive.com

One of Scotland’s most recognisable sports media professionals, Rhona brings over two decades of experience in broadcasting, presenting, hosting and interviewing across the sporting world. She has reported from six Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, and will work on her sixth Commonwealth Games at Glasgow 2026. Her career highlights also include Wimbledon, the FIFA World Cup Finals, The Open Championship in golf, European and World Athletics Championships, and the Six Nations rugby.

A former international long jumper for Scotland, Rhona has travelled the globe as a sports journalist, working on every continent except Antarctica. As a proud Scot, she is especially delighted to welcome delegates to her home city of Glasgow for Host City 2025.

Speaking about her appointment, Rhona McLeod said:

“I am absolutely thrilled to be hosting Host City 2025. I have lived my professional life in the sports events business, and I cannot speak highly enough of the cultural value of working alongside a diverse and committed workforce of global citizens.

“It’s such an exciting time for the Events world. The return has been vibrant post COVID. I am honoured to be invited to be a part of “Getting on with the Business of Events.”

“I am excited to welcome all delegates to my home city. It’s going to be a fantastic programme of events with the most impressive of international sporting professionals on stage. We have already hosted Spiderman this summer – we are ready to welcome a great deal more Superheroes in December.”

Host City 2025 will gather event owners and organisers, cities and destinations and event suppliers under the theme “Getting on with the Business of Events” and will highlight the opportunities and challenges facing the global events industry in a rapidly evolving world.

The Organising Committee announced the programme at its headquarters in Salt Lake City on Monday, with 22 “Founding Captains” and “Founding Donors” of Podium34 recognised. Some of these have remained anonymous, while others have chosen to go public.

There are two tiers of participants. The Founding Captains, who have provided a $20 million contribution, and the Founding Donors, who donated between $1-15 million each. For Founding Captains, there is an opportunity to see their support turned into sport and community initiatives that reflect their missions. These can be in areas such as education, youth sports, mental health, arts and culture and community engagement.

Salt Lake City-Utah’s aim is to raise $300 million through the programme, with Podium34 reportedly already making up over $200 million on the date of its launch. Organisers claim this is the “largest-ever philanthropic campaign in support of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games”.

“The Games have an extraordinary power to unify," said Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 President and Executive Chair Fraser Bullock. "This is the first time a host for the Olympic and Paralympic Games has seen anything like this. We are deeply grateful to our donors for making it possible. Their leadership is a vital part of our commitment to host financially successful Games.”

Some of these donors include the non-profit foundations linked to Utah corporations. Among them are Ryan Smith, owner of National Basketball Association team Utah Jazz and National Hockey League side Utah Mammoth. Others include convenience store corporation Maverik, and the Daniels Fund – a foundation founded by cable television executive and former sports team owner Bill Daniels.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry sent a message of gratitude to the donors, during the Podium34 press announcement.

“To the Utah families and giving organisations of Podium34, thank you.

“You are the heart of this new chapter. Your belief, your vision, and your leadership are powerful elements of the Utah legacy. As Founding Captains and Donors of Podium34, you’re taking the helm of something unprecedented and you’ve chosen to lead, from the very beginning, to fuel the heart of this movement.

“You are sending a powerful message to the world that sport can inspire, that communities can be lifted, and that, together, we can build something greater than ourselves.”

Salt Lake City-Utah was awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 and formed their Organising Committee in February of this year. The IOC Future Host Commission nominated Salt Lake City-Utah as its preferred candidate in November 2023, before this was approved at the IOC Session in Paris in July 2024.

The 2034 Winter Olympic Games are set to take place from February 10 to 26 2034, followed by the Paralympic Games from March 10 to 19.

Host City: How are the final preparations going for the upcoming IWF World Championships in Førde?

Mohammed Jalood: In less than a month, on 2 October, the world's best lifters will gather in Førde, Norway, for the 2025 IWF World Championships. Thanks to a great partnership with the Norwegian Weightlifting Federation and local authorities, we're in fantastic shape to provide an incredible experience for our athletes and fans. We have no doubt that it will be an amazing experience for everyone involved.

Host City: What will the city of Førde bring to this edition of the IWF World Championships?

Mohammed Jalood: Not only will Førde provide a picturesque backdrop of fjords, mountains, glaciers and forests, but there will be entertainment and activities for fans in the central square, providing a chance for families and weightlifting fans to enjoy a festival-like atmosphere during the competition.

Due to the geographical nature of Førde, these Championships will ensure short distances between venues, hotels, and entertainment for athletes, locals and visiting fans. We hope that will create a real community experience for all involved in the competition, where everyone feels a part of this sporting celebration.  

Host City: Given Norway's recent success in weightlifting, how do you believe hosting these Championships in Førde will further inspire and develop the sport within Norway the region?

Mohammed Jalood: Solfrid Koanda’s incredible success at Paris 2024, entering the record books as the first woman from Norway to win Olympic weightlifting gold and the first European woman to win in a weight category above 80kg, has already inspired a whole new generation of lifters in Norway and throughout Scandinavia. The World Championships in Førde will no doubt build on this momentum, introducing our sport to new fans and increasing our engagement as we continue the exciting journey towards LA28.

Host City: Sustainability is a key focus for Førde and the IWF. Can you tell us more about the IWF’s sustainability strategy?

Mohammed Jalood: We recognise that, even as an indoor sport, we are not immune to the effects of climate change. The health of our planet is vital for our athletes' training and competitions. Therefore, we are dedicated to addressing this important issue head-on. In March 2024, we collaborated with Sporting Giants, our key partner for our Sustainability Strategy, to develop a comprehensive roadmap. This plan aims to unify our National Federations, our event organisers and the wider weightlifting community in a shared approach to environmental stewardship.

Host City: How is the IWF ensuring that all athletes have the best possible conditions and support to perform their best in Førde?

Mohammed Jalood: As well as providing a high standard of accommodation, we are working with the city to ensure a seamless, athlete-focused experience throughout the World Championships. By providing smooth and efficient transport between venues and hotels, the athletes can remain focused on competing at their best and putting on a world-class performance. As the International Federation with decades of major event experience, we are working hand-in-hand with Førde to ensure that we cater to the needs of all our lifters.

[Source: Glasgow 2026] In a move set to redefine the delivery of world-class sporting events, Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games has appointed Trivandi, a global leader in the planning, design and operational delivery of major events, as the Official Event Delivery Partner.
The appointment brings together Glasgow’s celebrated reputation as a world-leading host city with Trivandi’s proven track record in advisory, design and venue delivery services for major international events, including every Summer Olympic Games since London 2012, the last three Commonwealth Games, FIFA World Cups and World Expos.  
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, taking place from 23 July to 2 August next summer, will mark a new era for Commonwealth Sport, with a more sustainable and inclusive delivery model. As the Official Event Delivery Partner, Trivandi will be responsible for the overlay and venue operations at Glasgow's iconic, world-class sports venues, transforming them into Commonwealth Games ready facilities.  
At the heart of the model is a ‘One Team’ approach which will embed international specialists into key operational roles in the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company, and a commitment to recruiting 250 workforce roles to deliver the Games, with the majority from within Glasgow and the surrounding areas.  
Glasgow 2026 will set a new benchmark for future Games, providing a replicable framework for future hosts across the Commonwealth, demonstrating how cities can stage world-class sporting competitions while maximising local employment benefits and minimising environmental impact. This will ensure the Games remain accessible to nations and territories of all sizes and economic circumstances while delivering meaningful legacy benefits.  
Phil Batty OBE, CEO, Glasgow 2026: “There is no better city than Glasgow to host this forward-thinking delivery model and change the future of how major multi-sport events are delivered. Our partnership with Trivandi signals our absolute confidence in delivering an exceptional Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next summer.  
“Trivandi’s world-class expertise and shared values of innovation, inclusion and impact will ensure Glasgow 2026 is remembered not only for outstanding sport but for the positive impacts it delivers for communities and businesses as well as future host nations and the next generation of world-class Athletes.”
The Trivandi Academy, using Chartered Management Institute-accredited programmes, will equip local talent with internationally recognised qualifications and further build Scotland’s capacity to deliver major events.   
Trivandi’s award-winning sustainability arm, The Bulb, will ensure every element of venue transformation is designed for reuse, monitored for energy efficiency, and minimises environmental impact.  
James Bulley OBE, CEO and Co-founder, Trivandi: “Glasgow 2026 represents a pivotal moment for the Commonwealth Sport Movement. Together, we’re proving that world-class events can be delivered sustainably, cost-effectively, and with profound social impact. Our commitment extends beyond the Games and that is why we are investing in Glasgow’s people, communities and sporting future.”
With the largest Para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history and a concentrated venue footprint bringing fans closer to the action than ever before, Glasgow 2026 is already set to be one of the most inclusive and accessible major multi-sport events ever staged. Trivandi will conduct comprehensive accessibility audits and implement venue enhancements to ensure exceptional experiences for all.
Commonwealth Sport CEO, Katie Sadleir said: “Glasgow 2026 will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow - a bold, reimagined model that prioritises flexibility, sustainability and inclusivity. By drawing on Trivandi’s world-class expertise, it’s set to maximise local employment benefits and minimise environmental impact. It will be a truly transformative Games.”  
Since its founding in 2013 out of the success of London 2012, Trivandi has delivered more than 300 projects in 29 countries from offices in UK, the Middle East and Australia. Its work has spanned the world’s most complex venue transformations and the most celebrated sporting spectacles, making it uniquely qualified to match the scale, prestige and vision of the reimagined Commonwealth Games.

[Source: QOC] His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), has officially announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), reaffirming his commitment to contributing to the development and unity of Asian sport in the years ahead.

The announcement follows the Olympic Council of Asia’s official call for nominations for the presidential elections, issued on 15 July 2025, in preparation for the upcoming General Assembly, which will be held in January 2026 in the city of Tashkent.

On this occasion, H.E. Sheikh Joaan expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to H.E. Raja Randhir Singh, the current OCA President, for his significant contributions and dedicated leadership in advancing Asian sport, as well as his unwavering commitment to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among National Olympic Committees across the continent. His Excellency also fully supported the OCA Executive Board’s decision to appoint H.E. Raja Randhir Singh as Honorary Life President of the Olympic Council of Asia, in recognition of his longstanding service and enduring legacy within the Olympic Movement in Asia.

H.E. Sheikh Joaan affirmed that his candidacy is rooted in a strong belief in the power of sport to foster development and unity among nations. He emphasized the potential of Asian sport to achieve transformational progress in areas such as governance, sustainability, digital transformation, and athlete empowerment.

He also highlighted the importance of promoting fairness in opportunity distribution, strengthening collaboration among NOCs, enhancing sports infrastructure, and creating greater platforms for youth and women to take part in shaping the future of sport in Asia.

His Excellency’s candidature is built on an ambitious strategic vision for Asian sport, grounded in five core pillars: solidarity, digital transformation, sustainable development, credibility, and economic and financial resilience. It is underpinned by His Excellency’s extensive experience in sports, his proven track record at the helm of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and his active role within the international Olympic Movement, particularly as Senior Vice President of ANOC.

The upcoming OCA election is expected to draw significant interest from the international sporting community, amid growing global challenges and the need for dynamic leadership that promotes transparency, cooperation, and innovation across the Asian sports landscape.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Kuwait City, the Olympic Council of Asia is one of the most prominent continental sports organizations. It brings together 45 National Olympic Committees and plays a pivotal role in coordinating regional sports activities, supporting development initiatives, and enhancing cooperation in governance, infrastructure, and institutional capacity building.

The OCA also oversees the organization of major multi-sport events including the Asian Games, Asian Winter Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Asian Beach Games, and the Asian Youth Games - competitions that continue to elevate Asia’s sporting profile on the world stage.

[Source: Greater Orlando Sports Commission] – Orlando has reaffirmed why it’s one of the world’s premier international sports destinations, hosting the 2025 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior National Volleyball Championships, the world’s largest volleyball tournament. The event, which ran from June 13 to July 7, attracted over 6,500 teams and 325,500 estimated athletes, coaches, and spectators from all 50 states and multiple countries to Orlando, setting new participation and attendance records.

Hosted at the Orange County Convention Center, one of more than 40 elite venues in the Greater Orlando region, the event will drive significant economic impact. Simultaneously, Orlando hosted matches for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, demonstrating the region’s unmatched ability to accommodate an influx of visitors for overlapping events and reinforcing its status as a leader in sports tourism.

The conclusion of this year’s tournament coincided with the International Volleyball Federation’s (FIVB) World Volleyball Day, a global celebration of the sport’s unifying power and cultural impact on July 7. The alignment underscores Orlando’s commitment to volleyball at all levels and highlights the city’s role on the international stage in promoting the growth of the game.

“We are so thankful for our community partners when it comes to arranging the AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships,” said Jo Mirza, President of AAU. “Without the Orange County Convention Center, Greater Orlando Sports Commission and Visit Orlando, we wouldn’t be able to host this premier event for AAU’s largest sport.”

“The AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships have become a cornerstone event in our region’s sports tourism portfolio,” said Greater Orlando Sports Commission President and CEO Jason Siegel. “This year’s record-setting tournament underscores the power of strategic, long-term collaboration with partners like Visit Orlando, Orange County, and the Orange County Convention Center. As the trusted host destination for nearly three decades, Orlando takes great pride in consistently delivering elevated experiences that set a national benchmark for youth sports.”

The successful execution of the 2025 AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships adds to Orlando’s growing portfolio of major sports events and showcases the region’s ability to host competitions at the highest level. With a growing calendar of athletic events, Orlando has built a strong track record in delivering major competitions across a wide range of sports. The region’s continued investment in premier venues, visitor experience, and a collaborative hosting approach has helped attract and sustain both amateur and professional events.

[Source: ESA] Four female Directors were newly elected to the Board of the European Sponsorship Association (ESA) at the AGM in London.

Amy Mansell (Global Partnerships Director at ELEMIS), Ceri Powell (Head of Sponsorships & Partnerships at Orchard Media and Events Group), Grace O’Grady (Vice President, Account Management at Live Nation) and Tanya Townsend (Head of Sponsorship & Brand Activation at Three) were elected by their fellow ESA Members, while existing Board Director Risto Oksanen (CEO at Red Carpet Brand Alliances Oy) was re-elected.

The election of four women to fill the five vacant positions means ESA now has nine female and seven male Board Directors – a female majority for the first time.

A new high of five representatives based outside of the UK is also evidence of the increasingly diverse European sponsorship community, while Amy Mansell’s and Tanya Townsend’s success in the election increases the brand representation on the Board to five companies.

Filip Waegemans (Owner and Sponsorship Expert at Skaut) and Michael Hope-Milne (Enterprise Director at Pearl & Dean) were also appointed Board Advisors.

Besides the elections, ESA also presented information to members from all existing workstreams and the new Arts & Culture and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Workstreams, as well as information about the continuing growth of the membership community.

ESA Chair Sophie Morris said: “I’m extremely proud of how our community continues to elevate sponsorship standards across the continent, making the industry more dynamic, more sustainable and more representative, and today’s AGM gave us the chance to reflect on this progress.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Amy, Ceri, Grace and Tanya to the Board of Directors and it’s wonderful to see Risto continue his tenure. We look forward to working with all five of them and it’s wonderful that we have such a diverse Board as we continue to focus on our role as the essential and inclusive community for all professionals working in sponsorship.

“As we continue to bring new members into our international community we will remain focused on giving all sponsorship professionals the best possible value and a rewarding experience in all aspects of their engagement with ESA.

“It is great news for ESA that Filip Waegemans and Michael Hope-Milne will support the Board in an advisory capacity. And I am hugely grateful to Antony Douglass, James Goode, Jenny Seymour and Misha Sher for the outstanding contribution they have made in their time as ESA Board Directors, and hope they will all remain a part of our thriving community.”

[Source: IFAF] The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising a partnership under which the two International Federations (IFs) will collaborate with the primary aim of optimising costs and environmental impacts associated with key areas of governance.

The wide-ranging agreement, which is thought to be a first of its kind between IFs, reflects a shared commitment to progressive sports governance in line with the priorities of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) Agenda 2020 + 5.

Cooperation in the framework of the MoU is already under way, with the two organisations agreeing to co-finance the attendance of legal delegates to the IOC Medical Conference and Prevention of Competition Manipulation Workshop in 2025.

These areas – medical, safeguarding and integrity – represent a core focus for collaboration under the agreement, which is structured around three pillars:

• Shared Resources, exploring opportunities for co-funding and mutualisation;
• Knowledge transfer, via regular exchange of experience and best practices; and
• Cross-promotion initiatives, seeking to enhance the visibility of both sports and their respective athletes in the build-up to the Olympic Games LA28.

The two International Federations are respectively among the youngest and most established in the Olympic movement, presenting considerable value in exchange.

IFAF achieved full IOC recognition in 2023 and was awarded associate membership of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) at the organisation’s General Assembly in 2024, following the inclusion of flag football on the sports programme of the Olympic Games LA28. The fast-growing, high-speed version of America’s favourite sport is set to be among the most high-profile attractions at the Games in Los Angeles, where it will enjoy a prime downtown venue and with leading NFL stars recently cleared to compete.

Shooting sport featured on the programme of the first modern Olympic Games and has been governed internationally by ISSF since its establishment in 1907. The ISSF has ambitious plans to further build on the sport’s popularity in north America, leveraging two competition venues at LA Clays and the Long Beach Convention Center that puts the sport at the centre of the Games plan.

Pierre Trochet, President of IFAF, said: “We are pleased to strengthen our cooperation with the ISSF – a federation that shares our commitment to exemplary and progressive governance, and is open to innovative approaches to optimising costs and impacts.

“Pioneering new, smart models of collaboration is a cornerstone of IFAF’s growth strategy, as we have demonstrated through our transformative partnerships with professional leagues. With this MoU, we are extending the same approach to institutional governance, allowing us to drive mutual benefits and efficiencies, and for IFAF – as a young and ambitious federation, determined to implement best practices – to benefit from the wealth of experience held by our established peers.”

ISSF President, Luciano Rossi, said: “As one of the founder members of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, it is a pleasure to join forces with IFAF, who after many years of dedicated effort has become one of the newest members of the Olympic family. We are looking forward to working together in areas of mutual interest and I am confident that through creative collaboration we can become more efficient individually but also contribute new ideas in support of the Olympic movement.”

"We are in a period of transition in the Olympic Movement," ASOIF President Ingmar de Vos said in his speech welcoming IOC President-Elect Kirsty Coventry and paying tribute to IOC President Thomas Bach, at the ASOIF General Assembly.
Also addressing President-Elect Kirsty Coventry, World Athletics President Lord Coe said: "There is a huge opportunity with the new leadership to create the reset around the relationship between the IOC and the IFs, and particularly the review of the revenue generation model. 
"We all want the pinnacle of Olympic sport being the pinnacle of the four year summer sporting cycle and we look forward to working with you. You will have the support all the IFs; we stand ready to support you. 
IOC President-Elect Kirsty Coventry said: "We would all love to say we hope the next few years are going to be smooth but I'm not sure that's quite going to be the case."
Listing the challenges ahead, she referred to "all the geopolitics we are going to need to navigate, the more and more conflicts that our world is facing, revenue models."
"We won't always agree. We hope we can be respectful enough to disagree... but that's what a family is about. It's how we are going to come together to make sure we have the best Olympic Games and the best platform for generations to come."

Bravely challenge models

With reference to recent "tough discussions" with ASOIF about "event delivery", she said "International federations need to play a greater role."
"It's important to take some time to engage with all of you to fully understand not just want your expectations are, but how we are going to deliver extraordinary Games in LA and Brisbane, and into the future. 
"We have to be brave enough to challenge some of the models that we've been doing.
"It's very clear there are two priorities, two pillars: the Olympic Games, and ensuring the Olympic Games is the biggest success for our athletes; and the second one is then building a better world through sport. The first one has to be extremely successful in order to have the second one. 
"So we really need to focus on how we are going to ensure together we are going to have incredible Games that will inspire generations and more people across the world."