At the beginning of June, Zadar shifts its rhythm for a few days. The city becomes a livelier, more dynamic version of itself — a place where people from the worlds of sport, business, and creative industries come together, along with everyone who knows how to recognize a great atmosphere.
At the heart of it all is the Sunset Sports Festival, returning to Zadar from June 4 to 6, once again proving why it is much more than a traditional conference. Days are filled with talks, panels, and encounters that open up new perspectives, while evenings naturally unfold by the sea through networking, sunsets, and parties that have become an essential part of the experience.
It is precisely this blend of content and atmosphere that makes it unique: Sunset Sports Festival is the kind of event you simply surrender to — through the people you meet, the city that surrounds you, and the moments that happen in between the official program.
If you need another reason to be in Zadar in early June, here are 10 reasons why this year’s edition stands out.
1. Global names shaping the future of sport
This year’s edition once again brings together some of the most influential figures in the industry — people who don’t just follow trends, but define them. Among them are legendary chess player Judit Polgár, Callum Williams from The Economist, and Alan Goh from Sport Singapore, alongside leading names from European basketball and volleyball.
2. Judit Polgár brings lessons beyond the chessboard
The greatest female chess player of all time is not coming to talk only about chess. Her appearance goes beyond the sports context and is relevant to anyone interested in strategic thinking, decision-making, and leadership — skills essential in every industry.
3. Sport as a serious industry
One of the festival’s central themes is the economics of sport. How do major sporting events impact the development of cities and countries? What roles do investments, infrastructure, and global brands play? These are the topics experts like Callum Williams will address.
4. The future of European basketball in one place
The panel “Building the Game Together: The Future of Basketball” will tackle one of the most актуал questions in the industry — the potential arrival of the NBA in Europe. The discussion will cover its impact on existing competition formats, relationships within European basketball, and commercial models.
5. Esports: the industry everyone is talking about — in one place
One of the fastest-growing segments today, esports combines sport, gaming, and digital culture into a global phenomenon attracting increasing audiences and investments. At the Esports Stage, this story moves beyond the screen — through the people building it, the conversations shaping it, and the atmosphere that shows why esports has become an essential part of the modern sports industry.
6. Performance & Health Lab reveals what lies behind top athletic results
Top performance is not a coincidence — it’s a system. The Performance & Health Lab stage opens up topics such as recovery, stress, nutrition, and data usage — all key elements that make the difference at the highest level. Through insights and experiences from experts like Nenad Medančić, Sebastijan Orlić, Petra Jurić, Mirela Anić, and Igor Blažinčić, it shows how performance can be understood, trained, and continuously elevated.
7. Connecting global themes with concrete local action
The arrival of Shelton Hawkins — creative director and artist known for collaborations with global projects such as Project Backboard — and the initiative “Back to the Playground” demonstrate that Sunset Sports Festival goes beyond conversation. Through his work, Shelton merges aesthetics and functionality, transforming sports courts into works of art that inspire communities. Ahead of the festival, the association Under The Rim will renovate a playground in Zadar, serving as a tangible example of how sport, design, and community can work together.
8. Data, analytics, and the new reality of sport
The Sofascore “Player of the Season” award highlights how crucial data has become in modern sport. Analytics now shapes how we understand, follow, and evaluate athletic performance.
9. Days are for panels, evenings are for parties
One of the key advantages of the Sunset Sports Festival is its format. Through the Main Stage, Esports Stage, and Performance & Health Lab, the festival simultaneously covers the sports industry, the digital world of esports, and topics of health, performance, and modern athletic preparation. Between panels, there is networking and socializing — but the festival doesn’t end with the last session of the day. The focus naturally shifts from the stages to seaside gatherings and parties that have become its signature.
10. Zadar as the perfect start to summer
Early June in Zadar has a special charm — the city is not yet in peak season, yet already offers everything people love about it: the sea, warm evenings, sunsets, and a relaxed atmosphere. At that moment, Zadar looks and feels its best, and the Sunset Sports Festival is the perfect reason to experience it firsthand.
Sunset Sports Festival today goes beyond the boundaries of a sports event. It has become a platform for those who want to understand what sport will look like tomorrow — as a business, a media product, a technological space, and part of a broader social context.
All those who want to be part of this year’s edition can purchase their tickets via: www.sunsetsportsfestival.com
