JUNE IS RESERVED FOR THE SUNSET SPORTS FESTIVAL
The fifth edition of the Sunset Sports Festival will take place from June 4–6 in Zadar, once again confirming its status as a meeting point for key figures from the global sports scene. A new wave of speakers and a rich program will bring a strong focus on the economics of sport, international governance models, and technological innovations shaping the industry. Croatia will host some of the most influential names defining modern sport, including Judit Polgár, the greatest female chess player of all time; Callum Williams from The Economist; Alan Goh, the highest-ranking sports administrator in Singapore; artist Shelton Hawkins from Project Backboard; as well as leading figures from European basketball and volleyball, offering valuable insights into the development of sport as a global industry.
One of the standout names of this year’s festival is undoubtedly Judit Polgár, widely regarded as the greatest female chess player of all time and one of the most influential figures in the history of chess. As the only woman to break into the world’s top 10 and a player who has defeated legends such as Garry Kasparov, Polgár has redefined the boundaries of the sport and played a key role in changing the perception of women in chess on a global level. Her impact extends far beyond competition, further highlighted by the global success of the recent Netflix documentary about her life and career. Through her appearance, the festival opens a broader conversation on decision-making, strategic thinking, and leadership—topics equally relevant in both sport and business today.
This year’s program further deepens the themes the festival has consistently explored over the years, particularly sport as a serious global business where economics, governance, and technology intersect. In this context, Callum Williams from The Economist will bring a macroeconomic perspective on sport, with a special focus on the value of sporting events and the experiences they create, as well as their impact on local and national economies. Alan Goh, drawing from the experience of Sport Singapore, will demonstrate how a strategic, state-level approach can shape sports infrastructure, talent development, and global positioning in the long term. This combination of different models and approaches opens up important questions about what can be applied in local contexts.
Alongside economic and governance aspects, the program will strongly address the development of sports competitions and organizations. The panel “Building the Game Together: The Future of Basketball” will gather key figures in European basketball—İbrahim Erkan, Sports Director of the EuroLeague; Benjamin Gauthier, Director of Commercial and Marketing at the FIBA Basketball Champions League; and Dubravko Kmetović, Director of the ABA League. Their discussion will focus on the increasingly relevant topic of the potential arrival of the NBA in Europe, including possible changes in competition formats, commercial strategies, and relationships within European basketball.
Volleyball will also take center stage this year through the panel “New Era of Volleyball,” bringing together leading figures from European and regional volleyball—Roko Sikirić, President of CEV; Frane Žanić, President of the Croatian Volleyball Federation; and Valentina Bifflin, President of MEVZA and Director of the Croatian Volleyball Federation.
An important part of this year’s edition is the connection between global trends and concrete local impact. The arrival of Shelton Hawkins, a digital creator and artist behind Project Backboard, is part of the “Back to the Playground” initiative. Through this initiative, the festival—together with Project Backboard and the Under the Rim association—participates in the revitalization of sports courts and encourages young people to return to sport, connecting design, art, and sport within the local community. The project in Croatia will begin with the renovation of a court in Zadar, which will be the first of its kind in Europe after ten years. The official opening of the court will take place on Wednesday, the day before the festival begins.
The exclusivity of the festival is further highlighted by the official announcement of the Sofascore Player of the Season award winner, which will open this year’s edition, as in previous years. The award, based on data and analytics, reflects the growing role of technology in how sport is monitored, analyzed, and evaluated.
In addition to its content, the festival continues to develop its format through three specialized stages – Main Stage, Esports Stage and Performance & Health Lab, allowing participants to explore different aspects of the industry simultaneously. Following last year’s success, Marco Messina from CBS Sports will return to Zadar with Sunset Sessions, a series of conversations and podcasts with key festival guests.
Sunset Sports Festival 2026 continues to build a platform that brings together relevant global stakeholders and opens discussions on the future of sport—from economics and governance to technology, design, and social impact.
The festival is supported by the Zadar Tourist Board and the Croatian National Tourist Board. More information about the program and speakers of the fifth edition can be found on the festival’s social media channels: Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.
