The conversation about crypto and gaming used to happen mostly in whitepapers. Now it’s happening in boardrooms, term sheets, and product roadmaps β and the people driving it are showing up in Lisbon this September.
SBC Summit 2026, running September 29 β October 1 at Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena, is the flagship annual event of the global gaming industry. It calls itself “The Greatest Show in Gaming,” and by most objective measures, that’s not marketing β it’s just accurate. For crypto and Web3 founders, it’s also become one of the most strategically important events on the calendar, whether or not you’ve ever thought of yourself as a gaming company.
ICODA is proud to be a media partner of SBC Summit 2026. Here’s a full breakdown of what the event offers, why it matters for blockchain builders, how to make the most of it and best SBC Summit 2026 promo code to use.
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What Is SBC Summit?
delegates from 150+ countries
exhibitors and sponsors on the show floor
world-class speakers across six themed conference stages
consecutive evenings of events, including the INFINITY closing party headlined by TiΓ«sto at MEO Arena
SBC (Sports Betting Community) runs one of the most respected media and events operations in global gaming. The Summit is its flagship gathering β an annual convergence of operators, technology providers, payment companies, affiliates, investors, and regulators that has grown into one of the largest B2B events in any industry.
The 2026 edition is set to be the biggest yet.
This is not a vertical niche event. Its scale is part of what makes it valuable β especially for crypto founders whose products need to cross into mainstream industries to reach their real potential.
Why Founders Should Be Paying Attention
Most crypto conferences put you in a room full of people who already believe in blockchain. That’s useful for a certain type of conversation. But if your product needs to integrate with regulated operators, payment processors, or established platforms, you need to be in rooms where the buyers are β and SBC Summit is exactly that.
The gaming industry is one of the most advanced early adopters of blockchain technology in the world. Crypto payment rails are already live in multiple regulated markets. Web3-based platforms are attracting institutional capital. And the regulatory frameworks being built right now will define the rules that everyone has to operate within for the next decade.
Here’s what that means in practice for Web3 founders:
- C-level operators from tier-one gaming companies are actively evaluating blockchain integrations
- Payment infrastructure conversations at this event happen within the context of real-money, regulated markets β not hypothetical use cases
- Investors with actual gaming and fintech portfolio experience are on the floor, not just on panels
- Regulators from multiple jurisdictions attend in person, making this a rare opportunity to understand compliance requirements firsthand
- The Media Hub brings together journalists from gaming, fintech, and tech press β genuine PR opportunity for projects that show up prepared
- The Startup Hub provides structured access for early-stage companies to present to partners and investors without needing a massive booth budget
If your project touches payments, gaming infrastructure, digital assets, or user verification, the audience at SBC Summit is your audience too.
Sessions and Tracks Built for Blockchain Builders
The conference program spans six themed stages, plus a deep education layer of tech academies and hands-on masterclasses. Several tracks are directly relevant to anyone building in the crypto or Web3 space.
| Track / Program | Focus Area | Why It Matters for Crypto Founders |
|---|---|---|
| Web3 Academy | Blockchain’s evolving role in gaming, digital assets, decentralized platforms | Structured deep dives taught by active practitioners β not surface-level overviews |
| Payment Expert Summit | Crypto payment infrastructure, fintech regulation, alternative banking rails | The operational reality of getting crypto accepted within regulated, licensed markets |
| AI Academy | AI integration across product, marketing, and operations | Practical frameworks directly applicable to any tech-forward product team |
| Digital Marketing & CRM Academy | Acquisition strategy, retention mechanics, and growth in competitive markets | Translatable insight for crypto project growth and community-building teams |
| Product Innovation Showcase | Live demos of emerging technology from exhibitors and startups | Real-time competitive intelligence and on-the-spot partnership discovery |
| Startup Hub | Dedicated space for early-stage companies to pitch, exhibit, and connect | Founder-focused access to investors, operators, and media in a structured format |
The keynote lineup sets the tone for the caliber of conversation across the entire event. Michael Jordan, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, and Sportradar founder Carsten Koerl headline the opening day at the Super Stage in MEO Arena. These aren’t token celebrity appearances β they represent the intersection of sports, entertainment, technology, and capital that defines where the industry is going.
Networking: Where the Real Business Actually Happens
If you’ve attended enough conferences, you already know the uncomfortable truth: the main stage is rarely where the deals get made. It’s the structured side meetings, the VIP dinners, the chance conversations between sessions that turn into six-month partnerships.
SBC Summit takes this seriously to a degree that most events don’t. The networking infrastructure is one of the most deliberately designed in the industry.
Networking formats running across all three days:
- Smart Connect β AI-powered matchmaking that identifies the right counterparts and lets you schedule meetings before the event opens
- SBC Connect Meets β Pre-arranged one-on-one sessions with vetted attendees across specific verticals
- Speed Networking β High-volume structured rounds designed for rapid-fire introductions at scale
- Regulatory Gaming Meetups β Focused sessions with compliance and regulatory specialists, organized by jurisdiction
- VIP Dinners β Intimate evening events bringing senior decision-makers together outside the noise of the show floor
- Show Floor Tours β Expert-guided walks through key exhibitor zones with real-time commentary on what to pay attention to
Beyond the formal program, three evenings in Lisbon β including the opening party and the INFINITY closing event β provide the kind of unstructured time that consistently produces the most valuable conversations. Relationships built over dinner in Lisbon tend to turn into contracts before the end of the year.
Ticket Options β and How to Save 30%
SBC Summit offers multiple ticket tiers. Operators, affiliates, and licensed regulators may qualify for complimentary passes through a short application reviewed by the SBC team within 3β5 business days. For everyone else, the options range from a free Expo Only Pass to full VIP access.
| Ticket Type | What’s Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Expo Only Pass | Full show floor and exhibitor access | First-time attendees and early-stage scouting |
| Conference Pass | Expo + all six conference stages and educational sessions | Founders focused on insight and industry education |
| Networking Pass | Expo + priority access to all structured networking formats | BD leads and partnership-focused teams |
| Combined Access | Conference Pass + Networking Pass together | Founders who want both content and structured connections |
| VIP Pass | Full access including VIP Dinners, exclusive lounges, and priority everything | Senior executives and active dealmakers |
ICODA exclusive: As a media partner of SBC Summit 2026, we’re sharing a 30% discount with our community. Use code ICODAPARTNERVIP at checkout when registering.
Register at: sbcevents.com/sbc-summit/ticket-options
The Bottom Line
The gaming industry and the crypto ecosystem are no longer moving on parallel tracks. They’re converging β and the companies that understand both sides of that convergence are the ones defining the market right now.
SBC Summit 2026 is three days, one city, and 40,000 people: including the operators, investors, and regulators who will decide which blockchain products break through into mainstream adoption and which ones stay confined to crypto-native audiences.
The Web3 Academy, the Payment Expert Summit, the Startup Hub, and one of the most sophisticated networking programs in the industry are all under one roof in Lisbon from September 29. The only question is whether you’re in the room.
Use code ICODAPARTNERVIP for 30% off any ticket tier.
See you in Lisbon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
September 29 β October 1, 2026, at Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.
Anyone operating at the intersection of gaming, Web3, payments, or crypto. Founders, C-levels, product leads, BD teams, and investors all have a clear reason to be there.
Yes. The Web3 Academy covers blockchain’s role in gaming, digital assets, and decentralized platforms β with sessions led by active industry practitioners.
Use code ICODAPARTNERVIP at checkout on the official registration page for 30% off any paid ticket tier.
Operators, affiliates, and regulators may qualify for complimentary passes through a short application form. A free Expo Only Pass is also available to everyone, covering full access to the show floor and exhibitor areas.
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