IAKS Congress 2026

The 29th edition of the IAKS Congress, held as part of the FSB trade show in Cologne, attracted nearly 500 delegates from 41 countries. SportsNation attended the event, which mixed a comprehensive educational programme with networking opportunities

The 2025 IAKS Congress offered four days of activities, from keynote speakers and panel discussions to the opportunity to take part in a pre-congress pool study tour. The theme of the educational sessions this year was “Creating high-performing facilities for an active future”. The opening session introduced delegates to the Davos Baukultur Alliance (DBA) and how its principles are implemented in practice. Baukultur is a German word that translates to ‘building culture’ and during the session, Dr Anne Pfeil from DBA explained how the initiative’s eight-principle quality system promotes better living environments worldwide. This was followed by an informative session which looked at the latest strategies and trends that are driving the sector towards net-zero sports and leisure facilities. Led by Mike Hall from architects FaulknerBrowns and Mark Palmer, Director at consultants Max Fordham, delegates were offered insights into how a “soft landings” approach is often crucial to ensure buildings achieve the energy performance they have been designed to produce. The approach encourages a gradual handing over of a new building, extending involvement from designers and builders past completion for a period of time, ensuring a smooth transition by focusing on training, fine-tuning systems and verifying performance against initial goals.

Sometimes, a soft-landing approach can be as simple as designers guiding operational staff through the way a building is “meant to operate”.

“Designing a sports building so it utilises natural light – with the goal of saving energy – is pointless, if the staff don’t realise the intention and keep switching on the lights even when they don’t need to,” Hall said.

Sustainable design

The effects of the climate crisis on building design – and the drive to create more environmentally sustainable facilities – was among the key themes of this year’s congress. Over the four days, the more than 45 international speakers unanimously agreed that sports and leisure facilities must do much more than just be energy efficient. The topics discussed on stage ranged from sustainable public pools to future-proofing models for venues of all sizes. A common theme emerged: to successfully produce more sustainable buildings requires an “interplay between government, research, design and operation”.

Flexibility

Another theme that was explored in detail was the way future sports and leisure facilities will likely be required to perform dual (or even triple functions) to be both economically viable and sustainable. Facility operators – from local authorities to private owners – are increasingly looking for spaces that are capable of hosting multiple activities while also being able to respond to climate risks.

The multi-functionality and flexibility also extends beyond the ability to host different sports. Delegates learnt of examples where sports spaces which serve as playing courts in normal weather can store water in the event of heavy rainfall – and thus prevent damage to adjacent neighbourhoods. Examples of the approach were given from the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, where they have become a “cornerstone of urban resilience”.

Impact beyond sport

Commenting on the four-day event, Klaus Meinel, Secretary General of IAKS, said: “The IAKS Congress 2025 communicated a clear message: sports facilities are no longer add-ons, but integral to the central future strategy of modern local authorities. They must be climate-friendly, socially effective, economically viable and architecturally appealing – all at the same time.

“Whether net-zero strategies, the circular economy, ecological and social sustainability, integrated planning, inclusion, public value or social return: a common core emerged across all topics. Sports facilities are becoming locations that have an impact far beyond sport – as safe spaces, places of education and locations for social interaction. Those who design, build or operate them are helping to shape the future viability of municipalities and society.”