HFA European Congress 2026 24–26 September 2026 London Stadium, Olympic Park 23rd Edition

HFA European Congress 2026
Global Fitness Leadership Comes to London

The Health & Fitness Association's annual European flagship — bringing global fitness executives together at the London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The world's most senior fitness industry gathering outside North America.

75%Executive-level
2 DaysProgramme
23rdEdition
GlobalAudience
HFA European Congress 2026 — Organiser Statement
Where the World's Fitness Leaders Meet in Europe
With nearly 75% of attendees at the executive level, the HFA European Congress serves as a premier gathering where top leaders can share ideas, learn from experts, and build meaningful connections. The 23rd Congress returns to London for the first time since 2017 — recognising London as one of the world's most dynamic and innovative fitness markets, and an ideal host for a genuinely international executive programme.
Event Overview
Dates
24–26 September 2026
Location
London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London
Organiser
Health & Fitness Association (HFA)
Programme Days
24–25 September
Club Tours
26 September (exclusive)

The HFA European Congress is the international counterpart to the HFA Show in San Diego — and the most senior executive gathering in the European fitness calendar. Unlike FIBO or EHFF, which mix multiple audience levels, the European Congress is deliberately curated for C-suite and executive-level professionals: CEOs, founders, investors, and senior operators from across the global fitness industry.

The 2026 Congress is held at the London Stadium — the iconic venue originally built for the 2012 Olympic Games, now home to West Ham United and UK Athletics. The location signals ambition: this is a fitness industry event that situates itself within the heritage of Olympic sport and positions the sector as part of the broader global movement for physical excellence. The venue also gives delegates access to the wider Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park ecosystem — one of the world's most significant active lifestyle developments.

The programme runs 24–25 September, with the third day (26 September) reserved for exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of London's most innovative fitness and wellness concepts — giving delegates direct exposure to the most forward-thinking operators in Europe's largest fitness market. This club tour format has become a signature element of the European Congress and is typically the most valued component for operators looking to benchmark their businesses against best-in-class examples.

Programme Format
Executive Programme — Day 1
24 September · Keynotes, strategic sessions, and structured peer-to-peer discussion for fitness industry leadership
Executive Programme — Day 2
25 September · Deep-dive workshops, panel discussions, and networking designed for the C-suite audience
London Fitness Club Tours
26 September · Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to London's most innovative fitness and wellness operations
Networking & Relationship Building
Structured networking across all three days · Evening events at Olympic Park venues
Key Themes — HFA European Congress 2026
AI & Technology Strategy
C-suite perspectives on AI adoption — from member engagement tools to operational transformation and competitive differentiation
International Expansion
European market entry strategies, franchise models, and the operational challenges of scaling fitness brands across borders
Longevity & Premium Health
Executive-level debate on longevity programming, premium health membership models, and the convergence of fitness and healthcare
Member Experience & Retention
Building loyalty through community, personalisation, and belonging — reducing churn as a strategic priority
European Market Intelligence
Benchmarking performance, understanding consumer behaviour shifts, and identifying the highest-growth opportunities in European fitness
London as Innovation Hub
London's fitness ecosystem — from boutique studios to digital-physical hybrid operators — as a living laboratory for the future of fitness

Why This Event Matters for Fitness & Wellbeing Operators