Your essential guide to the UK’s biggest fitness trade expos, leadership conferences, and consumer crossover events.
🚀 Why These Events Matter
The UK fitness industry calendar is thriving. From flagship expos like Elevate and PerformX Live to networking forums, leadership summits, and consumer crossover festivals such as Arnold UK and FitXPO — these events set the tone for innovation, networking, and growth in the sector
🌟 Flagship Trade Shows
Elevate
📅 17–18 June 2026
📍 ExCeL London
The UK’s largest trade event for physical activity, fitness, sports performance, and physiotherapy.
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250+ suppliers
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200+ speakers
CPD-accredited sessions
PerformX Live
📅 25–26 February 2026
📍 NEC Birmingham
A high-energy summit for the business of fitness.
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6,000+ professionals
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Masterclasses & workshops
“Gym of the Future” showcase
🤝 Networking & Buyer–Supplier Forums
|
Event |
Date(s) |
Venue |
Focus |
|
active-net (Scotland edition) |
10–11 Sep 2025 (2026 TBC) |
Crieff Hydro, Scotland |
Buyer–supplier meetings + seminars |
|
PAF Forum |
25–26 Sep 2025 (2026 TBC) |
Warwickshire |
Facility design & ops networking |
|
Independent Gyms Conference |
30 Nov 2025 (2026 TBC) |
Solihull |
Independent gym operators forum |
💡 These forums are smaller but laser-focused, offering high-quality meetings with decision-makers.
🏛️ Sector Leadership & Policy
ukactive – Active Uprising
📅 6 March 2025 (2026 TBC)
📍 QEII Centre, London
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Annual leadership conference
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Strategic focus on policy & future of fitness
Why Sports 2026
📅 12 March 2026
📍 One Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London
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Celebrates 10 years of UK health & fitness initiatives
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Policymakers + sector leaders shaping the future
🎉 Consumer Crossover Events
|
Event |
Date(s) |
Venue |
Overview |
|
Arnold Sports Festival UK |
2026 TBC |
Birmingham (NEC) |
Combines bodybuilding, CrossFit-style comps, powerlifting & expo |
|
FitXPO Manchester |
2026 TBC |
Manchester Central |
Consumer-driven expo with seminars, fitness showcases & brands |
✨ These are more enthusiast-focused but offer gyms, PTs, and brands direct consumer visibility.
📊 At-a-Glance Summary
|
Event |
Date(s) |
Venue |
Type |
|
Elevate |
17–18 Jun 2026 |
ExCeL London |
Trade expo + CPD |
|
PerformX Live |
25–26 Feb 2026 |
NEC Birmingham |
Business summit + expo |
|
active-net (Scotland) |
10–11 Sep 2025 (TBC) |
Crieff Hydro |
Networking forum |
|
PAF Forum |
25–26 Sep 2025 (TBC) |
Warwickshire |
Facility ops networking |
|
Independent Gyms Conf. |
30 Nov 2025 (TBC) |
Solihull |
Independent gym focus |
|
ukactive Active Uprising |
6 Mar 2025 (TBC) |
London |
Leadership & policy |
|
Why Sports 2026 |
12 Mar 2026 |
Westminster |
Policy conference |
|
Arnold UK |
2026 TBC |
Birmingham |
Consumer crossover |
|
FitXPO Manchester |
2026 TBC |
Manchester |
Consumer crossover |
✅ Final Thoughts
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Must-attend trade shows: Elevate & PerformX Live
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Targeted networking: active-net, PAF Forum, Independent Gyms
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Leadership & strategy: ukactive Active Uprising & Why Sports
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Consumer crossover: Arnold UK & FitXPO
Whether you’re an operator, supplier, or fitness professional, these events provide the best opportunities to learn, network, and showcase innovation in 2026.
