TurfTech 2026

TurfTech 2026 brings the global sports turf industry to Brighton

The American Express Stadium recently welcomed TurfTech 2026, bringing the sports turf industry together in Brighton for two days of insight, innovation, exhibitions, demonstrations and networking.

Held on 1st and 2nd October 2026, the international industry event brought turf professionals and technology specialists to the home of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. TurfTech describes the summit as the meeting point between professional turf management and technological innovation. 

For the team at the American Express Stadium, the event was also an opportunity to demonstrate how a major sporting venue can be transformed into a large-scale conference, exhibition and events venue in Brighton.

Transforming a Brighton stadium into a conference and exhibition venue.

Across two days, different spaces throughout the stadium were brought together to create an engaging journey for delegates, including conference sessions, exhibitions, demonstrations and opportunities to network.

The programme explored subjects spanning pitch management, turf science, emerging technology, robotics and data, reflecting TurfTech's focus on bringing professional turf expertise together with technological innovation. 

Using multiple spaces within a stadium environment allowed the event to move beyond a traditional conference format, creating distinct areas for learning, conversations and industry connections.

It allowed us to demonstrate the versatility of the American Express Stadium for organisers searching for a conference venue in Brighton capable of accommodating different elements of an event under one roof.

More than 400 sports turf professionals, representatives from 100+ professional clubs and delegates from over 20 countries attended TurfTech 2026, creating an international meeting point for the industry.  The scale of the event meant we needed to suport a varied programme while providing a seamless experience as delegates moved between sessions, exhibition activity, demonstrations and networking.

Conferences, exhibitions and networking in one Brighton venue

One of the advantages of hosting a large industry event at a stadium is the ability to create different experiences throughout the day.  For TurfTech 2026, the programme featured 21 sessions across two rooms, while other areas of the stadium supported exhibition activity, demonstrations and networking.

This flexibility can be particularly valuable for organisers planning:

• Large conferences in Brighton
• Corporate events and business meetings
• Exhibitions and trade events
• Industry summits
• Networking events
• Product showcases and demonstrations
• Conference dinners and evening events

Rather than treating each part of an event in isolation, the stadium's event spaces can be used to create a broader delegate experience.

An event dinner for 430 guests

The experience continued beyond the daytime conference programme, with the team hosting an event dinner for 430 guests. Food and hospitality formed an important part of the experience, with personalised touches including specially branded desserts and treats created for the occasion.

Feedback from the client and delegates was extremely positive, with the venue, food and overall event experience all receiving fantastic comments.

For organisers considering a multi-day conference or exhibition, being able to incorporate daytime activity, networking, hospitality and evening dining into the wider event experience can help create a more memorable occasion for delegates.

Why choose the American Express Stadium for a conference or large event in Brighton?

TurfTech 2026 showcased what is possible when a stadium is used beyond matchdays.  Located in Falmer, Brighton, the American Express Stadium provides organisers with a distinctive sporting setting in which to bring conferences, exhibitions, dinners and other event elements together. 

For organisers looking beyond a traditional hotel or conference centre, a stadium setting can also provide a memorable sense of place and give delegates an experience that feels different from the everyday.

The successful delivery of TurfTech 2026 demonstrated how the combination of flexible event spaces, food and hospitality, and an experienced events team can bring a complex, large-scale industry event to life.

Planning a conference, exhibition or large-scale event in Brighton?

Whether you're bringing together hundreds of delegates for an industry conference, creating an exhibition and networking event, or looking for a distinctive setting for your next corporate event in Brighton, the American Express Stadium offers the flexibility to create an event around your objectives.

Explore the American Express Stadium and discover what your next conference, exhibition or large-scale event in Brighton could look like.

Frequently asked questions

Can the American Express Stadium host conferences in Brighton?

Yes. The American Express Stadium has been used for large-scale conferences and industry events, including TurfTech Summit 2026, which combined conference content, exhibitions, demonstrations and networking across a two-day programme. 

Is the American Express Stadium suitable for exhibitions?

Yes it can. TurfTech Summit 2026 combined conference content with exhibition and demonstration activity, providing an example of how different event formats can be brought together at the stadium. 

Where is the American Express Stadium?

The American Express Stadium is located on Village Way in Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9BL. 

Can you hold a conference dinner at the American Express Stadium?

Yes. As part of TurfTech 2026, the events team hosted a dinner for 430 guests, demonstrating how an evening award or dinner element can be incorporated into a larger conference programme.

What types of corporate events can be held at the American Express Stadium?

The stadium's flexible event setting makes it relevant for conferences, exhibitions, industry summits, networking events, demonstrations, corporate dinners and other large-scale business events. TurfTech 2026 combined several of these formats within a single two-day event. 

What made TurfTech 2026 at the American Express Stadium different?

The event brought together conference sessions, exhibitions, demonstrations, networking and evening hospitality within a stadium environment, allowing delegates to experience different parts of the venue throughout the programme.