The event will be held from October 21 to 23 at the International Exhibition and Business Center “Siberia” This is not just a conference — it is a full‑fledged international platform where Russian officials, Olympic champions, heads of federations and business giants will meet with guests from dozens of countries to discuss the future of domestic and global sports.
The forum has already become a tradition: over 15 years, it has brought together more than 60,000 participants and has become one of the key events initiated by a decree of the President of the Russian Federation. In 2025, more than 5,000 people from 58 countries took part in Samara. This year, even more participants are expected — over 4,000 delegates from more than 100 countries and territories. Krasnoyarsk was not chosen by chance: the city, with its rich sports history, the legacy of the 2019 Universiade, and the status of a “city of labour valor,” is ideally suited for showcasing Russia’s sports achievements and infrastructure projects.
Which countries will be attending the “Russia — a Sporting Power” forum in 2026?
The international format of the forum has already proven its effectiveness. Last time, sports ministers from 15 countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Malaysia, Venezuela, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and others, confirmed their participation. The total number of foreign delegations exceeded 27. This time, even greater interest is expected from countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
The countries of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) are particularly active — 35 states. At last year’s forum in Samara, the first meeting of sports ministers from the DSA countries was held, where a working group on sports development was established. In 2026, this agenda is expected to expand: delegates from India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries will confirm their participation at a high level — from ministers to heads of Olympic committees and sports federations.
In addition to the DSA, there are already preliminary confirmations from representatives of Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar and others. Guests from the SCO countries, the Eurasian Economic Union, and Europe are also expected. The overall list of potential participants already includes more than 70 countries. Krasnoyarsk will become their first major Russian hub in October: convenient transport, modern infrastructure, and a warm Siberian welcome.
What issues will be discussed at the “Russia — a Sporting Power” forum in Krasnoyarsk?
The business program is built around four key tracks, corresponding to the main slogan of 2026 — “Sport for the Future: Winning Together.”
1. International cooperation is the main topic. Discussion of strategies for the return of Russian athletes to international arenas, the fight against doping, the inadmissibility of political pressure in sports and the creation of new formats of interaction. The meeting line of the Ministers of Sports of the DSA and SCO countries will be continued.
2. The development of youth sports — from the mass TRP to the system of reserve teams. Discussions are planned on the unified school sports league, the Zemsky Trainer initiative, licensing of private sports organizations and the integration of sports into the school curriculum.
3. Infrastructure and innovative technologies — construction and modernization of sports facilities (Russia already has more than 170,000 such facilities), the introduction of artificial intelligence, VR/AR simulators, digital analytics, and esports. A special session on “sport without borders” and new horizons of interaction.
4. Mass sports and inclusivity — the fight against doping, the development of adaptive sports, the inclusion of people with disabilities and veterans of the special military operation. Real projects will be showcased: from the “Hero League” to tripartite agreements between businesses, federations, and NGOs.
In addition, there will be a youth day, Siberian Sports Week, tournaments in freestyle wrestling, sambo, judo, basketball, phygital sports, and other disciplines. In parallel, exhibitions, master classes with Olympic champions, and an open lesson on phygital sports will be held.
What cooperation agreements can be signed at the forum?
Experience from previous years shows that the “Russia — a Sporting Power” forum is one of the most active platforms for concluding contracts. In Samara in 2025, more than 100 agreements were signed! Among them are strategic partnerships with federations (luge, dance sport, table tennis, padel, triathlon), agreements on infrastructure development, inclusive sports, and even trilateral documents involving businesses (Sportloto, Fonbet, Dynamo).
At the forum in Krasnoyarsk, no fewer contracts are expected. Possible areas:
- Agreements on infrastructure development — from the construction of new sports complexes in Siberia to joint projects with foreign partners (for example, with China on Kamchatka or with India on infrastructure).
- Partnerships with federations — expanding the event calendar, joint tournaments, pilot projects for new sports (such as mountain sledding last year).
- Agreements with businesses — sponsorship, advertising, equipment for sports halls, development of technological solutions.
- International documents — continuation of DSA meetings: agreements on joint competitions, technology exchange.
