Sunset Sports Festival 2027 – Croatia

What to expect in 2027

Sunset Sports Festival 2027 is scheduled to take place from June 10 to 12, 2027, in Zadar, Croatia. The event brings together sports, media, technology, entertainment and business in a three-day festival designed around conversations, networking, presentations, professional insight and informal experiences on the Adriatic coast. The official festival website has already confirmed the 2027 dates and location.

Unlike a conventional sporting tournament, Sunset Sports Festival is primarily a sports-business and media event. Its programme combines keynote presentations, expert panels, interviews, networking opportunities and specialist sessions rather than a traditional schedule of competitive matches. Previous editions have brought together representatives and personalities connected with organisations including the NBA, NFL, FIBA, DAZN and CBS Sports.

The 2027 programme is expected to continue the festival’s focus on the changing sports industry, including sports media, broadcasting, technology, business, esports, athlete development, investment, marketing and fan engagement. The precise speakers, session subjects and stage schedule for 2027 have not yet been fully announced.

The festival has developed a distinctive format in which professional content is combined with social and hospitality experiences. Previous editions have featured opening events, boat parties, sunset gatherings and beach activities alongside the main conference programme. The official festival describes the event as a place where sports professionals can exchange ideas and build connections beyond conventional conference settings.

Match/event dates

The confirmed dates for Sunset Sports Festival 2027 are June 10–12, 2027, in Zadar, Croatia.

The three-day event is expected to follow the established festival format, with conference and professional activities concentrated across the main festival days. In the 2026 edition, the official programme included an opening night on Thursday followed by the main programme on Friday and Saturday. The 2027 timetable may follow a similar structure, but the exact daily schedule should be checked once the organiser publishes the 2027 programme.

The event is not organised around football, basketball or another single sporting competition, so there is no traditional fixture list. Instead, visitors follow a programme of talks, panels, specialist sessions, networking activities and associated events.

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Stadium & sports venue

The principal venue used by Sunset Sports Festival is Fortis Club at Falkensteiner Resort Punta Skala, near Zadar. The festival’s official information identifies Fortis Club and Punta Skala as its setting, while previous editions have used the location for conference, sports and entertainment programming.

Fortis Club is different from a conventional stadium. It functions as a modern congress, sports and entertainment centre, providing an indoor environment suitable for presentations, panels and professional gatherings. The surrounding resort and Adriatic setting also allow the festival to extend beyond the main conference rooms.

Some special activities can take place elsewhere. Previous editions have used locations in central Zadar for opening events and other festival experiences, while the boat party takes participants onto the Adriatic. The exact locations for the 2027 programme should be confirmed by the organiser when the full schedule is released.

Full fixture or event schedule

There is no traditional match fixture for Sunset Sports Festival 2027. Instead, the programme will consist of conference sessions, panels, presentations, networking opportunities and additional festival experiences.

The official schedule page currently indicates that the upcoming programme will be announced, while previous programmes from 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 are available for reference.

Based on the most recently published 2026 programme, visitors can expect several content areas rather than one continuous stage. The 2026 festival included a Main Stage, Esports Stage and Performance & Health Lab.

A typical festival structure may include:

• Opening and welcome sessions
• Main-stage keynote presentations
• Sports-business panels
• Media and broadcasting discussions
• Esports and gaming sessions
• Performance and sports-science content
• Networking breaks
• Lunch and hospitality periods
• Evening social events
• Closing beach activities

The exact 2027 session titles, speakers and times have not yet been announced.

Teams, athletes & participants

Sunset Sports Festival does not have competing teams in the usual tournament sense. Its participants are speakers, athletes, coaches, executives, media professionals, entrepreneurs, technology specialists and other figures connected with the sports industry.

Previous editions have featured internationally recognised names including Alessandro Del Piero, Peter Schmeichel, Bill Belichick, Ray Lewis, Julian Edelman and Stipe Miočić.

The 2026 edition also featured personalities such as chess champion Judit Polgár, along with professionals from sports organisations, media companies, technology and business. The programme covered subjects ranging from sports economics and governance to European basketball and volleyball.

The 2027 participant list has not yet been published. Visitors should therefore avoid treating previous speakers as confirmed 2027 participants unless they are subsequently announced by the festival.

Tournament format & competition structure

Sunset Sports Festival does not use a tournament format, knockout system or league table. The event is structured as a professional sports-industry festival.

The central format is based on knowledge exchange and discussion. Sessions can involve keynote speakers, moderated panels, interviews, presentations and specialist discussions. The emphasis is on subjects affecting the future of sports and entertainment rather than determining a sporting winner.

The festival has increasingly incorporated specialist areas. In 2026, the programme was divided among the Main Stage, Esports Stage and Performance & Health Lab, allowing attendees to follow different areas of interest.

Match/event times

The exact 2027 session times have not yet been released. Visitors should check the official programme closer to the event before planning individual sessions.

The 2026 programme provides an indication of how detailed the timetable can become. On Friday, the Main Stage began with an opening session at 10:00, followed by presentations and panels, with a lunch break beginning at 13:00.

Individual sessions can be relatively short, making it possible to attend several discussions during a day. Because multiple stages may operate at the same time, attendees should review the final programme and prioritise sessions before arriving.

Ticket types

The 2027 ticket categories and prices have not yet been officially published. The latest published 2026 ticket structure provides a useful indication of the options that may be offered.

In 2026, the festival offered two main ticket categories:

• Regular Ticket
• Experience Ticket

The 2026 Regular Ticket was listed at €260 plus VAT, equivalent to approximately $296 plus VAT at an exchange rate of €1 = $1.14. It included two-day access to conference lectures, coffee breaks and the closing beach party.

The 2026 Experience Ticket was listed at €540 plus VAT, equivalent to approximately $616 plus VAT. It included access to the conference programme, lunch on both main days, the opening cocktail party, coffee breaks, boat party and closing beach party. Accommodation was not included.

These are reference prices from 2026, not confirmed 2027 prices.

Ticket release phases

The organiser has historically released tickets in stages. In 2025–2026, ticket sales included early-bird, regular and last-minute periods, with prices increasing between phases. The published 2026 ticket page listed early-bird, regular and last-minute general-admission and experience prices.

For reference, the published 2026 phases were approximately:

• Early Bird: $342 plus VAT for General Admission and $479 plus VAT for Experience
• Regular: $456 plus VAT for General Admission and $616 plus VAT for Experience
• Last Minute: $570 plus VAT for General Admission and $730 plus VAT for Experience

These figures are converted from the organiser’s published euro prices and are provided only as a guide to the previous ticketing structure. The 2027 release dates and prices should be confirmed through the official ticket page.

VIP & hospitality options

The Experience Ticket has traditionally provided the closest equivalent to a premium festival package. In 2026, it included the main conference programme, coffee breaks, lunch on Friday and Saturday, the opening cocktail party, boat party and closing beach party.

The package did not include accommodation, and food and drinks consumed on the boat were not included in the earlier published Experience structure.

For 2027, any dedicated VIP, executive hospitality, partner or premium packages should be confirmed after the organiser publishes the new ticket information.

The festival’s overall format is particularly suited to professional networking because attendees can combine conference sessions with informal social activities. Previous editions have deliberately included experiences away from the main stage, including boat events and sunset gatherings.

Stadium & event rules

Visitors should follow the organiser’s published ticket conditions and instructions at the time of purchase. Ticket fees have previously been stated as non-refundable, although the organiser indicated that payments would be refunded if the festival were cancelled by the organiser.

Festival policies can change from one edition to another, so attendees should check the final terms before travelling.

The event may involve photography, video recording and other media production. The organiser’s privacy policy explains that photographs and recordings may be made during lectures and festival activities as part of event documentation and related purposes.

Attendees should also respect venue security procedures, access restrictions, identification requirements and instructions issued by staff at individual activities.

How to get there

Zadar is located on Croatia’s Adriatic coast and is the main destination for visitors attending the festival. Fortis Club at Punta Skala is outside the historic centre of Zadar, so attendees should allow additional travel time between the city and the resort.

The nearest major aviation option is Zadar Airport, which serves the region with seasonal and international connections. From the airport, visitors can continue toward Zadar and Punta Skala by taxi, private transfer or rental car.

Visitors arriving from other Croatian cities can travel by road or bus to Zadar before continuing to the resort area. Those coming from international destinations should compare direct seasonal flights with connections through larger Croatian or European airports.

Public transport & parking

Public transport options are centred on reaching Zadar first, followed by onward travel toward Punta Skala. Depending on the final festival arrangements, shuttle or transfer information may be provided by the organiser or accommodation partners closer to the event.

For visitors renting a car, driving can be convenient because Punta Skala is located outside central Zadar. Parking arrangements should be confirmed with the venue or resort before arrival, particularly during the busy June period.

Because the festival can involve activities at different locations, visitors should check the official daily programme for any transport information associated with opening events, boat activities or other off-site sessions.

Accommodation areas

The main accommodation area for festival visitors is Punta Skala and the surrounding Zadar region. The festival’s accommodation page states that accommodation arrangements are handled through its partner MeetMe agency, which provides information and reservations for festival attendees.

Staying at or close to Falkensteiner Resort Punta Skala can reduce daily travel and make it easier to attend early sessions and evening activities.

Zadar city centre is another practical option for visitors who want access to restaurants, historic attractions and the city’s waterfront. However, staying in central Zadar means arranging transportation to Punta Skala each day.

Other accommodation can be found around Petrčane, Zaton and the wider Zadar area, providing alternatives for visitors who prefer apartments, hotels or holiday properties.

Food & drink at the venue

Food and refreshments are an important part of the festival experience. The Regular Ticket has historically included coffee breaks, while the Experience Ticket has included lunch on the main conference days.

The Experience package has also included access to social events such as the opening cocktail party and boat party, although specific food and drink inclusions can vary by activity and edition.

The Punta Skala setting provides access to resort dining facilities, while Zadar and nearby coastal communities offer Croatian, Mediterranean and international restaurants.

Visitors with dietary requirements should check with the organiser or venue before attending, especially if they are purchasing a package that includes meals.

Accessibility

Accessibility arrangements for 2027 have not yet been comprehensively published. Visitors who require step-free access, accessible seating, mobility assistance or specific dietary support should contact the organiser or venue before travelling.

Fortis Club is a modern congress and sports venue, which makes it suitable for professional events, but individual accessibility conditions can vary between conference rooms, resort areas, outdoor activities and boat events.

Visitors should also consider that some festival experiences take place away from the main indoor venue. Boat parties, outdoor gatherings and beach activities may have different accessibility conditions, so advance confirmation is recommended.

Best matches/events to attend

Because Sunset Sports Festival is not a competitive tournament, the best events to attend depend on your professional interests rather than a particular sporting fixture.

The Main Stage is likely to be particularly relevant for visitors interested in the wider sports industry, including business strategy, media, broadcasting, investment, athlete development and sports organisations.

The Esports Stage is suited to attendees following gaming, esports, digital entertainment and emerging sports-business models. The 2026 festival introduced dedicated esports programming as part of its broader format.

The Performance & Health Lab is relevant to visitors interested in athlete performance, sports science, health and physical preparation.

The opening and evening events can also be valuable for networking because the festival deliberately combines professional content with informal experiences.

Previous year’s highlights

The 2026 edition continued the festival’s development as an international sports-business gathering. The programme included three specialist areas: the Main Stage, Esports Stage and Performance & Health Lab.

Among the announced 2026 participants was Alessandro Del Piero, while chess champion Judit Polgár was also highlighted as a major participant. Discussions covered the business of sport, sports economics, governance, European basketball, volleyball and the development of esports.

The festival also continued its connection with international sports media. CBS Sports has been among the organisations represented at previous editions, while the 2026 opening included an event at the St. Nicholas complex in Zadar connected with Sofascore’s Player of the Season awards.

The 2025 edition featured Stipe Miočić and other international and Croatian sports personalities, while the programme expanded into esports and additional specialist content.

The festival’s history goes back to 2022, when it began bringing sports executives, media professionals and innovators together in Zadar. Its galleries document editions from 2022 through 2026.

Official tickets

Tickets for Sunset Sports Festival 2027 should be purchased through the organiser’s official website. The festival has already confirmed June 10–12, 2027, in Zadar, Croatia, but the detailed 2027 ticket categories and prices are not yet fully published.

The latest official ticket information can be accessed through the festival’s ticket page:

Sunset Sports Festival Official Tickets (https://sunsetsportsfestival.com/)

Visitors should use the official festival website for the final 2027 ticket release dates, prices, programme announcements, participant confirmations and event instructions.