Industry leaders and professional bettors to gather at Smart Bash 2026 in London

Smart Bash 2026 will take place at Chelsea FC in London, with its official closing networking event hosted at Fulham FC’s Waters Edge venue and supported by Pragmatic Play Sports.

As the sports betting industry prepares for Smart Bash 2026, organisers have confirmed additional details for the event’s closing programme, including the official networking venue and sponsor.

The two-day event will be held on Wednesday, May 27th and Thursday, May 28th at Chelsea Football Club, London, England, where attendees will participate in workshops, seminars, and panel discussions across both days.

Following the main programme at Chelsea FC, the official networking event will take place at Waters Edge, Fulham Pier (Fulham FC) on the evening of Thursday, May 28th. The riverside venue will host attendees for a closing session designed to extend conversations and facilitate further connections in a more informal setting.

Official networking sponsor announced

In parallel, Pragmatic Play Sports has been confirmed as the Official Networking Sponsor for Smart Bash 2026. The company provides sports betting products and services to operators globally, supporting sportsbook operations with scalable and performance-focused solutions.

As part of its involvement, the provider will also be represented within the conference programme. Gareth Crook, SVP of Sports at Pragmatic Play, is set to participate as a speaker on the World Cup Trading Room panel, which will explore trading environments and market dynamics.

A two-venue format across London clubs

Smart Bash 2026 will adopt a two-venue format across London, with the core event hosted at Chelsea FC and the closing networking event taking place at Fulham FC. This structure reflects the event’s focus on combining structured content sessions with dedicated spaces for industry interaction, organisers said.

The programme begins on Wednesday, May 27th, with an education and workshop session, followed by a full conference day on Thursday, May 28th. Across both days at Chelsea FC, attendees will have access to sessions covering betting strategy, market developments, regulatory considerations, and trading insights.

Cross-industry participation and practical insight

"One of the defining aspects of Smart Bash is the diversity of its audience," according to its organisers. "By bringing together stakeholders from different parts of the ecosystem, the event creates opportunities to explore viewpoints that are not always shared within the same setting."

This includes discussions around:

• Market behaviour and emerging trends

• Product and trading strategies

• Regulatory developments and operational challenges

“In a fast-evolving industry, staying informed isn’t optional. It’s essential,” said Alex Crockford. “Smart Bash brings together a unique mix of operators, suppliers, analysts, and informed bettors for a focused, insight-driven event designed to support better decision-making throughout the sector.”

Networking as a central component

Alongside its educational programme, Smart Bash continues to emphasise the importance of in-person networking. Dedicated social events across both evenings will allow attendees to engage beyond formal sessions, supporting relationship building and open discussion.

The closing event at Waters Edge, Fulham FC, is expected to provide a setting for continued dialogue among participants, bringing together professionals from across different areas of the betting ecosystem.

"As the industry continues to evolve, events that combine practical insight with meaningful networking opportunities remain a key part of the calendar for operators and stakeholders alike," organisers concluded.

Industry professionals, operators, and bettors interested in attending Smart Bash 2026 can purchase tickets by visiting smart-bash.com. 

If you have any questions or concerns, contact [email protected].