The International Congress on “Sport in Diplomacy and Business: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives” has been designed as an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience devoted to the role of sport as a tool of international relations, intercultural communication, and contemporary business strategies. The event will reflect on sport as an important element in shaping the policies of states, cities, and regions, as well as a dynamically developing sector of the economy. The Congress will bring together researchers, practitioners, public decision-makers, and representatives of the sport and business communities, creating a space for dialogue between theory and practice. Particular emphasis will be placed on international and comparative perspectives.

Thematic areas:
- sport as a tool of public diplomacy and soft power
- sport diplomacy of states, cities, and regions
- sport in foreign policy and national image-building
- sport in international relations and global governance
- sport, security, conflicts, and international cooperation
- history of sport
- shaping national security through physical education
- financing of sport
- comparative studies on sport–politics relations
- sport as an economic sector: business models and development strategies
- sponsorship, sport marketing, and brand communication
- sport, business, and sustainable development

- the role of public and private institutions in sport development
- sport, media, and new technologies
- sport and the promotion of physical activity in local and regional policies

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

Format
The Congress will be organized in a hybrid format. Sessions held on-site at the Marshal’s Office of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship (Toruń, Plac Teatralny 2) will be accompanied by presentations delivered remotely via online communication tools.

Registration
Participation requires submitting a completed registration form
(link: https://forms.gle/eFJc5GmtfrbLvtQq7).
Confirmation of participation issued by the organizers and payment of the conference fee are required: 800 PLN (190 EUR) – on-site participation; 300 PLN (70 EUR) – remote participation. Payment details will be provided in the acceptance message.

The conference fee includes:
- participation in sessions and accompanying events
- conference materials
- coffee breaks
- lunches during the conference
- participation in two gala dinners
- publication of an article in a scientific journal (subject to positive peer review)
The fee does not cover travel or accommodation costs (organizers can assist in finding lodging).

Important dates
Panel proposals: March 31, 2026
Paper proposals: May 10, 2026
Notification of acceptance: May 20, 2026
Conference fee payment:
– May 30, 2026 (discounted: 700 PLN / 165 EUR)
– June 15, 2026 (regular fee)

Preliminary program: July 31, 2026
Final program: August 10, 2026
Congress: August 26–28, 2026
Submission of papers for publication: September 30, 2026

Languages of the conference: English, Polish
Presentation time: 15 minutes

Publication opportunities
- Athenaeum. Polish Political Science Studies
- Nowa Polityka Wschodnia [eng. New Eastern Policy]
- Reality of Politics
- Sport and Policy Journal
- Book chapter in a monograph
Publication is subject to two positive reviews under a double-blind peer review procedure.

Oustanding Paper Contest
As part of the Congress, we are pleased to announce an Outstanding Paper Contest open to all scholars wishing to have their work considered for special recognition. Participants are invited to submit their full papers formatted according to APA guidelines by May 30 via the conference email (sportandpolicyjournal@gmail.com). All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review and they will be evaluated by members of the Scientific Council. Based on the reviewers’ evaluations and recommendations, awards will be granted to the highest-rated papers. Authors whose papers receive the Outstanding Paper Award will be exempt from paying the Congress registration fee.

Organizers
- Civitas University in Warsaw, Poland
- Fenerbahçe University in Istanbul, Türkiye
- the Editorial Board of Sport and Policy Journal
- Czesław Mojsiewicz Foundation for the Support of International Cooperation





Co-organizers
- Institute for Sport Governance
- Polish Institute of Sport Diplomacy
- Polish Society for International Studies – Toruń Branch
- Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw

Organizing Committee
- Michał Dahl (Beijing Sport University, China) – President
- Michał Banasiak (Polish Institute of Sport Diplomacy)
- Mateusz Boczyło (University of Warsaw, Poland)
- Grzegorz Botwina (University of Warsaw, Poland)
- Aïssatou Gnabaly Cissé (Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal)
- Jadwiga Kubica (Polish Institute of Sport Diplomacy, Poland)
- Liu Yuxun (The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)
- Ren Yushan (Beijing Sport University, China)

Scientific Council
- Richard Woodward (Technological University Dublin, Ireland) – President
- Mahfoud Amara (Qatar University, Qatar)
- Robert Gawłowski (Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw, Poland)
- Piotr Halemba (Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Poland)
- Mhammed Kezzoute (Mohammed First University, Marocco)
- Michał Kobierecki (University of Lodz, Poland)
- Michał Leciak (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland)
- Joanna Marszałek-Kawa (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland)
- Leandro Carlos Mazzei (State University of Campinas, Brazil)
- Henk Erik Meier (University of Münster, Germany)
- Carlos Pulleiro Méndez (Tongji University, China)
- Marcelo Moriconi (University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal)
- Esin Esra Erturan Öğüt (Fenerbahçe University, Türkiye)
- Sandra Radenović (University of Belgrade, Serbia)
- Tatiana R. Ryba (University of Jyväskylä, Finland)
- Michał Szostak (Civitas University, Poland)
- Wang Xiaoyun (Beijing Sport University, China)



Honorary Patronage*
- Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Poland
- Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland
- Ministry of Health of the Republic of Poland
- Polish Olympic Committee
- Marshal of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Piotr Całbecki
- Mayor of the City of Toruń, Paweł Gulewski
- President of Civitas University in Warsaw, Professor Stanisław Mocek
- Rector of Fenerbahçe University in Istanbul, Türkiye, Prof. Dr. Fatma Kanca
- Polish Anti-Doping Agency
- Polish Centre for Olympic Studies and Research
- Polish Society of Sports Law
- Foundation for the Development of Polish Sport
* To be updated.

Cooperation:
- Adam Marszałek Publishing
- “Be Active – Manager of the Future” Student Research Club (Academy of Physical Education in Katowice)
- “B2S – Business to Sport” Student Research Club (Faculty of Management, University of Warsaw)
- “Ius et Sport” Sports Law Student Research Club (Faculty of Management, University of Warsaw)
- “Lex Sportiva” Sports Law Student Research Club (Faculty of Law and Administration, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń)

Contact
For any questions or suggestions, please contact the organizers at: sportandpolicyjournal@gmail.com.