Play the Game 2025

Driving dialogue for democracy in sport

5-8 October in Tampere, Finland

While democratic dialogue faces growing pressure – in society as well as in international sport – Play the Game remains committed to being a space where voices meet, power is held to account, and difficult conversations are staged in an honest, open, and respectful environment.

In a time of growing polarisation, we aim to keep the democratic conversation in sport alive. That’s the ambition behind this year’s title – to reaffirm dialogue as a force for accountability, understanding, and change.

Play the Game 2025 is the 14th time Play the Game brings together journalists, researchers, athletes, whistleblowers, and decision-makers in sport from across the world to confront the issues that matter – with openness, respect, and critical thinking.

Download the programme

You can now download the full conference programme as well as the overview programme for the conference.

At the conference, you will be able to access a mobile friendly version of the conference programme through our website. If you prefer a paper copy, we encourage you to print it from home.

If you have any questions for the programme please contact head of Play the Game, Stanis Elsborg, at stanis@playthegame.org.

Sign up for the conference now

A record number of participants have already signed up for the conference, but there are still a few spaces left.

Conference information

Play the Game 2025 will take place on 5-8 October 2025 and will be held in partnership with the City of Tampere. Tampere is one of the most active cities in hosting sports events in Northern Europe and works internationally to strengthen the legacy of the big public investments in events.

The conference will be co-hosted by the Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (FINCIS), one of a growing number of national bodies with multiple tasks in sports integrity. Among other things, FINCIS is responsible for investigating serious ethical violations and presenting disciplinary provisions in centralised disciplinary procedures.

The conference venue is the Tampere Hall, a versatile culture and congress centre located in central Tampere.

Questions and contact

For questions regarding the programme contact Stanis Elsborg, head of Play the Game, at stanis@playthegame.org or phone +45 6177 4915.

For practical questions contact Maria Suurballe, conference manager, at maria@playthegame.org or phone +45 2020 6838.