World Players Institute 2026: Where Research Takes the Field

02.11.2026

Trinity College Dublin | 27–28 October 2026

The World Players Institute (WPI) will host its inaugural conference, WPI 2026 – Where Research Takes the Field, on 27–28 October 2026 at Trinity College Dublin. Organised in partnership with Trinity College Dublin, the conference brings together sport scholars, player associations, and practitioners to explore how research can inform decision-making, practice, and policy development in sport.

As the sport industry expands—through longer seasons, growing revenues, global reach, and increasing stakeholder diversity—questions around decision-making, working conditions, and athlete wellbeing have become increasingly complex. WPI 2026 provides a dedicated academic space to examine these issues through rigorous, applied, and interdisciplinary research.

The conference focuses on research that is grounded in athletes’ lived experiences and professional environments. By fostering collaboration between researchers and player associations, WPI 2026 aims to bridge academic inquiry and real-world application, supporting evidence-informed approaches to organisational practice, negotiation processes, and policy development in sport.

WPI 2026 builds on existing research across areas such as sport economics, labour relations, health and safety, governance, and regulation. Rather than duplicating this work, the conference offers a platform to contextualise and translate evidence in ways that are relevant, accessible, and meaningful to those working within the sport ecosystem.

Who should attend

WPI 2026 welcomes participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including:

Researchers across sport science, law, sociology, health sciences, economics, and related disciplines
Player association staff, leaders, and representatives
Current and former professional or elite athletes
Graduate and undergraduate students
Sport policy makers and practitioners
Media and journalists covering sport
Representatives from sport governing bodies
Civil society organisations working in sport and athlete advocacy

Why attend

For researchers, WPI 2026 offers an opportunity to engage with applied research questions, connect with player associations, and explore pathways for research to inform practice and policy. The conference encourages interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration across academic and practitioner communities.

For player associations and practitioners, the conference provides access to current research that can support organisational learning, strategic planning, and evidence-informed decision-making within sport.

For students, WPI 2026 is a space to learn from established researchers and practitioners, present work in progress, and explore academic and professional pathways in sport research and governance.

For current and former athletes, the conference offers opportunities to contribute perspectives that inform research agendas and to engage with discussions focused on improving professional environments in sport.