Research has the power to shape collective bargaining, improve athlete health and safety, and influence decision-making across sport. This October, World Players Institute 2026 will bring together researchers, player associations and industry experts to turn evidence into action.
World Players Institute (WPI) 2026 will bring together researchers, player associations and practitioners on 27–28 October at Trinity College Dublin to explore how research can strengthen athlete representation and inform decision-making across sport. Researchers interested in contributing to these conversations are encouraged to register and join the conference.
Under the theme "Where research takes the field: Informing decision making, bargaining, and practice in sport," this year's conference explores how high-quality research can support collective bargaining, improve working conditions, and contribute to more equitable outcomes for athletes around the world.
As professional sport continues to expand, with longer seasons, growing commercial revenues and an increasingly global reach, athletes remain underrepresented in many of the decisions that affect their careers. Addressing this imbalance requires strong player representation and reliable evidence that can inform negotiations, policy development and industry practice.
WPI 2026 is designed to bridge the gap between research and practice by creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration between academics and player associations.
The programme will centre on three core themes that reflect some of the most pressing challenges facing athletes today:
- Labour Rights in Sport, including collective bargaining, freedom of association, working conditions, gender equity and career progression.
- Health & Safety, covering topics such as brain health, mental health and wellbeing, workload management, injury prevention, medical independence, women's health, and the impact of climate change.
- The Economics of Sport, exploring revenue distribution, salary structures, competitive balance, economic exploitation and gender pay gaps.
Register to join researchers, practitioners and player associations from around the world in Dublin this October and contribute to conversations that can strengthen athlete representation through evidence.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Every Second Media
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