2026 is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic sporting years of the decade. From the Australian Open and Winter Olympics to the AFC Women’s Asia Cup, AFL Season Launch, and the Australian Grand Prix, these events will spark public attention and fuel conversations about resilience, leadership, high performance and culture.

With the spotlight firmly on sport throughout the year, it’s the perfect time to leverage this momentum for your conferences, offsites and team events. Saxton represents some of Australia’s most influential athletes and sporting leaders — people who’ve lived pressure, made split-second decisions, built winning cultures and delivered when it matters most.

For further inspiration, explore:
Sports Speakers | Olympians & Paralympians | Motorsport | Travelling Speakers

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

19 January – 1 February 2026

The Australian Open kickstarts the global sporting year in Melbourne. With international tennis icons in town, it's the ideal moment to explore themes of mental toughness, sustained excellence and elite preparation.

Suggested Speakers:

• Dylan Alcott - Golden Slam winner, Paralympic champion & disability advocate redefining what’s possible.

• Andre Agassi - Global Tennis icon known for resilience, reinvention and elite performance.

• Martina Navratilova - One of the greatest tennis players of all time and a pioneer in high-performance mindset.

WINTER OLYMPICS

6 – 22 February 2026

The Winter Olympics showcases resilience, adaptability and high-stakes performance. For organisations navigating change or aiming to build stronger cultures, winter sport athletes bring relatable and powerful lessons.

Suggested Speakers:

• Jacqui Cooper - Five-time Winter Olympian and one of Australia’s most enduring sporting figures.

• Alisa Camplin Warner - Olympic gold medallist & 2026 Chef de Mission known for leadership and performance excellence.

• Steven Bradbury - First Australian Winter Olympic gold medallist with a legendary story of preparation meeting opportunity.

Explore more Olympians & Paralympians

AFC WOMEN'S ASIA CUP

1 – 21 March 2026 (Australia)

Football returns to home soil as Australia hosts the continent’s premier women’s tournament. With the Matildas continuing to inspire the nation, this moment offers strong opportunities to bring football leaders into your events to speak on teamwork, culture building and performing with purpose.

Suggested Speakers:

• Sarah Walsh — Former Matilda & COO for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026; a leading strategist in advancing women’s football

• Lydia Williams — Iconic Matildas goalkeeper and advocate for resilience and empowerment

• Michelle Heyman — Prolific Matildas goalscorer and inspiring voice on longevity, mindset and high performance

Explore more Speakers in the Sports category

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

5 – 8 March 2026 (Melbourne)

F1’s return to Melbourne electrifies the city with innovation, precision and high-stakes strategy. Motorsport Speakers bring unique insights into rapid decision-making, team dynamics and performing under relentless scrutiny — themes that resonate strongly with business audiences.

Suggested Speakers:

• Guenther Steiner — Global motorsport leader known for straight-talking insights into team culture and performance

• Daniel Ricciardo — Beloved Australian F1 driver known for resilience, optimism and performing under pressure

• Molly Taylor — Australia’s leading rally driver and champion of resilience in extreme environments

See more in the Motorsport Speakers category

AFL SEASON LAUNCH

March 2026

As Australia’s biggest sporting code kicks off another season, AFL talent remains in high demand for corporate events. With rich insights into leadership, culture and personal resilience, AFL identities bring authenticity and impact to a wide range of audiences.

Suggested Speakers:

• Luke Darcy — Leadership thinker and respected AFL broadcaster and former captain

• Tom Boyd — Premiership hero sharing powerful lessons on mental health and performance

• Erin Phillips — AFLW icon recognised for excellence, grit and cultural leadership

Explore more AFL & AFLW Talent

Plan Your 2026 Events Now

With major sporting events creating high engagement throughout the year, now is the perfect moment to align your conferences and offsites with the power of sport.

Saxton can help you find the right Speaker to elevate your event — from Olympians and world champions to coaches, commentators and high-performance experts.

Contact Saxton to discuss tailored recommendations for your 2026 event program.