CONNECTIONS FOR PROSPERITY: Beyond the Sport

The West Midlands is a region built on resilience, creativity, and ambition.

From the industrial heartlands that powered a nation to the cultural energy of our cities, this is a place that knows how to reinvent itself. Now, sport is emerging as one of our most powerful engines for renewal—driving investment, inspiring communities, and putting the West Midlands firmly on the global map.

Following the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and major infrastructure commitments, the region is seeing unprecedented momentum. Flagship projects—such as the major regeneration work taking place at Aston Villa FC, the creation of Birmingham’s new Sports Quarter, the expansion of elite training facilities, and the growth of community sports hubs—are reshaping our urban landscapes and creating new economic opportunities. Our hosts at Edgbaston Stadium are currently in the 3rd phase of their masterplan, with a £45 million stadium redevelopment and 146 bed hotel due for completion in Spring 2027.

This conference will explore how sport is much more than a game—how it can revitalise neighbourhoods, boost skills and employment, attract inward investment, and foster civic pride. This conference will focus on what the region could and should be doing to make sure it capitalises on the huge opportunities presented through the rise of sports regeneration across the West Midlands.

But the question remains: how do we go beyond the sport?

Through keynote addresses and panel discussions, we will explore:

• Sports led Regeneration in the region: Why now and how big is the prize?
• Winning Formulas: The Dos and Don’t of Sports-Led Regeneration
• Driving sporting excellence and investment are such key catalysts for regeneration in the West Midlands
• Job Creation and Skills: Do the numbers really add up?
• The role of political leadership in making sport-led regeneration a reality
• Winning the Mega Events: Is the West Midlands ready to consistently win the big prizes?
• The Sports Quarter and its role in shaping the region
• How sport has changed, and continues, to change people’s lives across our region

Bringing together sports leaders, urban planners, investors, policymakers, community organisations, and academics, this event will showcase the West Midlands as a living laboratory for sport-led regeneration.  Make sure you join us for the day!

Tickets:

Members of the Centre for the New Midlands' Reimagining the Region network can claim their complimentary delegate pass by emailing conference@thenewmidlands.org.uk - (bookings must be made by 12th December)

Early bird tickets are available for just £99 + VAT (until 12^th December 2025)

From 13^th December, our tickets will be priced at:

• £125 + VAT for not for profit organisations & additional tickets for our Reimagining the Region members
• £175 + VAT for private sector

(Please note that all of our prices displayed on this site are inclusive of VAT and VAT receipts will be issued via email on receipt of purchase)

Location:

Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, Birmingham, West Midlands B5 7QU

Get directions

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