XLeisure has concluded its latest edition, reaffirming its role as the meeting point for every facet of the leisure industry, combining solid performance figures, timely themes and high-quality networking opportunities: a 23% increase in occupied exhibition space, more than 150 exhibiting companies, 8,000 visitors, and over 100 scheduled events including conferences, workshops and live shows. The next edition of XLeisure will take place from 10 to 12 February 2027.   

 

Bologna, 13 February – A successful balance of pools and spas, outdoor design and leisure, fitness and wellbeing: XLeisure – the Sport & Recreation Factory transformed BolognaFiere into a vibrant laboratory of ideas, relationships and opportunities. Three intense days marked the success of an original format capable of integrating exhibition space, congress sessions and experiential areas into a single value-driven platform, conceived by Editrice Il Campo in collaboration with BolognaFiere. Through ForumPiscine, ForumClub and Outex – Outdoor Experience, XLeisure brought together the entire business community across pools, fitness, wellness, outdoor and hospitality, offering both a concrete snapshot and a forward-looking perspective on how sport, wellbeing and leisure are evolving. Beyond products and technologies, the event delivered strategic vision, regulatory updates, management innovation and new development models. A dynamic, cross-sector hub where diverse industries intersect and influence one another, generating connections, expertise and new growth opportunities for the entire leisure sector. 

“XLeisure is far more than an event: it is a platform that connects the growing interest in sustainable lifestyles centered on wellbeing, physical activity and time spent outdoors. The exhibition enhances both indoor environments — from gyms to swimming pools — and outdoor spaces dedicated to relaxation and self-care, which are increasingly in demand,” explain Federico Andrea and Roberto Maestrami, organizers of the expo. XLeisure succeeds in attracting diverse yet perfectly complementary sectors, fostering synergies and connections among manufacturers, distributors, installers and designers of innovative solutions for enhancing leisure time. From residential settings to public spaces, from hospitality venues to fitness clubs, from wellness centers to sports and aquatic facilities, XLeisure stands as the benchmark for those seeking innovation, quality and new business opportunities within the leisure industry. 

XLeisure’s exhibition area expanded by 23% compared to 2025, with 15% of exhibiting companies coming from abroad, notably from Austria, China, France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Spain, the United States, Turkey and Hungary. The event welcomed a diverse audience of more than 8,000 professionals, buyers and enthusiasts from across Italy and abroad. 

On the ForumPiscine and Outex front, the cross-cutting theme of the 2026 edition was safety, placed at the heart of conferences, round tables and institutional sessions. From the discussion promoted by Assopiscine to in-depth technical analyses of regulations, inspections and risk management, the exhibition strengthened dialogue among companies, professionals and institutions in light of forthcoming legislative challenges. A shared pathway aimed at building an increasingly robust and up-to-date culture of prevention. Energy was another major focus, highlighted by the presentation of the Second National Report on Energy Consumption in Swimming Facilities, prepared by FIRE and CoNGePi. The report cast a spotlight on efficiency measures, investment strategies and carbon-neutral prospects for a sector that plays a strategic role in sport and local communities. XLeisure 2026 also broadened its scope to encompass the entire leisure ecosystem. With Parksmania, debate extended to the world of water parks and camping resorts, exploring new entertainment models tailored to families and younger generations. The Beach Gallery, developed in collaboration with Mondo Balneare, showcased innovation and design for the seaside sector, while also examining dog-friendly business models. Dialogue with Federalberghi Terme and Federalberghi Terme Abano Montegrotto provided further insight into management strategies and scientific approaches aimed at revitalizing thermal pool facilities. 

An important focus was placed on agritourisms, where swimming pools—highlighted through a survey presented in collaboration with Agriturismo.it—have once again proven to be a strategic asset for both competitiveness and the identity of rural hospitality. For the second consecutive year, the Pool Builders Days brought together pool designers and builders in a high-level, technically intensive full immersion designed to strengthen skills and vision. Round tables and specialized sessions, developed in collaboration with leading industry partners, provided practical tools, regulatory updates, and in-depth design insights, fostering a qualified exchange among professionals and contributing to the growth of technical expertise across the entire sector. Among the most popular areas were the experiential areas, which put the exhibition’s design vision into practice: from the Save Water installation, dedicated to sustainable pools integrated into the landscape, to the Outdoor Leisure – No Man Is an Island area, which showcased modular solutions for sport, play and relaxation with an inclusive and contemporary approach.

The Innovation Area and the Italian Pool Award shone a spotlight on creativity, safety and cutting-edge technologies. At the Innovation Area, dedicated to the most visionary solutions, ten proposals from exhibiting companies illustrated the future of the sector, focusing on safety, sustainability and next-generation technologies—a concentrated showcase of research and design capable of anticipating new standards for pools and wellness. Alongside these, the 26 projects presented for the Italian Pool Award celebrated excellence, design and construction expertise, transforming the exhibition space into a true gallery of Italian innovation.

ForumClub 2026 combined concrete vision with forward-looking energy, giving a platform to the key players in the evolving fitness sector: entrepreneurs, managers and professionals engaged in discussions on ideas, tools and strategies to understand and shape a market in full transformation. A central theme was Artificial Intelligence, no longer merely a trend but an operational lever: more targeted marketing, automated sales, optimized management and increasingly personalized services. Technology has become a tangible ally in making clubs more efficient, competitive and sustainable. Alongside digital innovation, the trajectory of longevity wellness emerged strongly: fitness as a structured response to the needs of an aging population that wants to remain active, high-performing and healthy. Prevention, quality of life and the design of high-value services are redefining the role of clubs in contemporary society. Discussions also covered new business models, from independent clubs to premium and low-cost formats, consolidation operations and new positioning strategies—creating a dynamic scenario that demands advanced managerial skills, entrepreneurial vision and the ability to differentiate. High-impact content was also presented for club offerings: Pilates as a strategic opportunity, the integration of neuroscience, nutrition and performance, and training as a growth engine for teams and organizations. The ForumClub Congress confirmed its key role for Italian clubs, uniting strategy and expertise. Prominent speakers—from applied technology experts to visionary entrepreneurs and mental coaches—led sessions on business models, customer retention and team performance, providing professionals with opportunities for learning, exchange and inspiration to anticipate trends and strengthen their market role. 

XLeisure 2026 thus reaffirmed itself as a vibrant laboratory of ideas and solutions, where innovation, science and management come together to shape the future. See you from 10 to 12 February 2027.
       
 

Exhibition Space Sales and Scientific Secretariat   
EDITRICE IL CAMPO    
tel. +39 051 255544 - forum@ilcampo.it

Organizing Secretariat and Press Office   
ABSOLUT eventi&comunicazione   
tel. +39 051 272523 - ufficiostampa@absolutgroup.it  
 

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