Sports Governing Bodies Offer Backing
For upcoming SALTEX
SALTEX 2026 has secured the backing of five major sporting organisations as the exhibition prepares to celebrate its 80th edition at the NEC Birmingham on 11-12 November.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU), Rugby Football League (RFL), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), The Football Association (FA) and Football Foundation will be represented at the event, underlining its role in connecting grounds professionals, volunteers and suppliers across grassroots and elite sport.
The organisations highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge, accessing new technology and improving playing surfaces, particularly as grounds teams face challenges including drought and increasingly demanding fixture schedules.
Ted Mitchell, national facilities development manager at England Rugby, said, “SALTEX provides an important opportunity for the rugby community to share knowledge, explore new approaches and understand the developments that can help improve facilities at every level of the game.”
The Football Foundation also highlighted the exhibition’s relevance to its ambition to help ensure grassroots football has 20,000 good-quality pitches by 2030.
Chris Smith, the Foundation’s head of programmes, said access to the right knowledge, equipment and funding could make a significant difference to pitch quality, adding that volunteers would be vital to achieving the target.
Alongside the sporting organisations, visitors will be able to explore products and services from hundreds of exhibitors and access more than 30 hours of free educational content through Learning LIVE.
SALTEX 2026 takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 11-12 November, with free registration available.
