Global sports betting brand 1xBet looks back at a busy first six months of 2026, during which it attended 15 events across four continents and picked up a swathe of industry awards along the way.
The first half of 2026 marked a period of dynamic international growth and stronger market positioning for 1xBet. Over the course of six months, the brand’s team traveled thousands of kilometers to participate in 15 of the world’s largest iGaming exhibitions across four continents – Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
From Barcelona to Dubai, and from Panama to Tbilisi, 1xBet continued expanding its presence at the industry’s leading events, creating new opportunities to connect with both existing and prospective partners.
Each event on the calendar had its own format and objective. In one city, 1xBet focused on expert discussions; in another, it brought football legends to its booth; elsewhere, it transformed a partner gathering into an immersive entertainment experience.
This six-month international journey resulted in five prestigious industry awards, thousands of new partnership contacts, exclusive events and premium prize giveaways.
ICE Barcelona: Art as the new language of networking
The international season began in Barcelona, one of the most influential in the global iGaming industry.
A standout highlight of the event was the exclusive 1xPartners party for the brand’s top partners, inspired by the surrealist world of Salvador Dalí and the concept of traveling through different eras.
From the moment they arrived at the picturesque venue, guests were welcomed by an actor portraying the legendary artist, accompanied by a bellhop. They were then guided into an art gallery, where a themed interactive quest unfolded. Live theatrical performances, musical acts and immersive shows seamlessly followed one another, transforming the evening into a large-scale interactive experience.
What made the event truly distinctive was the way entertainment became an integral part of business communication. Every element was designed to foster a relaxed atmosphere for networking, encouraging partners to connect naturally and discuss new business opportunities in an informal setting.
SiGMA Eurasia: When a world champion appears at the booth
The next stop showcased a different approach to exhibitions and audience engagement. At SiGMA Eurasia in Dubai, the 5D booth’s main attraction was Blaise Matuidi – the legendary French footballer, World Cup winner and former Paris Saint-Germain star. Exhibition visitors had the opportunity to meet the midfielder, play a football simulator with him, receive an autograph and take photos.
The booth also generated additional excitement through prize draws, with the top rewards including four tickets to Paris Saint-Germain matches and a custom-branded PlayStation 5 Pro designed in the club’s signature style.
In this way, football naturally connected the brand’s sporting identity with the exhibition format and live interaction.
SBC Summit Rio: A place to talk business
In Brazil, 1xBet focused on combining a professional business environment with an interactive visitor experience. Booth A250 was designed as a comfortable networking space featuring a dedicated bar area where partners could discuss business over refreshing drinks.
At the same time, Simon Westbury, the company’s Strategic Advisor, took part in the summit’s main conference panel, addressing one of the industry’s most relevant topics – the global expansion of international gambling operators.
Visitors were also invited to enjoy the interactive Pop Splash game and participate in luxury prize draws. The grand prizes included a Louis Vuitton Horizon 55 suitcase on the first day of the event and an iPhone 17 Pro on the second.
SiGMA Africa: Market development through local expertise
In early March, 1xBet’s international tour continued in Cape Town at SiGMA Africa. At Booth 706 in the Grand Arena, the brand’s team presented the 1xBalance program, focusing on local market specifics and the responsible development of the gaming industry.
One of the conference speakers was Nnanna Ewuzie, a Responsible Marketing specialist, who shared her insights on the prospects of the African market.
Alongside the business agenda, visitors were invited to participate in the engaging Afro-Memo game, where individuals or teams competed to match pairs of African mask images as quickly as possible.
Each day concluded with a prize draw. On the first day, the winner received an Apple iPad Air M3, while the second day’s grand prize was a pair of Apple AirPods Max headphones.
AGE Africa 2026: Professional recognition in the African market
Another key milestone of 1xBet’s African tour was the Africa Gaming Expo.
At its own booth A01, 1xBet continued strengthening relationships with partners. However, the exhibition’s most significant achievement was not the on-site activity itself, but the prestigious industry recognition the brand received.
At the awards ceremony, 1xBet was named African Sports Betting Operator of the Year, reaffirming its leading position in one of the industry’s fastest-growing markets.
This marked the conclusion of the first quarter of 2026 – from a major European exhibition and a surrealist Dalí-inspired partner party to a strong presence at key events across the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.
Conversion Conf Warsaw: Interactive experiences as a way to start a dialogue
The spring exhibition season continued in Warsaw. At booth G13, the brand combined traditional networking with interactive gaming mechanics. Visitors tested their reflexes by attempting to stop a timer at exactly one second.
The concept proved both simple and highly effective, quickly engaging attendees and creating a natural opportunity to start conversations with the 1xBet team. Visitors also had the chance to win premium prizes, including an Apple iPhone 17 Pro and a Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III camera.
The exhibition was followed by an exclusive Fight Club-themed partner party, organized in collaboration with YO SPACE.
SiGMA Americas: Another award and an exclusive party
The exhibition in São Paulo was one of the busiest events of the quarter. During the SiGMA Awards South America, 1xBet was honored with the Best Sportsbook Operator 2026 accolade.
At booth K176, the brand combined an extensive business program with large-scale entertainment featuring a special guest from the world of mixed martial arts.
At the beginning of the conference, Simon Westbury presented the International Player Safety Index – Latin America, a research initiative focused on player protection and the development of regulated gaming markets.
The booth’s star guest was Carlos Prates, UFC fighter and 1xBet brand ambassador, who hosted an autograph session and took photos with visitors throughout the event.
The highlight of the exhibition was the exclusive Private Collection party. Designed around the concept of a secret mafia hideout, the event featured a Jungle Chic aesthetic, live art performances, vintage artifacts, an interactive Traveler’s Scroll ritual and exotic photo zones where guests could pose with a live snake.
The business program was complemented by prize draws held throughout the two-day exhibition, with standout prizes including a MacBook Air 15 and an exclusive Louis Vuitton x The Darjeeling Limited Keepall 50 travel bag.
SIC Cyprus: Strengthening partner relationships
At SIC Cyprus, the brand showcased at booth E4, where the primary focus remained on direct engagement with visitors, knowledge sharing and effective traffic acquisition strategies. The exhibition’s grand prize was an iPhone 17 Pro.
SBC Summit Malta: Another prestigious award
At SBC Summit Malta, 1xBet received one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades, earning the Best Affiliate Program award, which reaffirmed the brand’s leadership in affiliate marketing.
As part of the conference agenda, Simon Westbury joined a panel discussion on ESG, artificial intelligence and finding the right balance between commercial objectives and player protection.
Chris Bird also delivered a presentation on how the brand prepares for major international football tournaments – an area closely connected to planning affiliate and marketing campaigns throughout the season.
Meanwhile, booth B40 attracted visitors with an interactive reaction-time challenge, engaging activities and a prize draw featuring an Apple iPad mini.
MAC Affiliate Conference: Award, 90s-themed party and 12,000+ USDT prizes
The MAC Affiliate Conference offered another example of 1xBet’s diverse approach to partner engagement. Visitors to the brand’s booth had the opportunity to win an exclusive Apple Watch Hermès edition.
Following its success at SBC Summit Malta, 1xBet was also named Best Brand at the conference in Yerevan. The event’s standout attraction was the exclusive partner party, Platform 1X.
The concept recreated the atmosphere of a high-speed train transporting guests back to the 1990s, complete with oversized silhouettes, leather jackets, retro sportswear, special guest appearances and the ambiance of a private members’ club.
The grand finale matched the scale of the event: the overall winner received a Rolex Datejust 41, while four additional finalists shared a prize pool of over 12,000 USDT.
SiGMA Asia: Expanding across the Asian market
At SiGMA Asia in Manila, the brand held key meetings and negotiations with regional partners, presented the benefits of its affiliate program and continued in-depth discussions on the future growth of the Asian iGaming market.
SAGSE Panama: Focusing on Central America
At booth 113 in Panama, 1xBet focused on engaging with visitors, building valuable business relationships, and hosting a prize draw where attendees could win an Apple iPad mini.
PGS Peru: New contacts in LATAM
At PGS Peru, 1xBet’s VIP lounge became a productive venue for discussions on the latest trends shaping the future of the Latin American iGaming industry. The brand’s team actively exchanged insights with summit participants, laying the groundwork for new large-scale projects.
By the end of the exhibition, hundreds of visitors had gathered around the VIP area, while the traditional prize draw at the 1xBet booth featured an Apple MacBook Neo 13 as the grand prize.
G-Gate Tbilisi: Strengthening partnerships
Over just a few days, the team established new partnerships, advanced existing collaborations and explored fresh business opportunities. The event resulted in dozens of valuable new connections, productive negotiations and promising prospects for future growth.
iGB Live London: A memorable finale to the first half of the season
The two-day iGB Live conference in London marked the conclusion of an eventful first half of 2026.
Before the exhibition, the brand welcomed its top partners to the exclusive Once Upon a Time party at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Inspired by classic British elegance and film noir aesthetics, the event created an atmosphere where business introductions naturally evolved into meaningful conversations and discussions about future collaborations.
The following day, attention shifted to the brand’s exhibition booth, where visitors were invited to experience Football of the Future – a football-inspired interpretation of the iconic Angry Birds game. One of the special participants was legendary former FC Barcelona goalkeeper Vítor Baía, who joined attendees in gameplay sessions, provided live commentary, signed autographs and interacted with guests at booth L20.
The exhibition concluded with a large-scale prize draw featuring gifts worth a total of 13,000. Winners received a Burberry backpack, a Fendi bag, a Rimowa suitcase and a MacBook Pro, while the grand prize was a Bvlgari pendant.
First half of 2026 in facts and figures
During the first six months of 2026, 1xBet participated in 15 major international summits across four continents (Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia), further reinforcing its position as one of the leading brands in the global iGaming industry.
The first half of the year brought the company five prestigious awards:
- African Sports Betting Operator of the Year at AGE Africa
- BEST SPORTSBOOK OPERATOR 2026 at SiGMA Americas
- Best Affiliate Program at SBC Summit Malta
- Best Brand at MAC Affiliate Conference
- Best Sports Betting Operator 2026 at SiGMA Europe Awards
A defining element of 1xBet’s international presence was a series of four large-scale events, including the surrealist Salvador Dalí-inspired experience in Barcelona, the immersive Private Collection party in São Paulo, the nostalgic Platform 1X event in Yerevan and the elegant Once Upon a Time evening in London.
Throughout the six months, the company awarded more than 20 premium prizes, including a Rolex Datejust 41, Louis Vuitton and Rimowa suitcases, luxury accessories from Bvlgari, Burberry and Fendi, the latest Apple devices – the iPhone 17 Pro, MacBook Air and MacBook Neo, iPad Air and iPad mini, and the Apple Watch Hermès – as well as a PlayStation 5 Pro and an additional 12,000 USDT prize pool.
These figures reflect more than just the exhibition venues and the number of events. They represent countless hours of productive networking, new business relationships and the continued expansion of the 1xPartners affiliate program.
The partner journey continues
The first half of 2026 demonstrated that 1xBet’s international presence is built on engaging diverse markets, audiences and communication formats. In some regions, the brand speaks the language of sport; in others, it emphasizes technology and player protection. Elsewhere, it leads with professional expertise or creates environments where meaningful business conversations begin through memorable shared experiences.
Over the course of six months, 1xBet traveled across multiple continents and dozens of cities, earned industry recognition in key markets and continued strengthening direct relationships with partners around the world.
For 1xPartners, this is proof that successful international affiliate partnerships are built not only through digital tools, but also through a strong presence within the industry itself – meeting face-to-face, participating in major global events and engaging with the professional community.
Partner with a brand that sets the pace for the industry and creates new growth opportunities. Join the flagship affiliate program 1xPartners!
