NORDIC SPORTS LAW CONFERENCE 2026 – GET YOUR TICKET BELOW!

The Finnish Sports Law Association warmly welcomes You to a two-day Nordic Sports Law Conference bringing together top international experts, practitioners, academics, and other professionals from across the world.

The event will explore latest jurisprudence, including CAS Ad Hoc division decisions from the winter olympic games, and the balance between AI and Fundamental rights in sports.

Through panel discussions, we explore the effects of the latest decisions of CJEU and national courts, upcoming changes in the WADA code and future challenges facing athletes' rights and on the other hand, major sporting events.

The event is designed to encourage open discussions, with also networking sessions playing an important role. Whether you work in sports organizations, legal practice, or academia, the Nordic Sports Law Conference provides valuable insights and practical perspectives on the future of sports law.

VENUE & ACCOMMODATION

The event will be held at Scandic Park Helsinki, close to the city center of Helsinki. After registering for the conference, You will receive a link to book hotel accommodation at a discounted rate.

FULL PROGRAM

Friday 8.5.2026

10:00 Registration & Opening

Mika Poutala, Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity

10:45 Jurisprudence

Latest Jurisprudence on Nationality-Based Exclusions and Neutral Athletes

Hannu Kalkas, Attorney (FIN)

CAS Ad Hoc Winter Olympics in Milano & Cortina d’Ampezzo

Annett Rombach, Attorney, CAS Arbitrator (GER)

12:15 Lunch

13:15 Panel Discussion – Autonomy in the Balance: Can Sports Federations Survive the EU Competition Law Challenge?

Chair: Mikko Kohtala, Lawyer (FIN)

Antti Aine, Professor (FIN)

Benoit Keane, Solicitor(IRE)

Lars Halgreen, Attorney (DEN)

Stefano Bastianon, Professor, CAS Arbitrator (ITA)

14:30 Coffee Break

15:00 Artificial Intelligence in Sports: Balancing Innovation with the Protection of Fundamental Rights

Ida Laakkonen, Doctoral Reseacher (FIN) 

16:00 Panel Discussion – The WADA Code 2027: (Less) rule and (more) discretion (?)

Chair: Jens Evald, Professor, CAS Arbitrator (DEN)

Ulrich Haas, Professor, CAS Arbitrator (GER)

Markus Manninen, Attorney, CAS Arbitrator (FIN)

Jessica Wissmann, Head of Legal Antidoping Sweden (SWE)

Anna Thorstenson, Former WADA Athletes' Anti-Doping Ombuds (SWE)

19:00 Dinner & the Traditional Afterparty

Saturday 9.5.2026

9:30 Legal Challenges Facing the Athletes’ Rights

Chair: Pia Ek, Attorney (FIN)

Emma Terho, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission (FIN)

Michele Bernasconi, Attorney, CAS Arbitrator (SUI)

Janie Soublière, Attorney, CAS Arbitrator (CAN)

Eirik Monsen, Attorney (NOR)

10:45 Future Legal Challenges of Major Sporting Events

Chair: Sean Cottrell, Lawyer, CEO LawInSports (UK)

Ian Scott, Attorney, CAS Arbitrator (JPN)

Antti Pihlakoski, Chairman of WA Championships’ Bid Evaluation Panel (FIN)

Raphaelle Favre Schnyder, Attorney, CAS Arbitrator, Member of 2027 FIS Alpine skiing WC Excecutive Committee (SUI)

Dr. Kaari Mattila, Professor of Practice in Human Rights and Democracy (FIN)

12:00 CLOSING

12:15 LUNCH