NCS⁴ Announces 2026 Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition
Tue, 01/13/2026 - 09:40am
The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security at The University of Southern Mississippi will host the 2026 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition, in partnership with title sponsor ASSA ABLOY, June 23–25 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, Calif.
The premier event will bring together industry leaders, security professionals and key stakeholders dedicated to enhancing the safety and security of sports and entertainment venues. Attendees will include representatives from professional sports, intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics, endurance events, sports and entertainment facilities, law enforcement, emergency management, and safety and security solution providers.
The 2026 conference theme, “Honoring the Past, Securing the Future,” recognizes the leaders and partners who have shaped the sports and special events safety industry while highlighting emerging challenges, technologies and strategies defining its future. The conference will also mark NCS4’s 20 years of advancing safety and security across sports and special events.
Programming will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, hands-on workshops and an exhibition hall showcasing the latest security technologies and services. Additional details will be announced soon.
“The NCS4 Annual Conference is one of the most impactful sports safety and security events in the industry,” said Eugene Byrd, director of safety and security compliance for Major League Soccer. “Through my involvement with NCS4 and attendance at the conference each year, I have expanded my network and deepened my knowledge of the safety and security space by learning about the latest industry trends and patterns, as well as understanding how many of our industry partners are working to solve common issues. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with some of the brightest minds in sports, and that’s because of the engaging and collaborative atmosphere that the NCS4 conference provides each year.”
ASSA ABLOY will serve as the event’s title sponsor.
“Our partnership with NCS4 underscores the combined value of ASSA ABLOY and HID delivering integrated security solutions that unify access management, facial recognition and trusted credential management,” said Jeremy Saline, senior director of business development for ASSA ABLOY. “Together, we enable venues to operate more efficiently and strengthen safety for every person and asset. We’re proud to collaborate with industry leaders at NCS4 to shape the future of stadium and event security.”
Early-bird registration is available through April 15 at a rate of $700 for NCS4 Connect members and $775 for non-members. Rates will increase after April 15. A group rate of $675 per person is available for organizations registering three or more attendees. Private-sector registration is $950 per person. Additional details and exclusions are available on the conference website.
About the 17th Annual Conference
The National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition attracts more than 500 attendees and 70 exhibitors representing professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, marathon and endurance events, sports and entertainment facilities and providers of safety and security products and services. Learn more about the annual conference.
About NCS4
Established in 2006, the NCS4 is the nation’s only academic center devoted to the study and practice of sports safety
and security. The NCS4 is partially underwritten by grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NCS4 mission focuses on three key pillars – Training and Education, Research and Outreach. For
more information, visit the NCS4 website or call 601.266.6183.