Join scholars and practitioners at the 23rd British Philosophy of Sport Association conference to discuss the values, ethics, and meanings of play, games, and sport
The 23rd meeting of the British Philosophy of Sport Association will be hosted at the Oxstalls Campus, University of Gloucestershire, from 8-10 April 2026. This gathering invites philosophers, ethicists, and scholars of human movement to exchange research on the distinctive values of play, games, and sport.
Early practical information is now available: registration is open, and the call for abstracts runs until 16 January 2026. Attendees should note the venue is the university Business School on Oxstalls Lane, GL2 9HW.
The conference format mixes formal paper sessions, keynote lectures, social events, and a playful workshop.
Speakers and sessions will interrogate ethics, policy, technology, and cultural perspectives within sport philosophy. Delegates can expect parallel panels, a drinks reception, a guided tour of Gloucester, and an association AGM. Practical travel, accommodation, and ticketing details follow to help you plan attendance.
Programme and keynote highlights
The programme includes plenaries and parallel sessions across the three days. Notable keynote speakers are Professor Michael McNamee, Full Professor in the Faculty of Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences at KU Leuven and Professor of Applied Ethics, Sport and Exercise Sciences at Swansea University, who will speak on the Spirit of Sport and its relevance to the WADA 2027 Code. Professor Pam Sailors, Professor of Philosophy at Missouri State University, will present a talk titled Technological Revenge Redux. Both addresses are intended to provoke discussion about values, regulation, and technological change in sport.
Daily schedule at a glance
Wednesday 8 April opens with a welcome at 13:00 followed by three parallel sessions through the afternoon and a refreshment break at 14:45. Sessions resume into early evening, concluding with a drinks reception from 16:45-18:15. Thursday 9 April runs from 09:30, featuring morning parallel panels, a refreshment break at 11:00, and Keynote 1 from 12:00-13:00, followed by lunch and the AGM at 14:00. Afternoon panels end before a 17:00 guided tour of historic Gloucester. Friday 10 April follows a similar morning pattern with final panels and Keynote 2 at 11:30-12:30, and afternoon parallel sessions wrapping up mid-afternoon.
Registration, fees, and the play symposium
All attendees must book ahead. The early bird period runs until 28 February with rates at £50 concession (students, low-income, or unwaged) and £100 standard. The normal rate applies from 1-31 March and is £75 concession and £150 standard. For an extra £10, delegates may join a playful play symposium where participants will build with Lego and toys while engaging with three short provocations: Dr Wendy Russell on a relational capability approach to play and wellbeing, Bolin Li on historical encounters between Chinese and Western play theories, and Dr Alison Harmer on ludic research in practice. Instead of Q&A, feedback will be shared through storytelling about the Lego models created. For enquiries contact Emily Ryall at [email protected].
What the fees include
Ticket prices cover access to panels, keynotes, coffee breaks, and the drinks reception. The play symposium is optional and requires separate payment at registration. Delegates are advised to reserve accommodation early and to check the conference page for updates. The organisers emphasise that registration secures place in limited-capacity parallel sessions and workshops.
Travel, accommodation, and local logistics
The Oxstalls Campus address is Oxstalls Lane, Longlevens, Gloucester, GL2 9HW, and the conference sits in the university Business School. The nearest airports are Birmingham International Airport and Bristol Airport. By rail, the campus is about one mile from Gloucester (GCR) railway station. Local buses 94, 94X, and 95 depart from Gloucester Transport Hub (postcode GL1 1DF) and reach Oxstalls in approximately 4-5 minutes with fares around £2-£3. Drivers should note campus parking requires pay-and-display or the JustPark app with charges of £3.70 for a full day or £2.30 for up to three hours, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Free parking is available next to Oxstalls Indoor Tennis Centre at Plock Ct, Tewkesbury Rd, Gloucester GL2 9DW.
Accommodation options can be found via Visit Gloucester. Recommended hotels include the Edward Hotel in Gloucester and Hotel Indigo at the Forum, which offers a conference discount for stays within the event dates; callers can reserve via Central Reservations at +44 (0)800 02 85 880 and request the group rate with code BPS. Other nearby choices are Premier Inn Gloucester (Quayside) and Travelodge Gloucester.
