The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi will host the 2026 National Sports Safety and Security Conference and 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 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.”
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.