2026 Sport Event Taiwan Workshop Launch Forum Marks a New Milestone in International Alignment
To further deepen the development and promotion of Taiwan’s flagship sporting events, strengthen event brand value, and help Taiwan’s competitions connect with the international stage so that outstanding events can shine in the global sports community, the Ministry of Sports (MOS) launched the “2026 Sport Event Taiwan Workshop” (SET Workshop). Four international forums will be held this year. The launch forum was held at Huashan 1914 Creative Park on May 8, bringing together domestic and international experts to exchange experiences and insights on hosting international sporting events to enhance city branding and national image, with the aim of increasing Taiwan’s international visibility and influence.
The MOS stated that Taiwan hosts more than one hundred international sporting events each year and continues to support organizers in enhancing event quality and international engagement capabilities. This year’s theme, “100 Events × Discover Taiwan,” aims to highlight Taiwan’s sporting vitality and the unique character of its cities through events held across the country. The initiative seeks to establish Taiwan-branded international sporting events by integrating competitions with local tourism, culture, and regional characteristics, creating diverse event experiences, expanding domestic and international participation, and advancing Taiwan’s sports industry. Through sporting events as a platform, Taiwan’s strengths in both services and infrastructure can be demonstrated to the world.
The forum focused on event management practices and international trends. Hirotaka Matsuoka, President of the Asian Association for Sport Management (AASM), delivered a keynote speech titled “City Branding and Sustainable Development of Sporting Events,” sharing Japan’s experience. Etsuko Ogasawara, Asian Representative of the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG), together with research lead Elizabeth Pike, discussed global trends in women’s participation in sports development. The panel discussion session was moderated by renowned sports broadcaster Hou Yi-Li and featured Associate Professor Chen Chien-Wen of National Taiwan Ocean University, who also serves as head coach of the Chinese Taipei tug-of-war team. He shared Taiwan’s experience in combining city branding and marketing through the hosting of the “2026 World Indoor Tug of War Championships” in March. He also exchanged views with Tetsuro Nakayama, Senior Advisor of the Japan Sports Tourism Alliance (JSTA); Charles Lim, President of the Philippine Sports Tourism Alliance (PSTA); and Charlie Jung, Vice President of the Thai Mass Participation Sports Trade Association (TMPSA). The forum also introduced outstanding teams participating in the MOS-initiated APEC Sports Policy Network (ASPN) Sports Technology Innovation Accelerator, including Healthy Plate, Rebas Sports, and Ness Wellness. These teams shared applications of sports technology in sporting events, including AI image recognition, data integration, and nutrition and wellness management solutions.
In addition, memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed with organizations including AASM, JSTA, PSTA, TMPSA, and the ASPN Sports Technology Innovation Accelerator to establish international exchange mechanisms, strengthen cooperation between domestic and international sporting events and cities, and introduce international professional resources to enhance the capabilities of local event organizers.
For more information about the 2026 SET Workshop, please visit the “International Sports Exchange” section of the MOS’s official website.( https://www.sports.gov.tw/CP/6249)