Corporate sporting festival set to return

A Midlands-based corporate sporting festival is set to return this summer, giving businesses the chance to compete, connect and invest in their teams.

The UK Corporate Games will return to Coventry in August 2026, bringing together organisations from across the region for four days of friendly competition hosted by the University of Warwick. 

Taking place from August 20 to 23, the event will see businesses compete across up to 20 sports, ranging from padel and netball to golf and dragon boat racing.

Organisers are placing a strong emphasis on encouraging small and medium-sized businesses to take part, highlighting the flexible format that allows companies to enter individual competitors or full teams across multiple events. 

The Games are being supported by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to help increase regional participation.

Doug White, UK Corporate Games’ director, said: “We’re really excited to be bringing the UK.

Corporate Games back to the University of Warwick in 2026 and to be shining a spotlight on the fantastic businesses across the Midlands.

“The Games help people feel more connected to their teams and their business, while also meeting new businesses in the process. 

“We love seeing staff support each other outside of the workplace and enjoy themselves in a completely different environment.

“We’re also looking forward to working alongside the Chamber of Commerce to get in front of businesses who might not have considered entering the Games before.

“You don’t need a huge workforce or elite athletes to take part – all abilities are welcome and businesses of all sizes can get involved, have fun and feel part of something bigger.

“We had a fantastic Games when we last came to the University of Warwick in 2023, and we’re confident of an even better edition this year.”

Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, added: “We should be really proud that the UK Corporate Games is returning to the region for the fourth time which shows what a fantastic location we have for events of this magnitude.

“We’re encouraging businesses and organisations from across the region to find out more about the Games and to get involved – it’s great for health and wellbeing, great for team spirit, is an opportunity to network and is also loads of fun too.”

Beyond sport, the event is positioned as a tool for improving staff wellbeing, strengthening teamwork and creating informal networking opportunities with other Midlands and national businesses. 

Previous events have attracted major employers, including Barclays, Balfour Beatty, EY and Places for People.

Among those already signed up is Armstrong Accountants, which operates across Coventry, Nuneaton and Hinckley. 

The firm’s involvement highlights how smaller businesses can use the Games to engage employees and raise their profile within the regional business community.

Cheryl Stanley, business development manager at Armstrongs Accountancy, added: “The UK Corporate Games are a fantastic opportunity to promote wellbeing, teamwork and engagement across Armstrongs.

“When we heard the Games would be returning to Coventry, we knew straight away we had to take part – they bring our people together, encourage healthy lifestyles, and instil a strong sense of pride across the company.”

Further details about sports, entry options and how businesses can register for the 2026 Corporate Games can be found here.

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