News TEDSports The stage is set for the inaugural TEDSports conference, where leadership meets playPosted by: TED Staff August 18, 2025at 10:00 am EDTThe worlds first TEDSports conference is set to transform Indianapolis into a global laboratory for sports innovation this September 9-11, 2025. As we prepare to welcome athletes, tech entrepreneurs and thought leaders from around the world, were stepping into the TED world of what a conference can be not just a series of talks, but a curiosity-fueled experience, pushing boundaries and forging lasting connections.Secure your spot now and be a part of history at the first-ever TEDSports.Here are some highlights of whats to come:Explore unseen opportunities in sportsTEDSports will redefine our understanding of the sporting ecosystem, bringing together visionary leaders who are not just talking about the future but actively shaping it.Take Linda Rheinstein, whos using her background at NASA to dream up an audacious vision of sports in space for future Astroletes. Theres alsoPaul Triple H Levesque WWE Hall of Famer, 14-time World Champion and now chief content officer who will pull back the curtain on WWEs powerful storytelling machine, exploring the psychology of performance and the universal power of heroes, villains and redemption arcs that captivate more than a billion fans globally.Joining them is game-changing athletic director Warren Keller, whorevolutionized sports at Gallaudet University, from integrating 5G helmet technology for deaf football athletes to fostering an environment where every individual can unleash their potential.We will also hear the incredible journeys of Cindy Ngamba, who rose from detention camps to Olympic glory as the first individual to win a medal as part of the International Olympic Committees refugee team, and Sam Ramsamy, who bravely fought apartheid through sport. These individuals serve as powerful testaments to the transformative power of sport.Beyond spectating: How to succeed under pressureAt TEDSports, learning isnt passive its powerful, hands-on and unforgettable. Through immersive experiences like themed dinners, workshops with sporting legends and hands-on activities, attendees dont just listen they lead.An example: An immersive talk on teamwork, seen through the lens of a high-octane pit stop challenge with Arrow McLaren, featuring legendary driver Tony Kanaan at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In this test of speed, teamwork and precision, youll learn (and perform) with an actual pit crew to understand what it takes to lead under pressure because in racing and in life, a split-second misstep can make all the difference.Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Photo: Penske Entertainment)Ready to kick things up a notch? At TEDSports, the Performing Under Pressure Discovery Session takes you to the legendary Lucas Oil Stadium for a once-in-a-lifetime field goal challenge, coached by Super Bowl champ Stephen Hauschka. On the same turf where NFL history is made, youll test your nerves, focus and follow-through. Whether youre a rookie or a vet, this is leadership under pressure, with the game on the line and the stadium lights on you.Interested in learning from a GOAT? Sign up for a workshop with Kerri Walsh-Jennings, who will share her secrets of preparation and recovery that resulted in three Olympic Gold Medals, a win streak of 112 consecutive matches and being one half of the greatest beach volleyball team of all time.These immersive challenges are designed to provide practical insights, foster teamwork and equip participants with the resilience and collaborative spirit needed to thrive in any dynamic environment.Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (Photo: Indy Arts Council)Indianapolis: More than just a venueIndianapolis is the perfect backdrop for TEDSports, as it embodies how a city can build a sports ecosystem and evolve through an intentional sports strategy. Its home to the Indianapolis 500, the NCAA headquarters, the Colts, Pacers and Fever, USA Track & Field, USA Gymnastics and USA Football and a fast-growing sports tech scene. The city is supported by world-class research and academic offerings with Indiana University, Purdue University and the American College of Sports Medicine. This Midwestern hub has completely transformed itself into the epicenter of sports, anchored by the best midsize airport in North America for 12 consecutive years.And the timing couldnt be better. The US is entering an unprecedented era of global sports prominence, with the FIFA World Cup 2026 just around the corner and the LA2028 Olympics on the horizon. Indianapolis represents the heartland of this sporting renaissance its accessible yet ambitious, traditional yet incredibly innovative.Indianapoliss compact downtown also ensures attendees can walk between all event venues, creating a massive sports-village-like experience where every moment helps you make connections and sparks bold new ideas.Downtown Indianapolis (Photo: Jesse Faatz)The team behind the visionCo-chairs and founders of TEDSports Indianapolis, Patrick Talty (left) and Neelay Bhatt (right) (Photo: TEDSports Indianapolis)Behind every groundbreaking event is a dedicated team. For TEDSports Indianapolis, that vision is championed by co-chairs Neelay Bhatt and Patrick Talty, along with a team of pioneers across every sector that make up the local organizing committee. This collaborative philosophy is part of Indys DNA and has been at the heart of our approach to TEDSports from day one, said Talty.The team has curated global viewpoints to craft an experience that one can get only at TED and only in Indianapolis, Bhatt adds.Indianapolis isnt just hosting TEDSports; its living it.To immerse yourself in three days of the most awe-inspiring experiences and ideas in sports, join us from September 9-11, 2025.Secure your spots now and be a part of history at the first-ever TEDSports.