World Intellectual Property Day

The theme of World Intellectual Property Day 2026 is “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate”. Sports aren’t just about the game — they reach into fashion, entertainment, media, health, gaming and consumer goods. IP rights enable cross-industry connections with sport, sparking creativity, technological advancement and economic growth. Even when we’re not watching a game in the stadium or on the court cheering, the impact of sports and IP is part of our daily lives. World Intellectual Property Day 2026 celebrates how creativity and innovation, backed by IP rights, keep the world of sports thriving, dynamic and accessible for everyone, everywhere. Join the #WorldIPDay celebrations on April 26th , and together let’s honor the contributions of the creators, inventors and entrepreneurs working behind the scenes to push the boundaries of athletic performance, improve audience experience and bring sports events to every home.

  We all love watching sports. The speed, the power, the drama, the extraordinary moments. But behind every record that's broken and every breathtaking play, there's something important that most fans never see. Innovation. Creativity. Intellectual property. Lighter shoes. Stronger rackets. Safer helmets. Patents protect these innovations, encouraging research and investments in sports-related technology. And then there's the identity of sports. Team logos, athletes' names and images. Trademarks help build the brands that power global sports marketing and that fans rally around. Design rights protect the style of sports. From swimsuits to gym wear to tennis outfits. And when the action reaches our screens through broadcast and social media, copyright protects the content that connects billions of fans worldwide. And all of these extend to esports as well, a huge and growing industry. That is why this year, World IP Day celebrates IP and sports. Because sports is more th...

From football to tennis to ice skating, in every sporting field, inventors and creators are working behind the scenes to push the boundaries of athletic performance, improve audience experience and bring sports events to every home.  IP rights – and the legal protection they give – are the basis for key business transactions that secure the economic value of sports and push the industry forward. Thanks to steady industry growth, sporting organizations can finance high-profile sports events and promote sports development worldwide. The sports industry also contributes to the world economy, creating jobs and developing public infrastructure. Learn more

By acquiring IP rights and using them strategically, sports organizations and other rights owners can protect and increase their income-generating potential. Learn more About Sports Sponsorships

  Video game publishers establish specific frameworks for how their IP can be used in competitive environments. These guidelines define the parameters within which tournament organizers must operate, covering critical aspects such as permitted uses of game assets, competitive formats, broadcasting arrangements , and sponsorship parameters. Many publishers make these guidelines publicly available on their websites, while others require direct contact to secure proper authorization. Understanding these policies is essential for creating events that respect IP rights while delivering engaging competitive experiences.