Here’s why you need to be at this year's Night Time Economy Summit in Liverpool

Next week, one of the biggest moments for the UK nightlife industry is going down, and it’s happening in Liverpool. The Night Time Economy Summit 2026 is taking over Blackstock Market for two packed days of big ideas, insider knowledge and real talk about the future of club culture, live music and events.

If you’re the type who’s always on Skiddle hunting for the next rave but also dreaming about throwing your own parties, running a label night, promoting shows or levelling up your DJ career, this event is definitely for you.

Hosted by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), the summit brings together promoters, venue owners, artists, policymakers and nightlife leaders from across the world. It’s where the people shaping the industry swap knowledge, share hard truths and figure out how to keep nightlife alive, thriving and evolving.

So what can you expect? Let’s break it down 👇

Panels, interviews and serious industry knowledge

Across both days, the schedule is absolutely stacked with panels and interviews designed to give you a proper look behind the curtain of the nightlife world.

You’ll hear from scene leaders from Vienna, Amsterdam, New York and the Middle East, alongside major UK organisations like UK Music, UK Hospitality, CAMRA, Black Lives in Music and PRS for Music. Add in venue operators, label heads, radio tastemakers and MPs, and you’ve got a full-spectrum view of how the industry really works.

Topics cover everything DJs and promoters actually care about - from how AI and new tech are changing festivals and live events, to protecting grassroots venues, improving club infrastructure and keeping local scenes alive.

Then there are the spotlight interviews. These are the big ones.

On day one, Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order) sits down with BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins to reflect on 50 years of music, culture and Northern sound heritage. House music royalty Sam Divine and Todd Terry dive into dancefloor culture and the evolution of club music, while Liverpool’s own Red Rum Club celebrate the city’s legendary late-night legacy.

You can check out the full Night Time Economy Summit programme below.

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Where you’ll find Skiddle

As official ticketing sponsor of the summit, we’ll be right in the thick of the action.

You’ll spot the Skiddle team on-site across both days, chatting with promoters, swapping stories, sharing ticketing tips and generally talking all things nightlife. Our content team will also be dashing around the venue, capturing the best moments, biggest quotes and standout sessions over both days.

Make sure you’re following Skiddle Promoters on Instagram and LinkedIn for live updates, behind-the-scenes content and industry gems straight from the floor.

And we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to host some of our own sessions too.

Rise and Rave with Skiddle: Breakfast mixer

If you’re an aspiring promoter, a DJ building your brand, or someone who wants to stop just attending events and start running them, this one’s unmissable.

Our Rise and Rave breakfast mixer kicks off day two from 10 am to 11 am and is built specifically for early-career event organisers. You’ll hear directly from experienced UK promoters sharing real-life lessons, mistakes, wins and practical advice you can actually use.

Bonus: Arrive before 10:15 am, and you’ll gain free entry (just make sure you book your session ticket in advance - grab yours here).

Skiddle panel: Mastering the Art of Selling Tickets 

Let’s be honest, throwing a great event is one thing. Filling it is another.

That’s why we’re hosting our ‘Mastering the Art of Selling Tickets’ panel on day two, stage two, from 10 am - 11 am. A practical, no-fluff discussion focused on what actually drives sales in 2026.

You’ll hear from:

• Filipe Brandão (Defected / Modern Funktion)
• Chloe Timoney (Defected / Glitterbox)
• Ellie Tuvey (Cobrand)
• Andrew Hill (Baltic Weekender)
• Alex Donald (Undivide / Free From Sleep)
  
  

Expect real strategies, fresh thinking and tips you can apply to your next rave, club night or festival slot straight away. If you want bigger crowds and better turnout, this is essential listening.

Global perspectives on nightlife

Skiddle’s Head of Festivals and Partnerships, Duncan King, will also be jumping on a panel exploring how global conflict and world events are impacting live music and nightlife.

It’s a wider look at the forces shaping the industry, and why what happens globally still affects your local scene, club nights and touring artists.

Catch this on day one, stage three, at 4:30 pm.

Tickets for the Night Time Economy Summit 2026 are still available, but in short supply.

If you love nightlife, want to break into promoting, level up your DJ career or simply understand how the industry really works behind the scenes, this is your chance.

Grab your ticket below, join the conversation, and be part of the future of nightlife.

Buy tickets:

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Header image credit: Night Time Industries Association / nighttimeeconomysummit.com