Europe’s biggest safety-focused skydiving event returns and it’s heading south.
Registration is now open for the 6th edition of the European Skydiving Symposium (ESS), the iconic three-day event that brings together skydivers, instructors, military representatives, and manufacturers from around the world.
The next Symposium will take place February 25–27, 2026, in Seville, Spain, focusing on enhancing safety and knowledge across all disciplines of skydiving. After five successful editions in Poland, the organizers are taking ESS south to the sun for an even bigger gathering of the global skydiving community.
Last year, more than 700 participants from over 30 countries attended. This edition promises to be even larger, continuing ESS’s mission to raise safety standards and build stronger connections across the sport.
What Is ESS?
Held every two years, ESS combines safety-focused content, interactive workshops, and a vibrant expo area with evening events, film screenings, and product demos.
Moving to Spain guarantees three days that feel more like a skydiving fiesta than a traditional conference. Whether you’re a fun jumper, instructor, or industry professional, ESS offers valuable insights and inspiration.
With the rapid growth of skydiving worldwide, investing in education and shared knowledge has never been more important. Attending ESS helps jumpers learn from others’ experience, sometimes painful, and gain fresh perspectives on familiar procedures.
“Community integration within the skydiving world is the key to raising safety standards,”
says Arkadiusz Majewski, ESS organizer.
“In 2024, more than 700 participants joined us, from AFF students to instructors with 30 years’ experience, civilian and military. ESS is a place where we come together to learn, share, and prevent avoidable accidents.”
What’s in the ESS Program?
ESS 2026 features multiple thematic tracks designed for every corner of the sport. The new Skydiving Symposium mobile app already previews the upcoming agenda:
- Fun Jumpers Track
- Tandem Instructors Track
- AFF Instructors Track
- Riggers Track
- Dropzone Owners & Managers Track
- Military Track (new)
- Content Creators & Marketing Track (new)
- Workshops & Demonstrations Track (new)
“We design the agenda so every skydiver finds something valuable,”
says Marta Molińska, Agenda & Sponsor Director.
“Experienced AFF instructors might prefer accident analysis or program evolution talks, while newer jumpers will find essential guidance on canopy progression, early camera use, or reserve choices. And everyone benefits from sessions on mental health, group flying safety, or dual malfunctions.”
The full schedule including speaker bios, presentation details, and exhibitors can be explored in the mobile app.
Among the 40+ confirmed speakers are some of the most respected names in skydiving:
Pete Allum (Flight-1), Kate Cooper-Jensen, Norman Kent, Alethia J Austin (SkydiveMag), Neil Wilcox (UPT), Ron Bell (USPA), Maxine Tate (Flight-1), Angie Aragon (USPA), Beau Riebe (Performance Designs), James La Barrie (Beyond Marketing), Jim Cowan (Flight-1), Julien Peelman (JYRO), Dieter Kirsch, Jasper van der Meer (ToraTora), Andrew Samper (UPT), and Julian Barthel, among others.
Additionally, the USPA DZO Conference and USPA Standardization Meeting will be hosted before and after ESS. These events require separate registration and are organized solely by USPA.
Conference and Expo
The heart of ESS is knowledge-sharing and safety, and the Expo Zone completes that mission. Attendees can meet equipment manufacturers, canopy designers, riggers, jumpsuit makers, and dropzone representatives — all in one place.
You’ll be able to test canopy flight simulators, try on suits, and explore new technology firsthand. Over 50 brands are already confirmed, including:
Vigil, UPT, Cypres, Burble, Icarus, Performance Designs, SunPath, JYRO, Cookie, Parasport Italia, Alti-2, Option Gravity, Lodie, Vertigen, Flyspot, Windobona, Tunnel Tech, and more.
The Expo will also include leading military and defense companies such as Flight-1, CPS, Safran Group, BlackHawk Aerospace, BRÜGGEMANN, Airborn Systems, and FIN.
New this year is the “Rising Stars” program, giving visibility to emerging brands in their first years in the industry.
“We wanted to make sure young companies can be part of the conversation,” explains Kasia Witkowska, co-organizer. “These small but innovative teams will have their own dedicated area to showcase their ideas.”
The full exhibitor list is available on the ESS website.
Beyond Education and Business
ESS isn’t just a conference — it’s an experience. Side events make networking and relaxation a natural part of the program, including:
- Film screenings (including the premiere of 400 directed by Gulcin Gilbert)
- After Party hosted by ToraTora
- Live translation for fun-jumping presentations
- Daily lotteries and giveaways
- Parachute first aid workshops
- Round-table discussions
- Blind Packjob Race
Why Seville?
This edition is co-organized with Skydive Spain.
“We wanted a location where participants can jump before or after the conference,” says Victor Fernandez Grande, Manager of Skydive Spain.
“Hosting ESS here is both an honor and a chance to showcase our DZ. Right after the conference, we’ll host Gear Testing Days, and pre-conference events will follow soon after.”
With its warm climate, historic architecture, and world-class cuisine, Seville offers the perfect setting to combine learning, jumping, and travel — while much of Europe faces winter.
Event Details
Dates: February 25–27, 2026
Venue: Ilunion Alcora Hotel (discounted rate available via ESS link)
Registration: register.skydivingsymposium.eu
💶 Ticket Prices:
- Super Floater (until Oct 31, 2025): €55/day
- Regular (Nov 1–Dec 31, 2025): €75/day
- Last Diver (Jan 1, 2026 until event): €89/day
See you in sunny Seville for another unforgettable European Skydiving Symposium!
