In Spring 2025, the Sports & Society Program is bringing its signature event to the Bay Area and the beautiful campus of the University of California, Berkeley. It’s our first time on the West Coast since the launch of Project Play in 2013 and we’re planning to make it the best yet. California is the nation’s largest youth and school sports market, host to the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Cup and Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics, and a center of innovation in sport, tech and play. The Summit sells out early every year, so don’t miss your chance to join other change-makers shaping the future of youth sports.
Tentative Schedule of Events
Monday, March 24 — Tuesday, March 25
University of California, berkeley
Day 1
8:00am - 5:00pm Registration, Networking, Plenary Sessions, Breakout Sessions
5:00pm - 7:00pm Opening Night Reception
Day 2
7:30am - 9:00am Optional Wellness Activities
9:00am - 10:00am Networking breakfast
10:00am - 4:00pm Breakout Sessions
What To Expect
Whether you're a coach, administrator, non-profit executive, fitness advocate, researcher or other change-maker who aims to positively impact youth, the Project Play Summit is for you. As the nation’s premier gathering of leaders building healthy communities through sports, our conference brings together 500+ attendees from across the U.S. and internationally.
UNRIVALED NETWORKING
You'll meet leaders from all eight sectors that Project Play recognizes as touching the lives of children: Community Recreation Groups, National Sport Organizations, Policymakers & Civic Leaders, Education, Parents, Public Health, Business & Industry, and Tech & Media.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
The 2025 Summit will focus on key themes: Health & Safety, Tech for Good, Coaching, Communities, and Youth Voice, among other topics. We will explore ways to help the nation achieve 63% youth sports participation by the year 2030, a target set by the government’s Healthy People 2030 initiative and the focus of our 63X30 roundtable. We will unpack the trends to watch in our State of Play report and pump new ideas into the bloodstream that can help build a youth-centered sport ecosystem that serves all. In plenaries and breakouts, discover tools and gain fresh insights from grassroots innovators, youth, policymakers, national sport leaders, best-selling authors and top citizen-athletes.
ACTION
Be there as funders and other organizations announce new programs and commitments. We'll elevate examples of how communities, businesses and government can work together to improve access and provide quality experiences for all kids.
About Project Play
In 2013, Project Play was launched as the nation's first cross-sector effort to build healthy communities through sports. Today, with the Aspen Institute serving as field catalyst, it's a movement of thousands of organizations across the U.S. and beyond – sharing knowledge and developing actions aligned with our strategic frameworks.
Transportation & Lodging
Preferred Room Blocks
The Summit has set up the following preferred room blocks for attendees. Book early as group rates are first-come, first-serve. Exclusive booking links will be shared upon confirming your registration.
Hilton Garden Inn, San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge — rates from $169/night
1800 Powell Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
Hotel Shattuck Plaza — rates from $209/night
2086 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
Getting to Berkeley, CA
San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK) is approximately 12 miles from UC Berkeley and is the closest major domestic and international airport. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is approximately 25 miles from campus with more frequent flights and extensive public transportation links. Mineta San Jose Airport (SJC) is approximately 45 miles from UC Berkeley and is another option.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) operates three underground train stations in Berkeley with direct airport transfers from OAK and SFO. See link for additional details.
For more information on the services available, please see the Visit Berkeley website.
Event Transportation
Shuttle service will be provided to/from the preferred room blocks and the Summit meeting venues on March 24 and 25. A full transportation schedule will be shared closer to the start of the Summit.
With Thanks to Our Sponsors
Interested in sponsoring the Summit? Contact Katherine.Quinn@AspenInstitute.org