NAB Show to spotlight AI, sports and creator economy shifts

The 2026 NAB Show will convene industry leaders in Las Vegas from April 18–22, highlighting how artificial intelligence, sports media and the creator economy are reshaping the media landscape.

The event will bring together companies, platforms and decision-makers as the industry shifts from experimentation to implementation across production, distribution and monetization workflows, organizers said.

“We’re at a point where the biggest shifts in media are no longer theoretical. They’re happening in real time across how content is created, distributed and monetized,” said Karen Chupka, executive vice president, Global Connections and Events at NAB. “NAB Show brings together the leaders building that future, and the business decisions shaping what comes next.”

Artificial intelligence is expected to be a central focus, with companies including Adobe, AWS, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Google Cloud demonstrating applications across the content lifecycle. The show will feature nearly double the number of AI exhibitors compared with 2025, including two dedicated AI pavilions.

Sessions will examine how media organizations can scale AI initiatives, identify viable use cases and address concerns around trust, authenticity and content ownership.

Live sports will also be a major theme, as changes in rights, distribution and ownership models continue to reshape the market. NAB Show’s four-day Sports Summit will bring together stakeholders from leagues, teams, broadcasters and investment firms.

Discussions will cover media rights strategies, private equity involvement, athlete-led ventures and evolving fan experiences across streaming and live environments. Jon Miller, president of acquisitions and partnerships for NBC Sports, is scheduled to participate in a featured discussion on distribution and partnerships.

The creator economy will be another area of focus, reflecting a shift toward more structured business models. The expanded Creator Lab will host sessions on monetization, intellectual property ownership and sustainability, as creators increasingly operate as independent media businesses.

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Attendance from creators, influencers and podcasters has more than doubled compared with last year, according to NAB Show organizers.

Across the exhibition floor, more than 1,100 companies are expected to showcase technologies spanning cloud-based workflows, virtual production and immersive media experiences.

The 2026 NAB Show will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with exhibits open April 19–22.