Typically, international delegates will arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which is 15 to 30 minutes from the main venue, depending on traffic en route. It is advisable to allow extra time to reach your appointed meeting point, as Manila’s traffic can be quite congested during the late-afternoon and evening rush hours.
Grab remains the easiest and most reliable transport option for delegates travelling between hotels, the expo venue, and evening networking events. Many delegates also choose to stay near the Mall of Asia, which makes it much easier to move around during summit week.
The summit is centred around three main locations:
- SMX Convention Centre Manila
- Conrad Manila
- City of Dreams Manila
Because these venues are relatively close to each other, delegates can move between conferences, poker tournaments, receptions, and networking events without spending hours travelling across the city.
Where the summit happens
SMX Convention Centre Manila is the primary venue for SiGMA Asia 2026. It houses the exhibition hall, conference stages, the startup village, and the networking lounge for conference attendees. SMX is located in the Mall of Asia complex and is surrounded by other excellent amenities, including restaurants, cafes, shopping, and hotels, making it one of the most easily accessible business districts in Metro Manila.
The Conrad Manila is the host site for several key events during the week, including the SiGMA Awards, welcome receptions, networking opportunities, and experiences for platinum ticketholders. The City of Dreams Manila will host the SiGMA Poker Tour, which will run in parallel with all other SiGMA Summit events.
One of the benefits of the setup in Manila is that everything is close together, allowing delegates to easily go from their conference sessions to their dinners, their networking drinks to their poker tournaments in a timely fashion.
Networking starts before the expo
A frequent blunder among first-time attendees is arriving only on expo days. At the SiGMA Asia conference, however, you’ll see there’s plenty of opportunity to network before the exhibition doors open.
The official pre-event celebration at Uma Nota on May 31st will bring all delegates together before the summit fully gets underway. DJ Soda will be the headliner, and VIP areas will be reserved for select attendees. This will create a more relaxed atmosphere in which introductions can be made before all schedules are filled.
The event is open to all ticket holders, although Platinum delegates receive access to exclusive VIP areas. Smart casual attire is required, and organisers have made it clear that sportswear and flip-flops will not be accepted.
The poker scene takes over Manila
The SiGMA Poker Tour has become one of the standout attractions at SiGMA Asia, drawing both professional players and industry delegates seeking to network in a different setting. With a guaranteed prize pool of PHP 20 million, one of the biggest guarantees ever attached to a SiGMA Poker Tour event, the tournament series is expected to attract strong international participation throughout the week.
The tournament series starts with satellite events, including turbo formats, bounty events, freerolls, and multiple flights of the Main Event, culminating in the final tournament at City of Dreams Manila. These tournament events build a sense of community by offering an opportunity to network with delegates who use poker as a less formal way to establish new relationships.
The series reaches its peak on 4 June with the Main Event final table deciding the Manila champion. The final day also includes the Hendon Mob Championship conclusion, the Last Chance Turbo, and the ATFX Highroller Invitational.
What to expect at the expo
The SiGMA Asia exhibition officially opens on 2 June at the SMX Convention Centre, bringing together companies from across the gaming and emerging technology sectors.
Delegates can expect to meet:
- gaming providers
- sportsbook suppliers
- payment companies
- affiliate platforms
- blockchain firms
- AI startups
- esports brands
At the expo, the Startup Village will be the largest area, attracting many investors and operators who want to discover innovative products and establish new partnerships.
In addition to hosting the expo, the conference programme will also take place on the SiGMA and AIBC Stages. The topics of discussion will include AI technologies for gaming, player retention techniques, affiliate marketing growth throughout Asia, emerging Asian gambling jurisdictions, the blockchain ecosystem and the innovations being developed by startups.
The sessions expected to attract the largest number of attendees at the conference will focus on AI-driven gaming solutions, affiliate marketing opportunities in Asia, and Web3 integrations for gaming platforms. The two live startup pitch competitions, AIBC Pitch and SiGMA Pitch, are also expected to attract a large number of attendees on Day 2 of the conference.
For delegates planning to spend full days at the expo, comfortable footwear is strongly recommended.
Premium experiences during summit week
Several side events throughout the week are reserved for Platinum delegates and guests, providing attendees with more focused networking opportunities away from the busy expo floor.
One standout experience is the SiGMA Nexus Elite Golf Tour at Club Intramuros Golf Course. Limited to just 40 C-level guests, the event combines golf, premium hospitality, and executive networking in one of Manila’s most unique locations. Delegates attending are required to wear golf attire, including a mandatory white golf shirt.
The Manila Bay yacht cruise offers another premium networking experience, with Platinum delegates boarding a luxury yacht for a two-hour cruise, a five-course meal, and onboard drinks before the main conference programme begins.
Throughout the summit, the Platinum VIP Lounge inside SMX Convention Centre also becomes one of the most valuable networking areas, especially during afternoon drinks sessions where operators, affiliates, and investors gather in a more relaxed setting.
The SiGMA Awards
The SiGMA Awards remain one of the biggest highlights of summit week. Held at the Forbes Ballroom inside Conrad Manila, the evening celebrates companies and individuals making an impact across gaming, tech, and affiliation.
The night includes a formal dinner, a networking reception, entertainment, a charity auction, with the artworks being displayed during the preregistration for delegates, and an awards ceremony, bringing together many of the industry’s most recognisable names under one roof.
Formal attire is required, with lounge suits and evening wear expected from guests. Entry is limited to Platinum ticket holders, sponsors, and paid seat guests, making it one of the summit’s most exclusive events.
Closing the week in style
After several intense days of conferences, meetings, and networking, the summit ends with the official SiGMA Party at BSK Manila. This year’s closing celebration carries the theme “Manila After Dark: 2088”, blending futuristic visuals with Manila’s urban nightlife culture through immersive LED installations, hip-hop-inspired aesthetics, and high-energy entertainment.
The music lineup keeps the energy going deep into the night, with DJ Yulia performing from 22:00 to 01:30, followed by DJ John Odin from 01:30 to 04:00. Alongside live performers and an international crowd, the closing party gives delegates one final opportunity to network and celebrate before departing Manila.
For many attendees, some of the most valuable conversations of the week happen during these evening events rather than inside conference rooms.
Stay connected with SiGMA Match
By downloading the SiGMA Match application before arriving in Manila, delegates can easily make the most of all that SiGMA Asia has to offer. The app enables delegates to pre-schedule meetings, access an interactive floor plan, create a personalized agenda in advance of the summit, and connect with exhibitors, affiliates, operators, and investors before the event. Delegates will receive real-time updates on public transport, announcements from the speakers and networking capabilities through the application itself.
Practical Essentials
- Weather in late May and early June
Expect hot and humid conditions, with average daytime temperatures around 31–33°C and evenings typically sitting between 25–27°C. Sudden rain showers are also common during this period, so lightweight clothing, comfortable footwear, and a small umbrella are recommended.
The Philippines uses Type A, B, and C sockets with a standard voltage of 220V. A universal travel converter is suggested.
The local currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted across hotels, restaurants, malls, and summit venues, although carrying some cash is useful for smaller purchases and transport.
Why Platinum matters
While all ticket holders can access the expo and conference areas, Platinum access unlocks the full SiGMA Asia experience. Platinum delegates gain access to VIP lounges, networking drinks, premium side events, the yacht cruise, and the SiGMA Awards.
Upgrading to Platinum can drastically improve the experience at the summit for all attendees who have made advancing partnerships, business development and building a strong foundation for future networking their focus at the summit.
With thousands of delegates expected across gaming, blockchain, AI, payments, and affiliation, SiGMA Asia 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest editions yet. From the expo floor at SMX Convention Centre to the poker tables at City of Dreams Manila, the summit offers four days where business, networking, and entertainment all come together in the heart of Manila.
Get your badge ready before arrival
To make registration smoother, delegates can generate their event badge in advance using the official badge generator here. This helps avoid queues during busy registration periods and speeds up entry across summit venues.
SiGMA Badge Generator
For more information, visit the SiGMA Website: https://sigma.world
