In a world where the great outdoors meets the ultimate adrenaline rush, one event is breaking the mould. In March 2027 prepare for the evolution of adventure as The National Outdoor Expo is reborn as OutdoorXpo.
After five years of trekking alongside the UK’s most passionate brands, the National Outdoor Expo is reframing the journey and charting a bold new course. Reimagined as OutdoorXpo, the event is transitioning into an experience-led platform designed for those who live for the trail, the peak, and the open water. This isn’t just a rebrand; it’s a total gearshift. OutdoorXpo has been built around genuine authority, featuring programming, partners, and participants who don’t just talk the talk – they live and breathe the grit and the great outdoors.
Launched in 2022 by Raccoon Media Group, The National Outdoor Expo quickly grew from a standard exhibition into a vital community meet-up. With over 21,000 attendees, it cemented its reputation as one of the UK’s largest gatherings for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts.
In March 2027 (20th-21st), the NEC Birmingham will transform into a new, wild frontier as OutdoorXpo unleashes the ultimate playground for thrill-seekers. This rugged event sees the adrenaline of climbing and trail running collide with the spray of watersports and the raw grit of bushcraft survival.
Rather than just listening to tales of exploration, visitors will find themselves immersed in the heart of the action – testing high-spec cycling rigs, mapping out global expeditions with industry legends, and diving into hands-on skills sessions. It is a weekend designed to shift the balance from passive spectating to pure participation, giving every explorer the tools to navigate the unknown.
The Ultimate Basecamp: Four New Territories to Explore
The redesigned format is anchored by four defining elements that mirror the journey of every adventurer:
- Activity: The heart-pounding pursuits that drive the community.
- Equipment: The rugged, reliable gear explorers rely on.
- Skills: The essential expertise developed through experience.
- Environment: The breathtaking landscapes where it all happens.
One Destination. Infinite Depth.
The new layout moves beyond the traditional show floor. By combining top-tier products, expert coaching, and hands-on experiences into immersive hubs, OutdoorXpo creates a coherent environment where visitors can spend more time within their specific areas of interest – each will feature activity-led environments designed to be used. From climbing to watersports, the platform enables enthusiasts to build connections and delve into their favourite passions with more depth than ever before.
The new-look OutdoorXpo is built for those who live for the wild. The event assembles a heavy-hitting line-up of legends ready to share the ultimate guide to the outdoors.
OutdoorXpo 2027 will host an elite roster of outdoor icons ready to share their survival secrets and epic tales. Those announced so far include:
- Global Pioneers: World-renowned filmmaker and climber Jimmy Chin, big-mountain skier Jim Morrison, and legendary survivalist Ray Mears.
- Endurance Titans: Adventurer “Hardest Geezer” Russ Cook, explorer Levison Wood, and record-breaking mountaineer Leo Houlding.
- Trailblazers: Broadcaster Louise Minchin, naturalist Steve Backshall, Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing, Black Girls Hike founder Rhiane Fatinikun and extreme adventurer Squash Falconer.
Stop Spectating, Start Exploring
Designed for every weekend warrior, wilderness seeker and future pioneer, the OutdoorXpo 2027 features immersive, discipline-led zones covering eight core areas: Hiking, Trail Running, Cycling, Climbing, Camping & Bushcraft, Adventure Travel, Watersports, and Family.
Visitors will discover the latest innovations and high-performance equipment to push their limits, from specialised technical gear to essential alpine tech. OutdoorXpo is the ultimate launchpad to find the next peak and start living life off-grid.
For all media enquiries, contact OutdoorXpo Marketing Manager Ben Yeo at ben.yeo@raccoonmediagroup.com
Notes to Editors:
OutdoorXpo #OutdoorXpo
A utopia for outdoor enthusiasts – provides all of the inspiration, kit, tech, nutrition and advice needed to get outside and get active.
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About Raccoon Media Group
Raccoon Media Group is a dynamic, high-growth media business focused on enabling healthy and active lives. Our media properties deliver year-round content and advice to specialist, self-identifying consumers that share a love of being outside, healthy and active. Our events are well-timed, community-driven, tightly focused and passion-led. They bring buyers and sellers together to see cutting edge innovations in a fun and exciting way.