IPLC 2026 Is Heading to Toulouse. You Should Too.
The International Physical Literacy Conference is heading to Toulouse, France, October 1–3, 2026. The call for abstracts is open now, and the deadline is fast approaching: March 29, 2026.
If you’ve been to an IPLC before, you know what makes it stand out: the opportunity for leaders across sectors to share the work they are doing, see their impact on the ground, and continue to advance physical literacy, ultimately building stronger communities and societies worldwide. The presentations, the conversations, and the collaborations stay with you long after IPLC ends. Past editions, including New York, USA and Umeå, Sweden, have drawn leaders, researchers, educators, and practitioners from more than 30 countries. This year promises to be something special.
Share Your Work in Toulouse
The call for abstracts closes March 29, 2026, and that’s just days away. Whether you’re presenting original research, a case study from your program, or an innovative approach to physical literacy development, this is the stage to share it.
Submission formats include individual presentations, interactive roundtables, panel presentations, and poster sessions.
Why Toulouse
Toulouse is France’s fourth-largest city, sitting between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, with the culture and cuisine to match. Known as La Ville Rose (The Pink City) for its centuries-old terracotta brick buildings that glow in the light, the UNESCO World Heritage Canal du Midi runs through the city. The Basilica of Saint-Sernin, one of the largest Romanesque churches in Europe, anchors the old quarter. Place du Capitole, the city’s main square, is the kind of place where you sit back and never want to leave.
And then there’s the food. Toulouse is the heart of southwest French gastronomy: cassoulet, duck confit, foie gras, local Fronton wines, and markets that are destinations in themselves. The Victor Hugo Market alone is worth the trip.
In early October, Toulouse averages around 21°C (70°F) during the day, with the autumn sun bringing out the warm glow of the city’s pink brick. The summer crowds are gone, but the weather hasn’t turned yet. It’s a great time to be in the south of France.
The conference venue, Centre de Congrès Pierre Baudis, is in the city centre, next to the Compans-Caffarelli gardens and a short walk from the Canal du Midi.
Beyond Toulouse, the region is worth exploring. The medieval fortress of Carcassonne is under an hour away by train. Bordeaux, France’s wine capital, is just over two hours away. And the Mediterranean coast is about two hours east, with beaches, seaside towns, and sunshine waiting.
The Conference
IPLC France 2026 is organized around the theme Stronger Together through Movement and is hosted by Sport for Life in partnership with the Toulouse Université Club. The program brings together leaders, policy-makers, practitioners, educators, researchers, environmental planners, and changemakers from across the health, education, sport, and recreation sectors.
Four streams anchor the program:
- Physical Literacy for Everyone — Advancing equitable access through inclusive and adapted programming for lifelong development of physical literacy.
- Health and Prevention — Addressing inactivity and supporting wellbeing through physical literacy.
- Research and Innovation — Advancing evidence, evaluation, and emerging practices.
- Quality Environments — Creating safe, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate experiences.
Each stream features research presentations, case studies, innovative practices, and practical tools, with content relevant to all levels of experience.
We’re currently finalizing an exciting lineup of keynote speakers from across the health, education, sport, and recreation sectors. We can’t wait to share those names with you in the coming weeks. Stay tuned. Alongside the keynotes, expect panel discussions, active workshops, and networking events across three days of programming.
Who Should Be There
If your work connects to physical literacy in any way, this conference is built for you. IPLC draws researchers and academics, education leaders, PE teachers, coaches and trainers, sports professionals, public health officials, policy-makers, community leaders, NGO representatives, and more. Whether you’re on the front lines of program delivery or shaping the policies behind it, you’ll find your people here.
Three days of the most forward-thinking conversations happening in physical literacy right now. An evening welcome reception. Networking with colleagues from 30+ countries. And all of it in one of the most beautiful cities in the south of France.
Mark October 1–3 in your calendar. Submit your abstract by March 29. And start looking at flights to Toulouse.
Submit your abstract and stay up to date: physicalliteracy.ca/iplc
Questions? Contact shelley@sportforlife.ca