NEXT.io unveils 2026 strategy following record-breaking year
Summary
NEXT.io says 2025 was a landmark year, reporting steep audience and partnership growth across its media, podcast and events businesses. The firm recorded a 91% year-on-year rise in news portal traffic (towards 2.5 million page views for 2025) and a 36% uplift in podcast reach, with close to 500,000 organic views projected by year-end. Events also expanded — NEXT Summit New York grew by 30% to 1,221 delegates and NEXT Summit Valletta became Malta’s flagship iGaming event.
Partnerships increased from 120 to 250 in 2025, reflecting a shift to ROI-driven collaborations. For 2026 NEXT.io plans “News 2.0” with a larger newsroom, localised coverage beginning in Brazil, and a dedicated research arm producing deep-dive reports. Events will broaden with retreats in Portugal, Cancún and Brazil, new formats such as an Affiliate Zone at Valletta, and continued emphasis on digital transformation, personalisation and sustainable growth.
Key Points
- NEXT.io traffic rose 91% YoY, trending towards ~2.5 million page views for 2025.
- Podcast audience increased 36%, with roughly 500,000 organic views projected by year-end.
- Events momentum: NEXT Summit New York up 30%; NEXT Summit Valletta established as Malta’s flagship iGaming event.
- Partnerships more than doubled to 250, signalling a move to ROI-focused, strategic collaborations.
- 2026 priorities: “News 2.0” newsroom expansion, Brazil local coverage, a research arm, retreats in Portugal/Cancún/Brazil, new event formats and a focus on personalisation and sustainability.
Content summary
The article outlines NEXT.io’s strong 2025 performance and sets out concrete growth plans for 2026. It combines performance metrics (audience, podcast and event growth), strategic moves (more partnerships, new newsroom and research capability) and product plans (expanded events and localised coverage). Pierre Lindh frames 2026 as a year to double down on growth, trust and credibility while building the global iGaming community.
Context and relevance
This update matters for anyone tracking the iGaming ecosystem: NEXT.io is both a media barometer and an events hub, so its expansion signals where buyers, suppliers and attendees are placing value — namely research-led insight, in-person community building and demonstrable ROI from partnerships.
Why should I read this?
Quick and blunt: if you work in iGaming (or sell to it), this is useful intel. NEXT.io is scaling its reach and research, rolling out new event formats and entering Brazil — so it affects exposure, lead channels and where the industry will gather next year. Saves you the digging; the highlights show where attention (and budgets) are heading in 2026.
Source
Source: https://next.io/news/features/next-io-unveils-2026-strategy/