NEXT.io Founder Criticises SiGMA’s Move to May Over Potential Clash

NEXT.io founder Pierre Lindh has criticised SiGMA founder Eman Pulis over the decision to move SiGMA World in Rome from November to May 2027.

In a LinkedIn post, Lindh alleged that the change was made without advance consultation and would overlap with NEXT Summit Valletta, scheduled for May 26-27 at Malta’s Mediterranean Conference Centre. Those dates are confirmed on NEXT’s event website. 

Lindh Questions Timing and Communication

Lindh argued that SiGMA had shifted its competitive attention towards NEXT after receiving feedback that partners were prioritising ICE and SBC Summit Lisbon. That explanation represents his assessment of SiGMA’s motives.

Pulis apologised and attributed the move to customer requests and limited availability at the Rome venue. Reporting on the exchange indicates that the organisers subsequently discussed whether the events could run consecutively, while Lindh maintained that coordination should have preceded the announcement. 

Exact Rome Dates Remain Unconfirmed

SiGMA’s official announcement confirms May 2027 but does not specify exact dates. The reported May 25-27 window would overlap directly with NEXT Valletta, although it should still be treated as provisional.

SiGMA has presented the move as a way to spread Europe’s major industry exhibitions more evenly between January’s ICE, Rome in May and September’s SBC Summit Lisbon. 

Separately, iGaming AFRIKA CEO Jeremiah Maangi proposed retaining November dates while relocating the exhibition to Malta. That suggestion is an alternative put forward during the debate, rather than an announced change to SiGMA’s plans.