Successful launch of XIX International Sauna Congress
Exactly one year before the XIX International Sauna Congress (ISC26) opens in Oslo City Hall in the capital of Norway, the Norwegian Sauna Association invited sauna enthusiasts from around the world to an online launch event, marking the start of the final preparations for what will certainly be a historic event.
International Sauna Congress will take place 24th–26th September 2026. You can find more info at saunacongress2026.org.
At the online launch, information was given about the format of the congress, the plan for tickets distribution, call for speakers and more, and we heard from people involved in the event:
Risto Elomaa, president of International Sauna Association (ISA)
Lasse Eriksen, president of the Norwegian Sauna Association, board member of ISA and chair of the ISC26 program committee
Kim Nyheim Ragnarsson, CEO of The Well Spa & Hotel
Erlend Mogård-Larsen, founder of SALT Art & Music Oslo
Ragna Marie Fjeld, secretary general of Oslo Sauna Association
Mikkel Aaland, honorary member of ISA and the Norwegian Sauna Association
Stig Arild Pettersen, secretary general of the Norwegian Sauna Association
The online launch was recorded, and we invite you all to watch it here:
Here is a summary of what was said at the event:
Norges Badstulaug welcomed attendees to the ISC26, which will be hosted in Oslo and aims for over 500 participants across three thematic stages, with The Well Spa & Hotel serving as the main sponsor and other sponsors supporting various themes. Risto Elomaa, President of the International Sauna Association, expressed pleasure at Oslo hosting due to its sauna boom and cultural showcases, while Lasse Eriksen, President of the Norwegian Sauna Association, highlighted Norway's unique and rapidly growing sauna culture. The program committee will soon release a call for speakers, and tickets will be released in phases, with initial allocations for ISA member countries.
Welcome and Introduction Norges Badstulaug opened the meeting by welcoming attendees and requesting them to mute their microphones to ensure a smooth event. They announced that the meeting was being recorded and would be shared later for those who could not attend. Stig Arild Pettersen, Secretary General of the Norwegian Sauna Association, expressed enthusiasm for hosting the International Sauna Congress (ISC26) in Oslo, marking one year until its opening at Oslo City Hall.
ISC26 Vision and Scope Stig Arild Pettersen described ISC26 as an "urban event" in Oslo, a renowned sauna city. They anticipate over 500 participants for three-plus days of knowledge sharing across three thematic stages: "sauna and health," "global sauna culture," and "architecture, technology and sustainability". Additionally, a "Sauna Live" stage at Salt Art and Music will feature live interviews in a podcast format, with participants encouraged to wear bathrobes and flip-flops.
International Sauna Association's Perspective Risto Elomaa, President of the International Sauna Association (ISA), expressed his pleasure that Oslo was chosen to host the 19th International Sauna Congress due to its significant sauna boom. He emphasized the importance of both the scientific aspects of the congress and the cultural showcases, hoping for participation from over 30 countries. Risto Elomaa also suggested including a presentation on Norway's sauna history, particularly the influence of Finnish immigration in the northeast.
Norway's Unique Sauna Culture Lasse Eriksen, President of the Norwegian Sauna Association and Chair of the ISC26 program committee, highlighted Norway as a land of trolls, fjords, northern lights, and a vast array of saunas, emphasizing sweat bathing as a meeting point between nature and people. He described Norway's sauna scene as rapidly growing and innovative, blending heritage with modern movements, and underscored the event's purpose to unite the global sweat community.
Main Sponsorship and Venue Norges Badstulaug announced The Well Spa & Hotel as the main sponsor for ISC26, highlighting their natural partnership for such an event. Kim Nyheim, CEO of The Well, expressed pride in supporting the congress, offering participants access to their extensive spa facilities on the opening evening, which will include 15 saunas, steam rooms, and 10 pools.
Additional Sponsors and Special Stages Norges Badstulaug also introduced other key sponsors: Therme Group as theme sponsor for "sauna and health," Aromen for "global sauna culture," and Narvi for "architecture, technology and sustainability". The "Sauna Live" stage, featuring a podcast format inside a sauna, is dually sponsored by Finnmark Sauna (UK) and Periode (Norway), with hosts including Glenn Auerbach from Sauna Talk and Jake and Max Newport from Sauna Twins.
Key Venues and Experiences Erlend Mogård-Larsen, founder of Salt, provided insights into the venue, describing it as a culture arena with music, concerts, and 12 different saunas, planning a program filled with talks, and an evening party with sauna and a big meal. Ragna Marie Fjeld, Secretary General of the Oslo Sauna Association, discussed the city's floating sauna scene, noting their growth to 26 saunas at seven locations with 20,000 members, and their ambition to compete with Helsinki as the "sauna capital of the world".
Historical Context and Community Support Mikkel Aaland, an honorary member of both the Norwegian and International Sauna Associations and a program committee member for ISC26, praised the event's deep roots and international scope, expressing his full support. He emphasized the importance of sustainability for the worldwide sauna phenomenon and looked forward to connecting with the community.
Practical Information and Call for Speakers Norges Badstulaug provided practical details, announcing that the program committee is actively working on the schedule and will soon release a call for speakers, encouraging proposals from relevant contributors to advance sauna knowledge. Tickets will be released in phases, with an initial allocation for ISA member countries to ensure broad participation, followed by a general release.
Accommodation and Travel Opportunities Attendees will have several accommodation options, including special rates at The Well and selected Strawberry chain hotels in central Oslo. The organizers are also establishing a network of sauna community hosts in Oslo to foster connections among participants, and will offer tickets for various sauna journeys across Norway.
Attendee Questions and Clarifications Risto Elomaa clarified that Tampere, not Helsinki, is considered the sauna capital of the world, leading Norges Badstulaug to suggest Oslo could aim to be the floating sauna capital. Lassi Liikkanen inquired about the program structure, learning it will primarily feature talks based on submitted proposals, with headhunting for specific topics if needed.
Inclusivity and Ticketing Strategy Sauna Times raised questions about potential airline connections and scholarship opportunities for international attendees, especially from countries with weaker currencies. Norges Badstulaug acknowledged these concerns, stating they are exploring sponsorships for speakers and aiming for an inclusive event while balancing budget considerations. Mark Lamb from the British Sauna Society asked about ticket capacity and allocation, learning that tickets will be distributed based on the size and activity of sauna communities in each country, with a maximum capacity of 500+ attendees at Salt.
Collaboration and Future Outlook Minea Herwitz from Finlandia Foundation National and North American Sauna Society expressed excitement for collaboration and cross-promotion of National Sauna Week. Norges Badstulaug affirmed their excitement for the congress, noting the booming sauna scene across Norway and expressing gratitude to Risto Elomaa and the ISA board for their trust in hosting the event.
