The Goafest has returned with the second edition of ‘Advertising Plays’, a sports and wellness initiative jointly organised by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club. The initiative has brought together professionals from advertising, media, and marketing sectors in an informal engagement setting.
The 2026 edition has featured inter-agency competitions such as table tennis and pickleball, aimed at encouraging participation across skill levels. It has also included wellness-led morning sessions like yoga and zumba to promote well-being and networking among attendees.
The programme has incorporated indoor and interactive experiences including foosball, air hockey, VR cricket, and arm wrestling. These activities have been designed to drive engagement across delegates and create a mix of sport and recreation.
The initiative has also introduced a competitive structure with awards and recognition for winners. A live leaderboard within the Goafest app has tracked points across activities, and the agency with the highest cumulative score has been set to receive the ‘Sportiest Agency’ title.
The second edition has been supported by Mediakart as the ‘Powered By’ sponsor, in association with Republic TV. The platform has remained open to all registered delegates, with a focus on inclusive and gender-neutral participation.
The event has been scheduled to take place from May 20 to 22, 2026, at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, reinforcing Goafest’s focus on a broader festival experience that combines work and informal networking.
“Advertising Plays is a reminder that while we compete fiercely in boardrooms and pitches, we are also part of one vibrant, closely-knit industry. Bringing it back for its second season, we wanted to create a space where that spirit of camaraderie can truly come alive, on the field, in moments of celebration, and through shared experiences that go beyond work. It’s not just about sport; it’s about agencies coming together, letting guards down, and rediscovering the joy of collaboration through healthy competition”, added Mohit Joshi, Co-Chair of the Goafest 2026 Organising Committee and Chief Executive Officer of Havas Media Network India.
“Advertising Plays reflects what Goafest truly stands for- a balance of work and play. The response to its debut showed us how much the industry values coming together beyond business, to connect, celebrate and recharge. As we bring it back this year, we look forward to seeing the community come together once again to inspire, celebrate and play, and we’re delighted to have Mediakart on board as the ‘Powered By’ sponsor for Advertising Plays, in association with Republic TV.” – Jaideep Gandhi, Vice President, Advertising Agencies Association of India and Chairman of the Goafest 2026 Organising Committee.
