How to plan a company sports challenge in 2026: 6 steps

1. Define the goal of the challenge

The first and most important step in planning a sports challenge is setting a clear goal. What do you want to achieve with the challenge? Is it improving health, increasing team integration, or supporting a charitable cause?

Monika Bladowska from Scania shares: “Our main goal was to increase employee engagement and improve their health. We wanted to bring different departments together and strengthen the sense of community within the company.” Clearly defining the goal will help guide the rest of the planning process and ensure you choose the right tools. Your goals might include:

• Improving employee health
• Boosting team integration
• Increasing motivation and engagement
• Supporting charitable causes

2. Choose the right tool

Selecting the right tool for running the challenge is key. A great app will help track employees' activities, award points, and organize the competition. Scania decided to partner with Activy, and it proved to be the perfect choice.

Dorota Matuła, co-founder of Activy, highlights: “When choosing a tool, it’s important to look at user reviews, the provider's experience, and their expertise. Make sure to check how well they’ve handled challenges with similar companies and what kind of feedback they’ve received.”

When choosing a tool, consider:

• Reviews on Google Play and App Store
• Experience in organizing challenges for companies in your industry
• Recommendations and case studies from other clients
• User satisfaction (e.g., NPS scores)
• How well the app fits your company’s needs

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3. Get executive buy-In

Running a sports challenge involves costs, so it’s crucial to get buy-in from your company’s leadership. The challenge is a significant investment, and you need to show how it will deliver value.

Monika from Scania recalls: “The presentation prepared by Activy was key for us. It showed how other companies had successfully organized similar challenges, and this helped convince our executives to greenlight the project.”

To get executive buy-in, make sure to:

• Present data from other companies that highlight the impact of sports challenges on engagement and employee health
• Showcase the benefits (e.g., better health, reduced absenteeism)
• Prepare a clear ROI calculation to show how the investment will pay off in terms of productivity and employee engagement

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4. Set the rules, rewards, and charitable goals

It’s not just about getting people moving; you need clear rules, enticing rewards, and possibly a charitable angle to keep employees motivated.

Małgosia Tritt, a participant in Scania’s challenge, shares: “For me, the main motivation was helping children. Every kilometer we covered contributed to a real cause, and that was incredibly motivating. It wasn’t just a physical challenge, but an emotional one as well.”

Remember, you don’t have to come up with everything from scratch. Take advantage of Activy’s consultants, who, based on their experience working with other companies, know exactly what works and what doesn’t. With Activy, you can also choose from pre-designed challenge models, so you don’t have to dive into the nitty-gritty details of rules and point systems.

Here’s what to consider:

• Including a charitable cause, like fundraising for a meaningful project
• Setting up a point system that accounts for different activities (e.g., running, walking, cycling)
• Offering attractive rewards – such as vouchers, sports equipment, or even bonuses

5. Promote the challenge effectively

To make sure your challenge reaches its full potential, you need to promote it effectively. Employees need to know about the challenge and be excited to participate.

Monika from Scania says: “We launched the challenge during a special event, where the CEO presented the goals and rules. It worked really well because employees felt involved from the get-go.”

Effective promotion methods include:

• Hosting a launch event (e.g., a meeting with the CEO)
• Distributing promotional materials (flyers, posters, QR codes)
• Using your internal communication channels (intranet, emails)
• Engaging challenge ambassadors – people who inspire others to participate

6. Report results and reflect on the challenge

Once the challenge is over, it’s time to gather the results and evaluate the impact. Reporting and reflecting will help you see if your goals were met and what can be improved for future challenges.

Dorota Matuła explains: “Wrapping up the challenge is a crucial moment. Scania conducted a detailed survey to understand what employees thought about the challenge and what we could improve. This kind of feedback is invaluable for planning future challenges.”

Reporting includes:

• Surveys to gather feedback from participants
• Analyzing engagement data (e.g., kilometers covered, health improvements)
• Presenting the results to executives to highlight successes
• Planning future editions based on the feedback and results

In Conclusion

Planning a sports challenge for 2026 requires careful thought and involvement at every step. Scania is a great example of how a well-planned sports challenge can improve employee health, foster integration, and boost engagement. By following these 6 steps, you’ll be well on your way to organizing a challenge that brings real benefits to both employees and your company.

Want to learn more about organizing sports challenges at your company? Book a consultation to plan your sports challenge for 2026. Companies that decide by the end of 2025 will enjoy attractive discounts!

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