The Payments Association unveiled its large-scale initiative, Payments Week 2027, in London
On July 7, The Payments Association (TPA)—the largest international professional association and business community in the field of payment technologies and fintech—held its flagship summer networking event, PA@the City, at the historic Somerset House complex in central London. The event brought together representatives from leading banks, fintech innovators, and payment systems, including Mastercard.
In addition to celebrating the community’s growth, the evening served as a platform for the official announcement of a new project—Payments Week—presented by the association’s CEO, Emma Banimandhab. Kate Gallagher, Kate McKenzie, and Lee Allen from Nineteen also joined the presentation on stage.
Building on the success of its annual spring conference, Pay360, the association is transforming its event strategy to meet the needs of the global industry. Payments Week, scheduled for April 2027, is designed as a five-day industry-wide event aimed at transforming London into a global hub for payment technologies. The initiative goes beyond the traditional conference format, offering a week-long showcase of innovation, infrastructure, and regulatory policy to establish the payments sector as a distinct and critically important industry.
The association has released the Payments Week schedule, running Monday through Friday, designed to engage all segments of the ecosystem:
Monday and Tuesday are dedicated to strategic issues and policy. The week will begin with sessions by analytical and working groups that will address key industry challenges, including the fight against financial crime—which costs the United Kingdom approximately 38 billion pounds annually— as well as the regulation of digital currencies and the development of agency commerce. Monday will also feature an official opening ceremony for 200 invited experts, government officials, and members of the press.
Wednesday and Thursday are set aside for a large-scale exhibition. The Pay360 exhibition at the Excel London complex will remain the centerpiece of the week. In 2027, the Merchant Transact 360 event will merge with the Retail Technology Show, which is expected to attract over 15,000 visitors, including 3,000 retail professionals. To foster a sense of community within the exhibition center, a special networking zone called Payments Social will also be opened.
Friday will be a day for innovation and wrapping up the week. The week will conclude in a more informal atmosphere with partner events such as runs, yoga classes, or golf tournaments to strengthen business connections. The official closing ceremony will provide an opportunity to take stock and begin preparing the roadmap for 2028.
Elite Networking and Expert Dialogue Throughout the week, high-level engagement will remain a priority. This will include a meeting of the Global Leaders Council, where 50 top executives and officials will discuss international challenges under Chatham House rules. In addition, the TPA VIP dinner will bring together 80 of the most influential founders and company leaders to align their vision for the future of the financial sector.
Industry development: The Payments Association, which unites 260 members and a network of 18,000 professionals, positions Payments Week as a defining annual event. Through a combination of various formats—from executive breakfasts to analytical reports in Payments Intelligence—the organization aims to create lasting value for the market. The event at Somerset House marked the first step in the consultation phase, during which the association is calling on members and partners to help shape the final format of the inaugural Payments Week.
