Society of Biblical Literature 2026
Event Date
November 21–24, 2026
Location
Denver, CO
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe SBL Annual Meeting is the flagship gathering of the Society of Biblical Literature, the oldest and largest learned society devoted to the critical study of the Bible. Held jointly with the American Academy of Religion (AAR), the meeting focuses on biblical scholarship and research, religious studies, and theology, drawing professors and students, authors and publishers, religious leaders, and interested laypersons from around the world.
Attendees gain access to more than 900 academic sessions and workshops spanning a vast range of disciplines, from textual criticism and archaeology to history, literature, and theology. The Exhibit Hall features one of the world's largest collections of books and digital resources for biblical study, alongside a vibrant networking space where scholars connect with publishers, browse the latest publications, and meet colleagues.
The event is worth attending for anyone engaged in the academic study of the Bible and religion. It combines an unrivaled scholarly program, career services, and one of the field's most important marketplaces of books and ideas, making it the premier professional gathering in biblical studies and a key annual meeting point for the global scholarly community.
Show Highlights
- 900+ academic sessions and workshops covering biblical scholarship, religious studies, and theology.
- Co-hosted with the American Academy of Religion (AAR), uniting two major scholarly communities in one event.
- A major Exhibit Hall showcasing one of the world's largest collections of books and digital resources for biblical study.
- A networking space where attendees present ideas to publishers, browse new publications, and connect with colleagues.
- Presidential Address delivered to the assembled membership, a longstanding tradition at the Annual Meeting.
- Career services and job-search resources for scholars and students in the field.
Attendance
The SBL Annual Meeting now draws over 7,000 participants to its North American gathering. The Society itself is international in scope; membership has been reported at over 8,300 individuals from more than 100 countries, reflecting the global reach of the meeting's audience of scholars, students, religious leaders, and interested members of the public.
Registration
Registration for the 2026 SBL Annual Meeting is handled online through the official 2026 Annual Meeting website. Key steps and notes:
- Members: Log in with your SBL account to access discounted member registration rates.
- Non-Members: Register directly at the non-member rate, or join SBL to become eligible for the discounted member rate.
- Affiliate Members: Members of qualifying affiliate organizations receive registration discounts.
Registration requires your SBL member number (if applicable), contact and emergency contact information, arrival and departure dates for hotel accommodations, and a credit card to register and guarantee your hotel reservation. Full registration rates, housing information, and airline discounts are listed on the official 2026 Annual Meeting website.
History
The Society of Biblical Literature was founded in 1880 in New York City as the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis, making it the oldest and largest learned society devoted to the critical investigation of the Bible from a variety of academic disciplines. Its first annual meeting in June 1880 drew just eighteen people, who drew up a constitution and by-laws and discussed several papers; membership grew to forty-five by year's end.
Since then, the Society has grown into an international organization with over 8,300 members from more than 100 countries. The Annual Meeting has become the premier professional gathering in biblical studies, now drawing over 7,000 participants, and is co-hosted with the American Academy of Religion. A longstanding tradition, the Presidential Address, has been delivered to the assembled membership at each Annual Meeting and, since 1895, published in the following year's Journal of Biblical Literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 SBL Annual Meeting?
The 2026 SBL Annual Meeting takes place November 21–24, 2026, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.
Who should attend the SBL Annual Meeting?
The meeting brings together professors and students, authors and publishers, religious leaders, and interested laypersons focused on biblical scholarship, religious studies, and theology. It is co-hosted by the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion.
How do I register for the Annual Meeting?
Register online through the official 2026 Annual Meeting website. SBL members can log in for discounted member rates, non-members can register at the standard rate or join SBL to qualify for discounts, and affiliate organization members receive discounts.
What can I expect at the meeting?
Attendees have access to more than 900 academic sessions and workshops, plus a large Exhibit Hall featuring one of the world's largest collections of books and digital resources for biblical study and a networking space to connect with publishers and colleagues.
What are the transportation and hotel options near the venue?
Denver International Airport is about 25 miles away, and RTD light rail serves the venue at the Theatre District–Convention Center station. Hundreds of hotels are within about a mile, including the Hyatt Regency Denver and Embassy Suites Downtown directly across from the center, with discounted housing offered through the official meeting website.
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