From May 5–8, 2025, Tampa, Florida, will once again host SOF Week, the premier annual event for the international Special Operations Forces (SOF) community. Jointly sponsored by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Global SOF Foundation, this event serves as a critical platform for fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence in modern special operations.
Building on the success of the 2024 edition, which attracted over 19,000 attendees, SOF Week 2025 is expected to surpass this milestone, drawing more SOF professionals, industry leaders, and government stakeholders from around the world.
Expansive Programming and Exhibitions
SOF Week 2025 will feature a comprehensive multi-building exhibition, categorized by focus areas such as SOF Warrior, Special Air Warfare, Maritime, Information Systems, and Human Performance and Wellness. Outdoor demonstrations will showcase cutting-edge SOF technologies and equipment in action.
The event offers a diverse range of sessions, including senior keynote addresses, professional development seminars, industry matchmaking opportunities, and content highlighting non-profit contributions to the SOF community.
Networking and Recognition
Networking opportunities abound, beginning with the SOF Week Welcome Reception on Monday. Attendees can connect, share knowledge, and build partnerships throughout the week.
A highlight of the week is the USSOCOM Annual Awards Ceremony, which honors outstanding contributions to the SOF community and celebrates its achievements.
Educational Opportunities
SOF Week 2025 isn’t just the biggest global gathering of the special operations community—it’s also one of the most valuable platforms for professional development, learning, and collaboration you’ll find all year. Whether you’re an operator, policymaker, industry partner, or academic, the event offers a wealth of educational opportunities to keep pace with today’s evolving SOF landscape.
At the heart of the programming is a comprehensive conference agenda packed with high-level presentations and panel discussions. Senior leaders from across the global SOF network will weigh in on pressing issues like force modernization, technological innovation, international partnerships, and the changing strategies shaping today’s missions. These sessions don’t just provide information—they offer insight from those charting the course for tomorrow’s special operations forces.
Live demonstrations throughout the week bring the classroom to the field. Attendees will see cutting-edge tech in action, including amphibious platforms, tactical breaching tools, medical innovations, unmanned systems, and advanced intelligence solutions. It’s a hands-on, boots-on-the-ground learning experience that captures the pace and complexity of real-world SOF environments.
SOF Week also includes a series of executive briefings—specialized, deep-dive sessions designed for focused learning. One standout is titled “Empowering the Warfighter: Advancing OSINT Capabilities,” which looks at how open-source intelligence, artificial intelligence, and automation are transforming SOF mission planning and execution.
Structured matchmaking events are another major feature, providing a unique opportunity to connect with key industry players, defense leaders, and innovators. These sessions are all about solving real problems through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
A cornerstone of the innovation track at SOF Week is the involvement of SOFWERX, a longtime force multiplier for defense ingenuity. Through interactive sessions and facility tours, SOFWERX opens the door to a more creative, collaborative approach to capability development—encouraging new thinking around old and emerging challenges.
Attendees can also expect to engage directly with subject matter experts from leading companies, like Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), to explore specialized capabilities across air, land, and sea domains. These one-on-one interactions offer the kind of technical depth that’s tough to find anywhere else.
Beyond the formal schedule, SOF Week offers several supplementary events—from documentary screenings to benefit concerts—that create informal settings for learning, conversation, and connection. And for first-timers, a dedicated mobile app and on-site guides are available to help navigate sessions and make the most of the experience.
Bottom line: SOF Week 2025 isn’t just about who’s attending or what’s on display—it’s about the opportunity to learn, grow, and help shape the future of special operations. Whether you’re looking to gain insights, discover tech, or connect with key players, SOF Week delivers. And SOFREP will be there to bring you the inside story every step of the way.
SOFREP’s Involvement
As a proud media partner, SOFREP will be in attendance at SOF Week 2025. Our team is committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the event, including insights into the latest advancements in special operations capabilities, tactics, and technology. Stay tuned for in-depth reports and analyses from our correspondents on the ground.
If you happen to see one of us at the event, feel free to stop by and say “hi”. We’d be more than happy to meet you.
#SOFWeek is coming to Tampa May 5 – 8.
SOF Week 2025 is the premier global gathering of special operations, industry leaders and strategic partners. Attendees can connect on modernization of warfighter’s tech capabilities and tactical readiness, enhancing joint force lethality. pic.twitter.com/kBbkG417sm
— USSOCOM (@USSOCOM) March 31, 2025
Logistics and Venue
SOF Week 2025 will take place at the Tampa Convention Center, located at 141 E Brorein St, Tampa, FL 33602. The event campus extends to several nearby venues, including the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and the Westin Tampa Waterside, accommodating various exhibitions and sessions.
For attendees traveling from out of town, it’s recommended to fly into Tampa International Airport (TPA), situated approximately 10 miles from the SOF Week campus.
SOF Week 2025 promises to be an essential event for military engineers, defense contractors, policymakers, and all stakeholders in the special operations community. Join us in Tampa to engage with the forefront of special operations innovation and collaboration.
Hope to see you there!