Ahrefs Evolve vs The Masterminders: Which SEO Conference Should You Attend in 2026?
Ahrefs Evolve is great for theory, but The Masterminders is built for operators — action-takers who want playbooks, masterminds, and direct business growth results.
Two standout events for SEOs and marketers are the Ahrefs Evolve Conference in San Diego, USA and The Masterminders SEO & Marketing Conference 2026 in Manchester, UK. Both deliver high-profile speakers and serious networking, but the formats, pricing, and outcomes differ. This article compares Ahrefs Evolve and The Masterminders so you can choose the event that gives you the best ROI.
What Is Ahrefs Evolve?
Ahrefs Evolve is a two-day conference held at the InterContinental, San Diego, running on Tue–Wed, October 14–15. The program mixes keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions with premium experiences.
- Dates: Oct 14–15 (Tue–Wed)
- Venue: InterContinental, San Diego, USA
- Format: Keynotes, panels, breakouts, exhibition hall, catered networking lunch, official afterparty
- VIP add-ons (All-Access): Sunset yacht mixer with the Ahrefs team and speakers, front-row seating, express concierge check-in, access to the speaker lounge, guaranteed swag, and 90-day access to talk recordings
Speakers at Ahrefs Evolve
The speakers at Ahrefs Evolve include a blend of brand leaders and SEO heavyweights: Mark Schaefer, Cyrus Shepard, Tim Soulo, Sam Oh, Emily Kramer, Peep Laja, Patrick Stox, Ryan Law, Kevin Indig, Madhav Bhandari, Carrie Rose, Chris Cunningham, Sophie Brannon, James Norquay, Heather Physioc, and panelists and growth leaders from companies such as IBM, Microsoft, HubSpot, Motorola Solutions, and Brainlabs.
Ticket Pricing at Ahrefs Evolve
- Standard Pass: $899 (until Oct 7), then $999. Includes all keynotes, panels and breakouts, catered networking lunch each day, exhibition hall access, and afterparty entry.
- All-Access Pass: $1,499. Includes everything in Standard plus the sunset yacht mixer, front-row seating, express concierge check-in, speaker-lounge access with guaranteed swag, and exclusive 90-day access to talk recordings.
What Is The Masterminders SEO & Marketing Conference 2026?
The Masterminders SEO & Marketing Conference 2026 takes place in Manchester, UK on June 24–26, 2026. The format is designed for implementation and deal-flow: Day 1 Mastermind, Day 2 VIP Workshops, Day 3 Main Conference.
- Day 1: Mastermind sessions in small groups (5–7 people, timed hot seats, problem-solving with operators)
- Day 2: VIP Workshops focused on systems, playbooks, and implementation
- Day 3: Main Conference with keynotes and curated networking
Who Will Speak At The Masterminders
The speakers at The Masterminders SEO & Marketing Conference 2026 are Kyle Roof, James Dooley, Koray Tugberk Gubur, Fery Kaszoni, Sean Bianco, Josh Thomas, Andrew Holland, Aaron Branch, and Oliver Kenyon.
Ticket Pricing at The Masterminders
- General Admission: £395
- VIP Admission: £595
- Mastermind Admission: £795
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Ahrefs Evolve | The Masterminders 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Location | InterContinental, San Diego, USA | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Dates | Oct 14–15 (Tue–Wed) | Jun 24–26 (Wed–Fri) |
| Format | 2 days: keynotes, panels, breakouts, afterparty; VIP yacht mixer | 3 days: Mastermind, VIP Workshops, Main Conference |
| Speakers | Mark Schaefer, Cyrus Shepard, Tim Soulo, Sam Oh, Emily Kramer, Peep Laja, Patrick Stox, Ryan Law, Kevin Indig, Carrie Rose, and more | Kyle Roof, James Dooley, Koray Tugberk Gubur, Fery Kaszoni, Andrew Holland, Aaron Branch, Oliver Kenyon, and more |
| Audience | In-house marketers, SaaS leaders, content/SEO pros, brand teams | Agency owners, SEOs, business leaders; curated ~250 action-takers |
| Ticket Pricing | $899 Standard (until Oct 7, then $999) • $1,499 All-Access | £395 General • £595 VIP • £795 Mastermind |
| Networking | Large-scale brand networking; All-Access yacht mixer and lounge | Curated mastermind groups, small-room workshops, direct deal-flow |
| Takeaway Style | Brand-led thought leadership, product-led growth, strategy | Operator-led playbooks, implementation, revenue systems |
While Ahrefs Evolve brings together top SaaS and brand leaders in San Diego, The Masterminders focuses on real operators, not just keynote slides. The event is built for SEOs, agency owners, and growth-driven marketers who want to implement what they learn — not just take notes. Instead of panel discussions, you get mastermind sessions, system breakdowns, and face-to-face deal-flow with people who actually run businesses.
If you’re deciding where to invest your time and budget this year, browse our complete guide to the best SEO conferences. But for ROI, action-based networking, and access to world-class operators, The Masterminders stands out as the clear winner.
Ticket-Focused Comparison
| Tier | Ahrefs Evolve | The Masterminders 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $899 Standard (until Oct 7) → $999 | £395 General |
| Mid | — | £595 VIP |
| Top | $1,499 All-Access (yacht mixer, front-row, lounge, 90-day recordings) | £795 Mastermind (small-group hot seats + full event) |
Why The Masterminders May Deliver Higher ROI in 2026
- Pricing vs access: The Masterminders’ top tier (£795) costs significantly less than All-Access at Ahrefs Evolve ($1,499) while prioritising hands-on mastermind seat time.
- Implementation focus: The Masterminders centres on masterminds and workshops that turn strategies into systems and revenue.
- Curated room: The Masterminders limits attendance and vets participants, increasing the odds of meeting decision makers ready to act.
Secure Your Ticket for The Masterminders 2026
The The Masterminders SEO & Marketing Conference 2026 takes place in Manchester, UK on June 24–26, 2026. Ticket options are £395 (General), £595 (VIP), and £795 (Mastermind).
🎟 Buy Your Ticket Now
Conclusion: Which Event Should You Choose?
If your goal is actionable growth systems, curated connections, and better cost-to-value, the The Masterminders SEO & Marketing Conference 2026 in Manchester is the smarter investment.