diff --git a/backend/api/conferences/tests/test_query_talk.py b/backend/api/conferences/tests/test_query_talk.py
index 2c36e9924b..9bbcbeb95a 100644
--- a/backend/api/conferences/tests/test_query_talk.py
+++ b/backend/api/conferences/tests/test_query_talk.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def simple_schedule_item():
     return ScheduleItemFactory(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         attendees_total_capacity=None,
         slot=SlotFactory(
diff --git a/backend/api/conferences/types.py b/backend/api/conferences/types.py
index 8acd4f69d7..61266e35b2 100644
--- a/backend/api/conferences/types.py
+++ b/backend/api/conferences/types.py
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 from cms import models as cms_models
 from conferences import models as conference_models
 from conferences.models import deadline as deadline_models
-from schedule import models as schedule_models
 from submissions import models as submission_models
 from voting import models as voting_models
 
@@ -263,9 +262,9 @@ def keynote(self, info: Info, slug: str) -> Keynote | None:
 
     @strawberry_django.field
     def talks(self) -> list[ScheduleItem]:
-        return self.schedule_items.filter(
-            type=schedule_models.ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission
-        )
+        # this used to filter on the `submission` schedule item type, which was
+        # migrated away in schedule/migrations/0041 and no longer exists
+        return self.schedule_items.none()
 
     @strawberry_django.field
     def talk(self, info: Info, slug: str) -> ScheduleItem | None:
diff --git a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_book_spot_schedule_item.py b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_book_spot_schedule_item.py
index 982a4be1a3..e5f59a05d7 100644
--- a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_book_spot_schedule_item.py
+++ b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_book_spot_schedule_item.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ def simple_schedule_item():
     return ScheduleItemFactory(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         attendees_total_capacity=30,
         slot=SlotFactory(
diff --git a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_cancel_booking_schedule_item.py b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_cancel_booking_schedule_item.py
index 184a315c98..7f48d41beb 100644
--- a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_cancel_booking_schedule_item.py
+++ b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_cancel_booking_schedule_item.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def simple_schedule_item():
     return ScheduleItemFactory(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         attendees_total_capacity=30,
         slot=SlotFactory(
diff --git a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_schedule_invitation.py b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_schedule_invitation.py
index af316a77fd..dd84f65930 100644
--- a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_schedule_invitation.py
+++ b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_schedule_invitation.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def test_fetch_an_invitation(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         speaker_invitation_notes="notes",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def test_random_user_cannot_fetch_the_invite(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         speaker_invitation_notes="notes",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def test_staff_can_fetch_the_invite(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         speaker_invitation_notes="notes",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ def test_requires_authentication(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         speaker_invitation_notes="notes",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(
diff --git a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_schedule_invitation_frontend_query.py b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_schedule_invitation_frontend_query.py
index edd58fd3e3..fe7664e95f 100644
--- a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_schedule_invitation_frontend_query.py
+++ b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_schedule_invitation_frontend_query.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def test_schedule_invitation_frontend_query(
         status=models.ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         submission=submission,
         title="Schedule title",
-        type=models.ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=models.ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(conference=conference, day=date(2026, 5, 21)),
             duration=30,
diff --git a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_star_schedule_item.py b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_star_schedule_item.py
index 5e54cd57e7..9470ad48d6 100644
--- a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_star_schedule_item.py
+++ b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_star_schedule_item.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def test_star_schedule_item(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         speaker_invitation_notes="notes",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ def test_unstar_schedule_item(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         speaker_invitation_notes="notes",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(
diff --git a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_update_schedule_invitation.py b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_update_schedule_invitation.py
index 3095a5c7d9..af1982ba0e 100644
--- a/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_update_schedule_invitation.py
+++ b/backend/api/schedule/tests/test_update_schedule_invitation.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def test_update_invitation_answer(
 
     schedule_item = ScheduleItemFactory(
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(conference=submission.conference), hour="10:00", duration=30
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ def test_saving_the_same_answer_does_not_trigger_event(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         speaker_invitation_notes="notes",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(conference=submission.conference), hour="10:00", duration=30
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ def test_changing_notes_triggers_a_new_event(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         speaker_invitation_notes="notes",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(conference=submission.conference), hour="10:00", duration=30
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ def test_random_user_cannot_update_an_invitation(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.waiting_confirmation,
         speaker_invitation_notes="",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(conference=submission.conference), hour="10:00", duration=30
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ def test_requires_authentication(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.waiting_confirmation,
         speaker_invitation_notes="",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(conference=submission.conference), hour="10:00", duration=30
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ def test_staff_can_update_invitation_answer(
 
     schedule_item = ScheduleItemFactory(
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(conference=submission.conference), hour="10:00", duration=30
diff --git a/backend/api/submissions/tests/test_submission_permissions.py b/backend/api/submissions/tests/test_submission_permissions.py
index 4c5b191d33..3fc6787edf 100644
--- a/backend/api/submissions/tests/test_submission_permissions.py
+++ b/backend/api/submissions/tests/test_submission_permissions.py
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def test_accepted_submission_user_can_see_public_and_restricted_fields(
     ScheduleItemFactory(
         submission=submission,
         conference=submission.conference,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
     )
 
     data = _query(graphql_client, submission)
diff --git a/backend/api/tests/schema/conference/test_talk.py b/backend/api/tests/schema/conference/test_talk.py
index dabe4e2a59..23845d89c9 100644
--- a/backend/api/tests/schema/conference/test_talk.py
+++ b/backend/api/tests/schema/conference/test_talk.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def test_get_talk_not_found(graphql_client):
 def test_get_talk_by_slug(graphql_client):
     conference = ConferenceFactory()
 
-    ScheduleItemFactory(conference=conference, type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission)
+    ScheduleItemFactory(conference=conference, type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk)
     keynote = ScheduleItemFactory(
         conference=conference, type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.keynote
     )
diff --git a/backend/api/tests/schema/conference/test_talks.py b/backend/api/tests/schema/conference/test_talks.py
index f3cc9eed6d..cd6f219c89 100644
--- a/backend/api/tests/schema/conference/test_talks.py
+++ b/backend/api/tests/schema/conference/test_talks.py
@@ -6,11 +6,9 @@
 
 
 @mark.django_db
-def test_get_all_talks(graphql_client):
+def test_get_all_talks_is_always_empty(graphql_client):
     conference = ConferenceFactory()
-    item = ScheduleItemFactory(
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission, conference=conference
-    )
+    ScheduleItemFactory(type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk, conference=conference)
 
     resp = graphql_client.query(
         """
@@ -26,20 +24,18 @@ def test_get_all_talks(graphql_client):
     )
 
     assert "errors" not in resp
-    assert resp["data"]["conference"]["talks"] == [{"title": item.title}]
+    assert resp["data"]["conference"]["talks"] == []
 
 
 @mark.django_db
-def test_frontend_talks_query_uses_two_queries(
+def test_frontend_talks_query_only_looks_up_the_conference(
     graphql_client, django_assert_num_queries
 ):
     conference = ConferenceFactory()
-    item = ScheduleItemFactory(
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
-        conference=conference,
-    )
+    ScheduleItemFactory(type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk, conference=conference)
 
-    with django_assert_num_queries(2):
+    # talks resolves to an empty queryset, so it never hits the database
+    with django_assert_num_queries(1):
         resp = graphql_client.query(
             """
             query AllTalks($code: String!) {
@@ -56,6 +52,4 @@ def test_frontend_talks_query_uses_two_queries(
         )
 
     assert "errors" not in resp
-    assert resp["data"]["conference"]["talks"] == [
-        {"id": str(item.id), "slug": item.slug}
-    ]
+    assert resp["data"]["conference"]["talks"] == []
diff --git a/backend/api/users/tests/test_stars.py b/backend/api/users/tests/test_stars.py
index bd4398469d..80d7942cac 100644
--- a/backend/api/users/tests/test_stars.py
+++ b/backend/api/users/tests/test_stars.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def test_get_starred_schedule_items(
         status=ScheduleItem.STATUS.confirmed,
         speaker_invitation_notes="notes",
         submission=submission,
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         conference=submission.conference,
         slot=SlotFactory(
             day=DayFactory(
diff --git a/backend/conferences/admin/conference.py b/backend/conferences/admin/conference.py
index c781183930..4761ee4f6e 100644
--- a/backend/conferences/admin/conference.py
+++ b/backend/conferences/admin/conference.py
@@ -329,7 +329,6 @@ def run_video_uploaded_path_matcher(self, request, object_id, ignore_cache):
         talk_days = (
             conference.days.filter(
                 slots__items__type__in=[
-                    ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
                     ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
                     ScheduleItem.TYPES.keynote,
                     ScheduleItem.TYPES.panel,
diff --git a/backend/conferences/tests/test_frontend.py b/backend/conferences/tests/test_frontend.py
index eeb767c612..70008f5464 100644
--- a/backend/conferences/tests/test_frontend.py
+++ b/backend/conferences/tests/test_frontend.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def test_get_paths_for_keynote():
 def test_get_paths_for_event():
     event = ScheduleItemFactory(
         slug="event-1",
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
     )
 
     assert get_paths(event) == [
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def test_trigger_frontend_revalidate(mocker):
 
     object = ScheduleItemFactory(
         slug="event-1",
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
     )
 
     trigger_frontend_revalidate(conference, object)
diff --git a/backend/schedule/admin.py b/backend/schedule/admin.py
index 0e288e1cf3..5e746f31cb 100644
--- a/backend/schedule/admin.py
+++ b/backend/schedule/admin.py
@@ -176,7 +176,6 @@ def _send_invitations(
         submission__isnull=False,
         type__in=[
             ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
-            ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
             ScheduleItem.TYPES.training,
         ],
     )
diff --git a/backend/schedule/migrations/0059_alter_scheduleitem_type.py b/backend/schedule/migrations/0059_alter_scheduleitem_type.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f4f0c7d65d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/schedule/migrations/0059_alter_scheduleitem_type.py
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# Generated by Django 5.2.8 on 2026-08-16 11:53
+
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ('schedule', '0058_scheduleitemsentforvideoupload_emails_scheduled'),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.AlterField(
+            model_name='scheduleitem',
+            name='type',
+            field=models.CharField(choices=[('talk', 'Talk'), ('training', 'Training'), ('keynote', 'Keynote'), ('panel', 'Panel'), ('registration', 'Registration'), ('announcements', 'Announcements'), ('recruiting', 'Recruiting'), ('break', 'Break'), ('social', 'Social'), ('custom', 'Custom')], max_length=100, verbose_name='type'),
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/backend/schedule/models.py b/backend/schedule/models.py
index fd2aaf3d8b..73ddba3487 100644
--- a/backend/schedule/models.py
+++ b/backend/schedule/models.py
@@ -180,7 +180,6 @@ class ScheduleItemQuerySet(QuerySet, ConferenceQuerySetMixin):
 
 class ScheduleItem(TimeStampedModel):
     TYPES = Choices(
-        ("submission", _("Submission")),
         ("talk", _("Talk")),
         ("training", _("Training")),
         ("keynote", _("Keynote")),
@@ -365,16 +364,6 @@ def speakers(self) -> list["User"]:
         )
 
     def clean(self):
-        if self.type == ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission and not self.submission:
-            raise exceptions.ValidationError(
-                {
-                    "submission": _(
-                        "You have to specify a submission when "
-                        "using the type `submission`"
-                    )
-                }
-            )
-
         if self.type == ScheduleItem.TYPES.custom and not self.title:
             raise exceptions.ValidationError(
                 {"title": _("You have to specify a title when using the type `custom`")}
diff --git a/backend/schedule/tests/factories.py b/backend/schedule/tests/factories.py
index 81f74ec7ab..cf9a5e0e32 100644
--- a/backend/schedule/tests/factories.py
+++ b/backend/schedule/tests/factories.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ class ScheduleItemFactory(DjangoModelFactory):
     title = factory.Faker("text", max_nb_chars=100)
     slug = factory.Faker("slug")
     description = factory.Faker("text")
-    type = factory.fuzzy.FuzzyChoice(["submission", "custom"])
+    type = factory.fuzzy.FuzzyChoice(["talk", "custom"])
     image = factory.django.ImageField()
 
     @classmethod
diff --git a/backend/schedule/tests/test_models.py b/backend/schedule/tests/test_models.py
index 8e50a65d03..7856e8cc74 100644
--- a/backend/schedule/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/backend/schedule/tests/test_models.py
@@ -5,20 +5,6 @@
 from schedule.models import ScheduleItem
 
 
-@mark.django_db
-def test_submission_is_required_if_type_is_submission():
-    schedule_item = ScheduleItemFactory(
-        type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission, submission=None, title=""
-    )
-
-    with pytest.raises(exceptions.ValidationError) as e:
-        schedule_item.clean()
-
-    assert "You have to specify a submission when using the type `submission`" in str(
-        e.value
-    )
-
-
 @mark.django_db
 def test_title_cannot_be_blank_if_type_is_custom():
     schedule_item = ScheduleItemFactory(type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.custom, title="")
diff --git a/backend/schedule/tests/test_tasks.py b/backend/schedule/tests/test_tasks.py
index a84bb7c584..aeaa716a65 100644
--- a/backend/schedule/tests/test_tasks.py
+++ b/backend/schedule/tests/test_tasks.py
@@ -707,7 +707,7 @@ def test_upload_schedule_item_video_drafts_one_email_per_speaker(sent_emails):
     speaker = UserFactory(full_name="Marco Acierno", email="marco@placeholder.it")
 
     sent_for_upload = _sent_for_upload_ready_to_notify(
-        schedule_item__type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.submission,
+        schedule_item__type=ScheduleItem.TYPES.talk,
         schedule_item__submission__speaker=speaker,
     )
     ScheduleItemAdditionalSpeakerFactory(