ICE Barcelona 2026 Opens World Gaming Week

Barcelona has once again become the center of the global gaming industry. As doors opened Monday at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, ICE Barcelona 2026 began a week that blends business, regulation, and technology at a scale few industry events ever reach.

Good to Know

• ICE Barcelona 2026 runs January 19 to 21 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via
• World Gaming Week activities span six days across the city
• Organisers expect more than 65,000 delegates from over 180 countries

Momentum around ICE continues to build as the event anchors a broader week of meetings, forums, and deal making that extend far beyond the exhibition halls.

ICE Barcelona 2026 Opens World Gaming Week in Spain

ICE Barcelona 2026 officially opened on Monday, launching World Gaming Week and placing Spain at the heart of global gaming discussions. The three day exhibition sits within a six day programme that runs from January 18 to 23, filling Barcelona with networking events, leadership forums, and private industry meetings.

Clarion Gaming, the organiser behind ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona, expects more than 65,000 delegates to attend from over 180 countries. Suppliers, operators, regulators, policymakers, and technology providers are set to engage in what Clarion projects as more than 1.25 million scheduled and spontaneous business meetings.

Stuart Hunter, Managing Director of Clarion Gaming, said:

“Bringing together a projected 65,000-plus delegates from more than 180 countries, there is absolutely no doubt that this is the most important week in the gaming calendar.”

Record Scale Across Exhibitors and Product Launches

ICE Barcelona 2026 features more than 750 exhibitors across every regulated gaming vertical. Clarion projects that around 25,000 products and services will be showcased during the event, many timed specifically to align with ICE as a primary launch window.

Hunter said exhibitors continue to plan research and development cycles around the show:

“We understand how exhibitors plan their innovation pipelines around ICE. That’s why the show continues to be the primary launch platform for new technologies transforming how the industry operates and engages players.”

Building on a Strong First Year in Barcelona

The 2026 edition builds on momentum generated during the first year of ICE in Barcelona. In 2025, ICE and iGB Affiliate attracted a combined 59,101 unique attendees, surpassing the attendance record set during the final London edition in 2024.

ICE recorded 50,019 unique visitors in 2025, reflecting an 11 percent year over year increase. iGB Affiliate welcomed 9,082 attendees, a 24 percent rise. Total footfall across the venue reached 107,664 person days.

For 2026, Clarion introduced operational updates based on exhibitor and visitor feedback. Adjustments include revised opening hours, added information points, dedicated meeting and charging areas, and a Good Neighbours Charter designed to reduce friction on the show floor.

Regulation and Illegal Gambling Move to the Forefront

Regulatory discussion plays a central role at ICE Barcelona 2026. Clarion expects around 400 regulators to attend, an increase from more than 300 in 2025. The expanded Regulatory Programme reflects growing concern over illegal gambling and its financial and social impact.

ICE Portfolio Director Margaret Dunn highlighted the focus on coordinated enforcement. She said:

“All of the conversations we have with international stakeholders confirm the importance they attach to tackling the illegal market.”

The programme includes closed door sessions, working lunches, regulator access passes, and events such as the ICE World Gaming Gala. A newly formed Regulatory Advisory Board supports the initiative.

World Gaming Forum Opens With Leadership Focus

Strategic discussion begins with the ICE World Gaming Forum, widely regarded as a top leadership platform in the gaming sector. The opening keynote comes from Soo Kim, Chairman of Bally Corporation, who is set to discuss an always on approach to integrating digital and land based gaming operations.

Damien Ashton-Wellman, Conference Manager and Head of Content for ICE Barcelona, said:

“Soo Kim participation reflects the Forum growing reputation as the industry single most influential strategic platform.”

The Forum agenda covers illegal gambling, land based growth in Europe, sports betting collaboration, iGaming personalisation, lottery development, and cybersecurity risk.

Innovation Takes Center Stage on the Show Floor

Technology driven content features prominently at the Enterprise Stage in Hall 5, which serves as the primary show floor content hub. Sessions focus on artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, fintech, and responsible play, with participation from Microsoft, AWS, Huawei, and other technology leaders.

On January 20, the Enterprise Stage hosts the Innovator Challenge final, delivered in partnership with Microsoft. The initiative marks the first direct collaboration of its kind between a global technology company and the gaming industry.

Early stage companies also receive support through Pitch ICE. Applications for the 2026 edition rose by 200 percent, with 12 startups from nine countries selected to present. The winning company receives AWS credits valued at 15,000 euros along with the Pitch ICE 2026 Trophy.

Barcelona Role as a Global Gaming Connector

Barcelona continues to strengthen ICE position as a bridge between Europe, North America, and Latin America. In 2025, attendees traveled from 186 countries, with 83 percent coming from outside Spain. Spanish attendance increased by more than 600 percent year over year, while Italy recorded a 55 percent rise.

For 2026, Clarion expanded regional initiatives tied to Latin America, including partnerships with ANJL in Brazil, the launch of Academia America Latina, and collaboration with CIBELAE and Italian industry bodies.

Hunter said collaboration remains central to ICE strategy:

“He said: Every big decision ICE has made has been taken in partnership with the industry.”

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