Informa Buys Clarion For £2.24 Billion In Deal Covering ICE And iGB L!VE

Informa has agreed to buy Clarion Events from Blackstone for £2.24 billion, bringing ICE, iGB L!VE and the wider World Gaming portfolio under one of the largest B2B events groups in the world.

The deal is expected to close late in Q4 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Clarion is forecast to generate more than £575 million in revenue during 2027. The deal was anticipated for more than a year when rumors surfaced that Blackstone was looking to sell the buisiness.

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Good to Know

• Informa will pay £2.24 billion for Clarion Events.
• The acquisition includes ICE, iGB L!VE and more than 100 other B2B event brands.
• Informa will also separate Taylor & Francis as it concentrates on live events and other B2B markets.

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ICE And iGB L!VE Join Informa Portfolio

Gaming represents one of the main areas where Clarion gives Informa immediate scale.

World Gaming, previously known as Clarion Gaming, operates ICE and iGB L!VE alongside other gambling industry events and digital products. ICE now takes place in Barcelona, while iGB L!VE will return to London on July 7 and 8, 2027.

Informa specifically identified gaming alongside electronics and defence and security as three high growth categories added through the acquisition. The combined B2B live events operation is expected to generate more than £4.2 billion in annual revenue across roughly 1,000 specialist brands in more than 30 countries.

Informa CEO Stephen Carter said:

“The addition of the Clarion company will give further oxygen and capability to our existing portfolio.”

The deal also gives World Gaming access to a much larger international events network, digital infrastructure and customer database.

Alex Pratt, Managing Director of World Gaming, said the Informa platform would provide additional data, digital capabilities and international reach for the gaming events business.

Blackstone has owned Clarion since acquiring the company from Providence Equity Partners in 2017. The private equity group retained Clarion through the Covid period, when restrictions heavily affected the global live events industry.

Informa Targets £75 Million From Combined Business

Informa expects around £50 million in annual operating savings by 2029 through procurement, shared services, event delivery and removing duplicated corporate costs.

The group is also targeting another £25 million in annual operating profit from new revenue. Expansion into markets where Clarion currently has a smaller presence, particularly the Middle East, forms part of that plan.

The £2.24 billion valuation equals 11.1 times expected Clarion EBITDA for 2027 before those savings. Informa estimates the multiple falls to around nine times after planned cost savings and about eight times when targeted revenue benefits are included.

Around £940 million will come from a new equity placing and retail offer, with acquisition financing covering the remaining funding requirement. Informa will also pause its share buyback program.

Clarion CEO Lisa Hannant will remain in charge of the business and join the Informa executive leadership team after completion.

Alongside the acquisition, Informa has started a process to separate Taylor & Francis. The academic publishing business is approaching $1 billion in annual revenue, while Informa plans to concentrate the remaining group more heavily on B2B markets and live events.

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FAQ

How much is Informa paying for Clarion Events?

Informa agreed an enterprise value of £2.24 billion, equal to 11.1 times expected Clarion EBITDA for 2027.

Does the Informa deal include ICE?

Yes. ICE forms part of World Gaming and is included in the Clarion acquisition.

Is iGB L!VE included in the acquisition?

Yes. iGB L!VE is another World Gaming event included in the Clarion portfolio.

When will Informa complete the Clarion acquisition?

Informa expects completion toward the end of Q4 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

What will happen to Taylor & Francis?

Informa has started a separate process for the academic publishing business as the group concentrates more heavily on B2B operations. An update is expected with 2026 full year results in March 2027.

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