ICE and iGB Affiliate Generate €255 Million for Catalonia
Spain.- 18 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona increased their economic contribution to Barcelona and Catalonia to €255 million in 2026, according to an independent Economic Impact Study conducted by Equimore.
The figure includes direct, indirect, induced and fiscal contributions and represents a 34% increase from the €191 million recorded in 2025.
€64 Million Increase in One Year
The events’ second year in Barcelona added approximately €64 million in economic impact compared with the previous edition.
The result further increases the importance of both exhibitions within the Catalan capital’s international business-events calendar.
More Than 7,000 Jobs Supported
The study estimates that ICE and iGB Affiliate supported 7,087 direct and indirect jobs.
Economic activity extended well beyond the exhibition venue to hotels, food and beverage, transport, retail, leisure, event production and other local suppliers.
€129 Million From Visitor Spending
Visitor expenditure was the largest individual channel identified by Equimore.
Attendees generated approximately €129 million in direct and indirect output.
Beneficiaries included:
- Hotels.
- Restaurants and bars.
- Transport providers.
- Retail businesses.
- Leisure activities.
€86 Million From Exhibitors and Sponsors
Exhibitors and sponsors generated a further €86 million for the Catalan economy.
That activity included expenditure on:
- Stand construction.
- Marketing.
- Hospitality.
- Professional services.
- Event production.
- Local suppliers.
Record 62,988 Visitors
World Gaming Week 2026 attracted 62,988 unique visitors from 162 countries.
The figure set a new industry record and represented an increase from the 59,939 attendees recorded in 2025.
More Than 53,000 International Visitors
Of the total attendance, 53,924 people travelled to Barcelona from outside Spain.
That strong international component is a major contributor to the event’s economic value.
Visitors stayed for an average of 2.7 nights.
734 Exhibitors
The 2026 edition brought together 734 exhibitors, further increasing the commercial activity generated around Fira Gran Via.
International exhibitions require significant expenditure on infrastructure, logistics, staffing, accommodation and related services.
Impact During Barcelona’s Low Season
The timing of the events is another important factor.
ICE and iGB Affiliate take place in January, during a traditionally quieter period for Barcelona’s tourism economy.
Organisers argue that this means much of the expenditure is incremental rather than simply displacing visitors who would otherwise have travelled during peak season.
Hotels and Restaurants Benefit
The influx of international gaming professionals increased demand for hotel rooms and hospitality during World Gaming Week.
Average visitor stays also extend the economic effect beyond the exhibition halls themselves.
Second Barcelona Edition
ICE and iGB Affiliate moved from London to Barcelona in 2025.
Their first Catalan edition generated €191 million in economic impact and approximately 121,000 overnight stays.
The 2026 events significantly increased that contribution.
Larger Footprint at Fira Gran Via
Physical expansion also continued.
ICE and iGB Affiliate 2026 occupied approximately 143,000 square metres, compared with around 120,000 square metres a year earlier.
The additional space enabled the organisers to accommodate more brands, exhibitors and event areas.
Barcelona as a Global Gaming Hub
The combination of international attendance, commercial scale and associated expenditure is strengthening Barcelona’s position as one of the gaming industry’s leading annual meeting points.
The move has also deepened the events’ relationship with local businesses, suppliers and institutions.
Industry Context
Major B2B exhibitions generate economic activity well beyond the transactions taking place inside the venue.
Travel, accommodation, hospitality, stand production, logistics and local procurement turn large international events into temporary economic engines for host cities.
The particularly high percentage of international attendees at ICE and iGB Affiliate increases that effect.
Next Steps and Impact
The 34% year-on-year increase establishes a new benchmark for the events’ economic contribution to Catalonia.
With €255 million in impact, 7,087 direct and indirect jobs supported and almost 63,000 professionals attending, the 2026 edition further consolidates the Barcelona relocation.
ICE and iGB Affiliate will return to Fira Gran Via in January 2027, with the challenge of sustaining growth in attendance, exhibition scale and local economic activity.
Editó: @fonta
