Informa Buys Clarion for $2.97 Billion, Adding ICE Barcelona
United Kingdom.- 8 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Informa has agreed to acquire Clarion Events from Blackstone for £2.24 billion, approximately $2.97 billion, in a transaction that adds some of the world’s leading B2B event brands to its portfolio.
The assets include ICE Barcelona and iGB L!VE, two of the gaming industry’s most important international events.
More Than 100 B2B Brands
Clarion will bring more than 100 specialist brands into the Informa portfolio.
The business includes eight “marquee” brands generating more than $30 million in revenue and a further eight “power brands” generating between $10 million and $30 million.
Gaming Becomes a Strategic Category
The acquisition gives Informa immediate large-scale exposure to the gaming sector.
ICE Barcelona and iGB L!VE will join a global B2B platform already spanning technology, energy and several other specialist markets.
ICE Barcelona Included
ICE Barcelona, one of the world’s largest gaming-industry exhibitions, is a central asset within the transaction.
Its addition gives Informa immediate access to a large international network of operators, suppliers, regulators and industry executives.
iGB L!VE Also Included
The deal also includes iGB L!VE and Clarion’s wider portfolio of brands serving the iGaming ecosystem.
This strengthens Informa’s position across both live events and professional gaming-industry communities.
£2.24 Billion Valuation
Clarion has been valued at an enterprise value of £2.24 billion, including certain tax benefits.
That represents approximately 11.1 times expected 2027 EBITDA before synergies.
Acquisition Funding
Informa will fund the transaction through a combination of:
- Committed acquisition financing.
- Approximately £940 million raised through an equity placing.
- An additional retail shareholder offer.
Clarion to Continue Operating
Following completion, Clarion will initially continue operating as a business within Informa.
The first three to six months will focus on maintaining delivery against existing 2027 plans and budgets while minimising disruption during integration.
Lisa Hannant Remains CEO
Lisa Hannant will remain Chief Executive of Clarion following completion.
She will also join Informa’s Executive Leadership Team, providing management continuity throughout the transition.
Completion Expected by Year-End
The transaction is expected to complete towards the end of the fourth quarter of 2026.
Closing remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary transaction conditions.
Blackstone Exits After Nine Years
Blackstone acquired Clarion in 2017.
The private equity firm reportedly paid around £600 million at the time.
The latest valuation therefore represents a substantial increase in the company’s value during Blackstone’s ownership.
Informa Strengthens B2B Events Focus
The acquisition forms part of a broader strategy to focus Informa more heavily on its B2B operations.
The company has simultaneously announced plans to separate Taylor & Francis, its Academic Markets business.
More Than $6 Billion in Group Revenue
Informa expects the combined group to generate more than $6 billion in annual revenue.
Following the addition of Clarion, it will operate more than 1,000 specialist brands across more than 30 geographic markets.
Next Steps or Impact
The transaction changes the corporate ownership behind some of the gaming industry’s largest global events.
For ICE Barcelona and iGB L!VE, integration with Informa provides access to a larger international platform spanning live events, data and specialist B2B communities.
The immediate focus will be on completing the transaction, maintaining continuity through 2027 and then beginning to capture commercial synergies across the enlarged group.
Editó: @fonta
