Barcelona to host ICE, world's largest gaming tech event, from 2025

Barcelona will host ICE, the world's leading game technology event, from 2025 until at least 2029.

The trade show will be moving to Barcelona following 12 years in London after being selected from a shortlist that included the British capital, Paris, and Madrid.

The decision, which was announced in a press release issued by event organizer Clarion Gaming, will also see the company hold the IGB Affiliate digital marketing trade show in the Catalan capital.

"Barcelona's offer stood out for the scale of its world-class facilities, its excellent hotel infrastructure, logistics, return on investment for our customers, and the ability to scale," noted Alex Pratt, CEO of Clarion Gaming.

"We have a great opportunity to create an important legacy for the future," he added.

The first edition of ICE will take place from January 20 to 22, 2025 at Fira Gran Via, the same venue the Mobile World Congress is held in.

Being "the only big event in January" will help ICE "have the exclusive city experience for exhibitors and attendees," the Clarion Gaming statement reads. 

The event could have a positive economic impact on the city, with Clarion Gaming highlighting that some 40,000 hotel reservations have already been made for attendees.