the World Mobile Congress (MWC) will remain in barcelona through at least 2030. officials and organizers of the world’s leading mobile technology expo renewed the agreement in the Catalan capital this week, calling the move historic as it expands a partnership that began in 2006 and has grown into a benchmark event for both parties. the renewal is described as a lasting success story that strengthens the ties between the city and the GSMA, the show’s organizer.
in February 2020, the coronavirus outbreak led to the cancellation of the program. since then, local and national authorities alongside the GSMA have worked to fortify the alliance, signaling barcelona as the permanent home for mwc. a senior executive from the GSMA noted that the collaboration over the past 15 years has been the foundation of an enduring partnership, and that the renewal could extend far beyond 2030 if both sides agree. the final terms announced on june 27 set a refreshed public contribution framework, increasing annual funding from 15 million to 24 million euros and aligning it with a three-year cycle under the new arrangement.
5.4 billion impacts
back in 2006, the mobile market was barely recognizable compared with today. the iPhone era had not yet begun, and smartphones were just on the horizon. by 2022, roughly two-thirds of the global population owned a smart device. against this backdrop, mwc catalyzed barcelona’s emergence as a european technology hub and delivered substantial economic value. netting 5.4 billion euros in economic impact and supporting more than 140,000 jobs over the last sixteen years, the event has become a central pillar of the city’s innovation ecosystem.
the most recent edition, held last march, drew more than 60,000 exhibitors from 200 countries. while attendance did not yet return to pre-pandemic levels, organizers welcomed a recovery in activity in line with the improving health situation. projections for the next edition suggest attendance between 70,000 and 80,000, though ongoing disruptions in parts of asia affected the presence of major companies from countries such as china and japan. according to george hoffman, the chief executive of the gsma, barcelona’s mwc continues to fill seven of eight pavilions with more than 1,900 companies from up to 160 nations, reinforcing the city’s status as a global tech showcase. the alliance remains focused on sustaining momentum and ensuring the event delivers value for exhibitors, sponsors, and visitors alike, while navigating broader supply chain and geopolitical challenges that influence participation across the world.