The scale of the event is also reflected in the expected attendance. Organisers anticipate once again surpassing 100,000 international participants, placing the congress among the world’s largest professional gatherings in the connectivity space. The previous edition already reached 109,000 attendees from 205 countries and territories, demonstrating the global drawing power of Barcelona’s flagship event. This international dimension has a direct impact on sectors such as hospitality, food and beverage, and transport, all of which experience demand peaks during those days.
Tourism impact is particularly visible in the hotel sector. Just weeks before the congress begins, establishments in L’Hospitalet were reporting 97% occupancy and those in Barcelona 93%, with average room rates reaching €690 per night—figures that highlight the intense demand pressure generated by the event. This phenomenon confirms that MWC is not only a technology platform, but also a cross-cutting economic catalyst that mobilises multiple industries linked to business tourism and the urban economy.
On the technology front, the 2026 edition will be defined by the consolidation of trends reshaping the digital future. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced connectivity and real-world applications of these technologies will headline many of the debates, demonstrations and corporate presentations. Companies and international delegations will showcase advances in 5G, 6G, non-terrestrial networks, next-generation Wi-Fi, and connectivity solutions for the automotive industry and smart infrastructure, reflecting the sector’s rapid pace of innovation.
Beyond product launches, the congress has become a strategic platform for global partnerships, business negotiations and knowledge exchange. The presence of regulators, ministers and public authorities from numerous countries reinforces its role as a forum for international digital governance, where standards, regulatory frameworks and technology policies with a direct impact on the global economy are debated. This institutional dimension makes MWC an arena of influence where innovation, economic diplomacy and public–private cooperation converge.
The event’s structural impact on Barcelona is evident in the evolution of the local tech ecosystem. The city now has close to 130,000 digital professionals, after annual growth of 6%, accounting for roughly 6% of total employment and demonstrating the region’s ability to attract specialised talent from different countries. This dynamism is further supported by technology transfer and business incubation initiatives promoted in the orbit of the congress, some of which have generated dozens of projects and millions in accumulated investment.
From a strategic perspective, MWC acts as a multiplier of territorial reputation. Since arriving in Barcelona in 2006, the event has generated around €6.9 billion and more than 173,000 temporary jobs—figures that illustrate its sustained contribution to economic development and to the city’s international projection. This track record helps explain why organisers insist on consolidating the relationship with the Catalan capital and reinforcing its role as the permanent host of the technology summit.
In this context, Mobile World Congress 2026 presents itself not merely as an industry trade show, but as a global benchmark event that brings together innovation, investment, talent and technology diplomacy. Its combination of economic impact, institutional influence and ability to anticipate trends makes it both a barometer of the digital future and a privileged indicator of where global technological transformation is headed. Barcelona, once again, will be the stage where that future begins to take tangible shape.
