World Gaming Week 2026 in Barcelona: Record 62,988 Guests from 162 Countries

Event Performance: Key Figures

Clarion Gaming’s analysts identified the countries with the largest participation:

1. Spain — 10,209 guests.
2. The UK — 5,999.
3. Malta — 3,187.
4. Cyprus — 2,628.
5. Ukraine — 2,512.
6. Poland — 2,247.
7. The US — 1,568.

Delegates from Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria also gathered large crowds, each exceeding 1,000. Compared to 2025, overall attendance rose by 5% (from 59,939).

Independent verification confirmed that 51,996 visitors joined ICE, a 4% YoY increase, while 10,992 participated in iGB Affiliate (up 11%), held concurrently in January. The organisers highlighted that the most significant growth in attendance was in Africa (+65%) and Latin America (+40%).

Industry Forums and Technology Discussions

The WGW show featured the display of more than 25,000 fresh products and services. Amid this impressive wave of niche releases, panels and discussions on automation, operational efficiency, and customer protection stood out as particularly relevant.

The World Gaming Forum 2026 drew executives from leading entertainment corporations, prominent software suppliers, policymakers, industry associations, and regulatory authorities. One of the most popular features of the event was the Sustainable Gambling Zone, which became a central attraction during the reporting period.

Commentaries on WGW 2026

Stuart Hunter, World Gaming’s Managing Director, stressed that attendance alone reveals only part of the picture and does not reflect the full extent of ICE and iGB Affiliate, which continue to expand at an unprecedented pace, attracting audiences worldwide. The increase in visitor numbers underscores the show’s large scale and demonstrates the success of promotional efforts in drawing participants.

January’s meetings achieved several milestones: for the very 1st time, the total number of delegates surpassed 60,000. These results have been independently verified and fully confirmed, enabling commercial partners to develop their strategies based on dependable data.

The discussions started during WGW in Barcelona will be carried forward and further examined at local gatherings. According to Mr Hunter, now is the ideal moment to prepare for the upcoming iGB L!VE exhibition in early July.

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