ICE 2026 brings the global gaming industry back to Barcelona for three packed days of iGaming, land based casino, sports betting, lottery, and payments innovation. It is positioned as the place where the gaming sector meets to do business, compare technology, and set direction for the year ahead.
Hosted at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, ICE 2026 is part of World Gaming Week, a wider program of conferences, networking events, and meetings that turns Barcelona into a gaming hub every January.
This guide explains what ICE 2026 is, who attends, what the agenda looks like, and how to plan your trip so you walk away with real deals and useful contacts instead of scattered conversations.
What Is ICE 2026?
ICE Barcelona is a global business event for the gaming industry that covers every major vertical, from casino and games to esports, sports betting, and payments. It runs for three days from 19 to 21 January 2026 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via.
The organizers describe ICE as a complete platform for:
- New technology and product launches
- Commercial deals and partnerships
- Regulatory updates and compliance insight
- Networking across the full gaming ecosystem
ICE sits at the center of World Gaming Week, which adds extra forums, networking events, and meetings around the main show.
You can view the event listing on Vendelux here: ICE 2026 on Vendelux.
When And Where Is ICE 2026 Taking Place?
ICE 2026 is confirmed for 19 to 21 January 2026 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain.
Event basics
- Dates: 19 to 21 January 2026
- City: Barcelona, Spain
- Venue: Fira Barcelona Gran Via, Av. Joan Carles I, 64, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat
Fira Barcelona Gran Via is one of Europe’s largest and most modern exhibition venues, with eight interlinked halls and large outdoor plazas that already host events like Mobile World Congress.
Who’s Coming To ICE 2026?
ICE publishes headline numbers that give a clear sense of scale:
- 65,000+ visitors across three days
- 600+ global exhibitors
- 300+ verified regulators
- 200+ expert speakers
You can expect a broad mix of:
- Operators
Land-based casinos, online casinos, sportsbook operators, lotteries, and state monopolies. - Suppliers and tech providers
Platform providers, content studios, hardware manufacturers, payment and risk vendors, and data companies. - Regulators, policymakers, and associations
Gaming authorities, finance and digital ministries, and trade bodies from many regions. - Investors, consultants, and advisors
Firms looking at M&A, expansion, and new product categories in regulated markets.
ICE highlights that attendees come from more than 160 countries and territories, which makes it a genuinely international event rather than a regional show.
Why This Audience Matters
For operators, ICE concentrates your key suppliers, partners, and future vendors in one place. You can compare platforms, negotiate deals, and preview roadmaps without long travel cycles.
For vendors, the mix of operators, regulators, and payment partners means three days of meetings can replace months of separate trips and video calls. The presence of regulators and policymakers also makes ICE a good venue for policy and compliance discussions backed by product demos.
Who Will Be Speaking At ICE 2026?
The full ICE 2026 speaker list continues to develop, but the structure is clear from the official content program.
At the center is the World Gaming Forum, described as the official ICE leaders conference. It brings together more than 1,200 delegates, including CEOs, ministers, regulators, and industry associations from over 79 countries.
Across the Forum and other content stages you can expect:
- Leadership sessions with C level executives from operators, suppliers, and platforms
- Policy and regulatory panels with national agencies and advisers
- Product and technology talks covering AI, data, UX, and new channels
- Market deep dives on regions such as Latin America, Europe, Africa, and North America
Because ICE is still expanding its Barcelona footprint after the 2025 move from London, organizers are adding more structured content each year, particularly around regulation and market entry.
What Kind Of Sponsors And Exhibitions Will There Be?
The exhibition floor is the core of ICE. The 2026 edition features 600+ exhibitors spread across multiple halls at Fira Barcelona Gran Via.
Exhibitors span:
- Casino and games content, cabinets, and platforms
- Sportsbook platforms, odds and data feeds, and trading tools
- Esports products and betting solutions
- Lottery systems and retail technology
- Payments, risk, and compliance solutions
- Marketing, CRM, and retention technology
Key exhibition features include:
- Sustainable Gambling Zone
A dedicated area focused on safer gambling, sustainability, and charity partnerships. - Esports Arena
A live esports environment showcasing competitive play and related technology. - Pitch ICE
A platform for startups to present new ideas and products to investors, operators, and media. - VIP Lounge and networking spaces
Areas designed for higher-level meetings, small group discussions, and hosted networking.
The exhibitor list and floorplan are published on the ICE site so you can plan your route and shortlist stands before you arrive.
What Kind Of Sessions Are There At ICE 2026?
ICE combines a large Expo with structured conference content.
On the conference side, the World Gaming Forum runs multiple tracks, including:
- World Regulatory Briefing
- Casino Leaders Conference
- Sports Leaders Conference
- Innovating Lotteries Conference
- Esports Betting Conference
- Workshops on topics like safer gambling, AI, and compliance
On the show floor, there are additional content stages and themed spaces such as:
- Enterprise Stage for product and strategy talks
- La Plaza Española for Spanish and Latin markets
- Startup Accelerator programming
- Regulatory Programme sessions and safer gambling workshops
Sessions range from high level panels to very practical case studies, along with masterclasses, workshops, and partner hosted content.
What To Expect From ICE 2026 – Is The Event Worth It?
For most teams in gaming, ICE is less about broad inspiration and more about concrete progress.
You can expect:
- Product depth
You can see new platforms, content, and tools in action, often with engineers and product owners on hand to answer detailed questions. - Market and regulatory clarity
With 200 regulatory bodies and many associations represented, ICE is a practical place to understand licensing trends, enforcement, and compliance expectations across markets. - Deals and partnerships
Operators, suppliers, and service partners arrive with full calendars. Many renewals, pilots, and distribution deals start or conclude around ICE.
If your work touches casino, iGaming, sports betting, lottery, or related payments and risk infrastructure, ICE is one of the few events that consistently informs near term decisions on tech stack, content, and partnerships.
Why Should You Attend ICE 2026?
Different roles value ICE in different ways.
For operators
- Compare platforms across casino, sportsbook, payments, and risk
- Discuss compliance and market access with regulators and advisors
- Benchmark your plans against peers in similar markets
For suppliers and tech providers
- Meet a high concentration of current and potential customers in one venue
- Use Pitch ICE, the Esports Arena, and other features for product exposure
- Gather direct feedback on roadmaps and integration priorities
For regulators and policymakers
- Join the World Regulatory Briefing and WGF to compare policy approaches
- See how operators and suppliers implement safer gambling and sustainability
- Meet peers facing similar enforcement and market challenges
For investors and advisors
- Scan growth categories and early-stage companies in a single trip
- Assess regulatory direction and risk sentiment across multiple markets
- Build relationships with founders and leadership teams
If your goals include market expansion, new product lines, or a clearer view of global regulation, ICE 2026 offers strong reasons to attend.
Leverage Attendee Insights: Who’s Attending And How To Prepare
Before you commit budget and time, it helps to know which accounts and roles will be in Barcelona and where they sit in your pipeline.
With Vendelux, marketing and revenue teams can:
- Upload or build an ICP list and see which accounts plan to attend
- Map seniority and function across operators, suppliers, and regulators
- Prioritize accounts where an in-person meeting could move a deal forward
Given ICE’s scale and the number of meetings happening across three days, this kind of pre-work turns a busy show into a focused pipeline opportunity.
When you know who you want to meet, you can:
- Tailor demos and talking points to each segment
- Plan sessions around your highest-priority accounts
- Reserve time for WGF sessions that influence regulation in your key markets
Things To Consider Before Registering For ICE 2026
Registration details and pricing for ICE 2026 are handled through the official registration portal.
Points to consider:
- Pass type
ICE offers visitor registration for gaming professionals, with separate options for World Gaming Forum passes and other conference access. - Eligibility
ICE is a business event. Expect checks on company type and role when you register. - Team composition
Decide which people focus on sales meetings, which cover product scouting, and who attends leadership and regulatory sessions. - Budget
Combine pass costs with travel, hotel, stand build or meeting room hire, and any hosted events or dinners you plan to run.
Always verify the latest ticket types, rates, and deadlines on the official ICE site before you book.
Plan Your Visit To ICE 2026 And What To Do After Hours
ICE takes place at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, a large venue in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, near Barcelona’s business districts.
Getting there
- Barcelona El Prat Airport connects to the city by taxi, rideshare, and public transport.
- The venue is served by metro line L9 Sud and other local transit options.
- Shuttles and dedicated transport are often arranged by hotels and partners during World Gaming Week.
After hours
Evenings during ICE are busy:
- Vendor receptions, private dinners, and networking events run across Barcelona.
- Popular areas include Plaça d’Espanya, Gran Via, Eixample, and the waterfront around Port Olímpic.
- Many companies host invite only events or client dinners, so leave room in your schedule for these.
Barcelona also offers plenty of options if you want informal settings for client meetings, from tapas bars to hotel rooftops.
Tips When Traveling To ICE 2026 + Hotels
Book accommodation early
ICE runs alongside other World Gaming Week activities, so demand for rooms near Fira Gran Via is high. Look at:
- Hotels within walking distance of Fira Gran Via
- Properties in Plaça d’Espanya or Sants with quick metro access
- Central Barcelona hotels if you prefer to host dinners and meetings in the city center, with a short commute to the venue each day
What to pack
- Comfortable shoes for long days on the show floor
- Business casual clothing suitable for meetings and receptions
- A light jacket or layers for January weather
- Portable charger, adapters, and a simple notebook for quick debriefs between meetings
Local considerations
- Build travel time into your schedule, especially between the venue and city center.
- Check the official travel and venue information on the ICE site for any security procedures or access guidance.
Summary: Careful Planning Helps You Get Full Value From ICE 2026
ICE 2026 in Barcelona is one of the most influential gatherings for gaming, betting, and lottery. With tens of thousands of professionals, hundreds of suppliers, and a strong mix of regulators and decision makers, it can shape your product strategy, market entry plans, and commercial pipeline for the year ahead.
To get the most from your trip:
- Set clear objectives across learning, vendor review, and meetings.
- Use Vendelux to see which accounts and contacts will be on site, then book meetings in advance.
- Align your team on target segments, core messages, and desired outcomes for each conversation.
- Treat travel, hotels, and after hours hosting as part of your event plan, not side tasks.
With thoughtful preparation, ICE 2026 can deliver a full year of market intelligence, partnerships, and revenue opportunities in three focused days at Fira Barcelona Gran Via.
