GSMA MWC26 Barcelona: ahead of 20th anniversary edition, global leaders and innovators prepare to gather at iconic connectivity event

26 February, London: MWC26 Barcelona is fast approaching, and final preparations are underway as the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event returns to Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via on 2–5 March for a week of leadership, connection, and discussions that will resonate long after the doors close. 

For two decades, the flagship MWC event and Barcelona have grown together, helping to transform the city into a global hub of digital innovation and create this iconic event for the global mobile and technology industries.  

Bringing together global leaders, innovators and policymakers under one roof to explore the next phase of mobile and digital transformation, this year’s MWC agenda concentrates on real-world use cases and their impact on industry and society. From completing the 5G journey and rising to the AI challenge, to protecting people and businesses from growing threats such as fraud and scams. 

Event highlights 

From live-action demos to first-time installations, MWC26 will play host to a powerful line-up of live experiences and exciting demos across the show floor: 

• Airport of the Future: A bold new chapter in MWC’s Journey to the Future series, this large-scale aviation exhibition explores how AI, automation and advanced connectivity are transforming airport environments and reshaping the future of air travel.
• New Frontiers: A new dedicated exhibition and content space shining a light on exciting technologies exploring the outer limits of innovation, including Quantum Technologies, Embodied AI and Robotics, and Satellite and Non-Terrestrial Networks.
• CircuitX: Located at New Frontiers, CircuitX makes its MWC debut as an immersive showcase of connected mobility and innovation, where attendees can explore interactive demo pods, live expert-led sessions, and explore a Formula E Gen3 Evo, the net-zero carbon electric race car.
• 4YFN: MWC’s world-famous startup platform returns with its own dedicated event entrance, welcoming an expanded roster of industry-leading speakers and over 1,000 startups and exhibitors shaping the future of entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Connected Industries: Bringing together leaders from fintech, manufacturing, smart mobility, and sports and entertainment, Connected Industries demonstrates how connectivity and AI are reshaping operations across the global economy. 

Over 1,700 speakers will take to 24 stages across MWC. New for this year, the conference programme is debuting six curated networking sessions to meet the speakers. On the MWC Main Stage, leading voices will take part in thought provoking discussions including speakers from Blizzard, Character.AI, OURA, Qualcomm, SpaceX and Starlink as well as the actor, producer and entrepreneur, Aaron Paul and, the British European Space Agency astronaut, Tim Peake. 

2,900 exhibitors, sponsors and partners are bringing their innovations to MWC26 including Accenture, Adobe, Amazon Web Services, AT&T, China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Cohere, Dell, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, EY, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Honor, Huawei, Intel, KPMG, KT, Liberty Global, Meta, Microsoft, Nscale, Nokia, Palo Alto Networks, Qualcomm, Samsung, SAP, Siemens, SKT, Telefonica, Toshiba, Viasat, Vodafone, Xiaomi and ZTE. The show floor will also host over 100 Pavilions, representing countries, regions and technologies including, for the first time, pavilions showcasing Africa, China, Palestine and Seoul.  

The latest news and announcements live from the show floor will all be available via the Press Zone. Registration for MWC26 Barcelona remains open, and members of the media are invited to apply for a complimentary press pass here. 

-ENDS- 

About GSMA  

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today’s biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world’s largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events. We invite you to find out more at gsma.com 

Media Contacts  

GSMA Press Office pressoffice@gsma.com