Blog attributed to John Hoffman, GSMA Ltd’s CEO
Next year marks MWC’s twentieth anniversary in Barcelona. From the iconic spires of Sagrada Familia to its thriving tech district, few global cities embody progress and vision quite like it.
Providing the backdrop for the conversations and connections that have defined - and will continue to define - the future of connectivity, the energy, character and colour of Barcelona are reflected more strongly in each edition of MWC.
And over the past two decades, this remarkable city has become far more than a host to MWC. It’s become our home, and a true partner. And 2026 will be no different.
Twenty years of economic growth
The influence of MWC is tangible, as seen by the economic impact on the city itself. In 2025, the event generated €561 million in economic activity for Barcelona and supported over 13,000 part-time jobs, with over 109,000 attendees from 205 countries attending the event. In total, since MWC first landed in Barcelona twenty years ago, it’s generated an economic contribution of €6.9billion, along with 173,000 part-time jobs.
Yet the benefits go further than figures alone.
Donation Room: driving positive community impact
“…at MWC25 Barcelona, a team of workers clad in neon orange hi-vis vests and hard hats are sorting through a mountain of cabinets, chairs, stools, tables and ornamental material such as lamps, waste bins, shelves and paintings.”
This is the Donation Room. Now entering its ninth year at MWC, the Donation Room initiative takes furniture, materials, and supplies left after the event and gives them a second life through cultural projects and social schemes across the cities of Barcelona and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.
In 2025, the Donation Room gave more than 26 tonnes of items (worth over €73,000) a second life. From chairs and tables to IT equipment and kitchen supplies, the scheme ensures that what’s built for MWC continues to serve the community long after the event ends.
This approach is part of the Good Guest commitment, ensuring MWC Barcelona respects the city that hosts it. Measures such as water-saving initiatives during times of drought and continued focus on reducing environmental footprint underline the GSMA’s continuing responsibility to Barcelona and its people.
mSchools: investing in the future
MWC’s influence reaches the next generation too. The mSchools programme is a long-standing collaboration between the GSMA, the Generalitat of Catalonia, and the Barcelona City Hall. It is focused on improving education by helping teachers and schools successfully integrate technology into their practice, so that students can thrive in a digital society.
To date, mSchools has reached close to 500,000 students and more than 18,000 teachers, involving around 2,800 educational centres across the region.
In support of mSchools, MWC brings together teachers, policymakers, and innovators in Barcelona to discuss how digital skills can open opportunities for young people in Catalonia and across the world. From curriculum development to the adoption of AI in education, mSchools leaves a legacy of learning that goes beyond the event.
4YFN: a global startup community
Alongside MWC, 4YFN brings together the boldest startups, global investors, and ecosystem players. In 2025 over 1,000 exciting startups participated in 4YFN, along with more than 900 investorswith collective funds totalling €60 billion.
As a staging ground for global innovation, 4YFN has elevated the city’s status as a canvas for entrepreneurial creativity and talent, where emerging ventures can gain visibility, funding, and momentum. As a result, the city’s startup scene has flourished, with Catalonia now home to 2,285 high-growth companies (the highest figure on record and a 9% increase over 2024).
“4YFN is clearly the most important gathering in the world right now for tech companies looking to work with large corporations, like in our case… Being recognized as the 4YFN Startup of the Year is more than just an award, it’s a powerful validation of our mission,” said José Fernández, Founder and CEO of Bankuish and winner of the 4YFN25 Awards. Submissions are open for the 4YFN26 Awards.
Next year’s MWC already looks set to be exceptional. On March 2-5, leaders from around the world will return to Barcelona to shape, discuss, and build the future of connectivity. The event’s 20th anniversary also provides a moment to look ahead. In 2027, MWC will include more locations in Barcelona, including Fira Montjuïc and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, extending its footprint across the city and region. And, by 2028, the opening of Hall Zero will give the event an additional, state-of-the-art home.
I can’t wait for what’s to come. Thank you, Barcelona.
Join us this year at our upcoming editions in the MWC global series: MWC25 Kigali, MWC25 Las Vegas and MWC25 Doha, and register your interest for next year’s MWC26 in Barcelona.