Spain boasts a network of destinations ready to host international congresses and events

Spain has reasserted its key position on the global meetings-tourism map as the country hosting the third greatest number of international congresses in 2024, behind only the United States and Italy, according to the annual ranking published by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). This achievement not only reflects the commitment of its major capitals, but also the MICE sector’s remarkable coverage across the country, with a total of 57 cities listed in the global ranking. Barcelona tops the list, hosting 142 international congresses in 2024 thanks to a solid ecosystem. The city is home to large-capacity facilities, such as Fira Barcelona (almost 5,400,000 square feet) and the Barcelona International Convention Center (CCIB), and is firmly committed to an innovative approach focused on technological, medical, and associative events. All this, alongside record air connections and a growing hotel selection. Madrid, hosting 105 congresses, has established itself as a global leader, partly due to its positioning as an air hub and the importance of IFEMA, with more than 2,000,000 square feet of exhibition space, complemented by venues such as the Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center with its almost 97,000 square feet of rooms and 869 bedrooms, alongside other unique spaces that enhance the visitor experience, like the Teatro Real, Cybele Palace or the Círculo de Bellas Artes.

Located near Madrid–Barajas Airport and IFEMA, the Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center offers 56 rooms for conventions, exhibitions, and fairs, as well as an auditorium with 2,000 seats © Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center

Valencia, coming in third with 51 congresses, is a Mediterranean city with growing connections and boasting such historic venues and cutting-edge facilities as the City of Arts and Sciences or the Roig Arena, ideal for large congresses and events. Beyond the major cities, the ICCA ranking reflects a diversified network of destinations contributing to the country’s global positioning, featuring cities like Bilbao, Seville, Málaga, Granada, San Sebastián, and Palma de Mallorca, which all hosted significant numbers of international congresses. The ICCA ranking only includes rotating international congresses—in other words, those held alternately in three or more countries with a minimum of 50 delegates—which adds qualitative value to this recognition obtained by Spanish cities in its latest edition.