This year’s SBS Summit Barcelona is taking place from September 19-21, meaning it starts today. For those of you not familiar with it, let’s just say it’s a big deal. It is where global leaders within Sports Betting and iGaming get together to discuss the future of the industry, exchange knowledge and build powerful connections.
SBC Summit Barcelona
An Excellent Opportunity to Present Your Product
Each year, around 15,000 industry professionals attend the event. Covering multiple areas of the business, the exhibition provides an excellent opportunity for companies to present their products and services.
This year, visitors can expect a separate conference stage, exhibition floor and networking areas. The industry departments getting their very own zones are:
- Sports Betting
- Casino & iGaming
- Payment & Compliance
- Affiliate
- Marketing & Media
- Emerging Tech, Blockchain & Metaverse
Fira Barcelona Montjuïc is no longer big enough
SBC Barcelona Is Getting Too Big
With as many as 450 industry professionals and more than 350 exhibitors, the event keeps growing each and every year. This is of course great but at the same time it causes some problems in terms of size.
Hello Lisbon 2024
The event has become so big that it has outgrown the Fira Barcelona Montjuïc. In other words it means SBC will have to find a bigger venue going forward. This has resulted in the decision to say good-bye to Barcelona and hello to Lisbon in 2024!
Not only is the event moving countries, being it will no longer be held in Barcelona, the event will simply be known as SBC Summit 2024.
SBC founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark
Fastest Ever-Growing Event in the Industry
“The decision for a new home for our flagship event was driven by its remarkable growth, which had clearly outpaced the capacity of Fira Barcelona Montjuïc, as well as praise and support from clients and industry stakeholders,” said SBC founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark.
“When we say it’s the fastest ever-growing event in the industry, we mean it, and that’s why finding the right venue and city was absolutely essential.”
Welcome to ICE London
Not the Only Reason Behind the Move
Although the need for a bigger venue is reason enough for a move like this, it’s not the only reason. ICE London is putting an end to its 12-year tenure at ExCeL London and will relocate to Barcelona starting in 2025.
Ice London is of course the leading global gaming and gambling event, meaning it’s even bigger than SBC Summit with around 40,000 visitors.
Extensive 6-Month Bidding Process
Moving such a classic event that has been cemented by London over the past 12 years is not an easy task. For example, the relocation project consisted of an extensive 6-month bidding process.
There were 4 major cities looking to secure the event. Barcelona’s fierce competition came from Paris, Madrid and of course London, who was not willing to let go without a fight.
ICE Barcelona 2025
Why Barcelona?
The ICE advisory board had a list of no less than 30 variables, each having a big impact on the decision. In the end, Barcelona was able to present the most attractive package for ICE. Clarion gaming Managing Director Alex Pratt explained why Barcelona came out on top.
“Barcelona’s bid was notable for the scale of its world-class facilities, outstanding hospitality infrastructure, logistics, ROI for customers and ability to scale. It will create a partnership between the international gaming industry, Fira de Barcelona, and public and private stakeholders in Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain. We have a huge opportunity to create an important legacy for the future,” said Pratt.
In the end, a 5-year deal was agreed upon, making sure ICE comes to Barcelona between 2025-2029, to begin with.
Who’s coming to Barcelona and/or Lisbon?
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