Video Games & Digital Media
ecosystem in Catalonia

Catalonia is the top EU region in foreign investment attraction into the video game sector.

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Barcelona-Catalonia, a leading European hub for the video game industry.

Barcelona-Catalonia has consolidated its position as one of Europe’s leading hubs for the video game industry and a key driver of the digital economy. The sector combines strong international appeal, sustained growth, and a solid talent base, offering attractive business opportunities and positive job creation prospects with a clear global outlook.

Over the past five years, the number of video game startups in Catalonia has grown by 35%, reaching a record 58 companies in 2024, 11 of which are scaleups with high growth potential. These startups represent 2.5% of Catalonia’s total startup ecosystem. Between 2020 and 2024, video game startups raised a total of US$132 million in funding, reflecting the sector’s increasing maturity and investor confidence.

At an industry-wide level, Catalonia is home to 262 companies and studios dedicated to video game development, employing more than 5,100 professionals. Together, these companies generate €756 million in aggregate revenues, accounting for 53% of Spain’s total video game industry turnover. Barcelona also ranks as the fourth city in the European Union with the highest number of video game startups, according to The Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report 2025.
 

“Barcelona is the location where we’re experiencing the most growth. When we were looking for a tech hub in Europe from Los Angeles, we explored several cities, and Barcelona was the most welcoming”

Javier Ferreira, Scopely Co-CEO

  • 262 companies

  • €756M in turnover

  • 5,100 employees

“I've always found Barcelona to be a good blend of creativity, culture, and innovation”

Akshay Bharadwaj, Head of Socialpoint Barcelona

A European leader in foreign investment

Catalonia is the leading region in the European Union for attracting foreign direct investment in the video game sector. Between 2020 and 2024, it ranked first in the number of projects, investment volume, and job creation. During this period, Catalonia attracted 24 foreign investment projects—15% of the EU total—representing €158.2 million in investment and resulting in the creation of 1,452 jobs, more than 15% of all jobs generated in the EU video game industry.

Barcelona’s growing role as an international gaming hub is reflected in the presence of major global players establishing strategic operations in the city. Socialpoint has opened its main European hub in the 22@ district, serving as Take-Two Interactive’s core European facility, while Scopely has launched an 8,500 m² technology and creative hub employing more than 700 professionals. The city has also attracted companies setting up their first European presence, such as Lilith Games and NetEase Games, alongside expansions by FunPlus and other international studios.

Beyond these flagship investments, companies including  IO Interactive, Rovio, Ubisoft, Sandsoft, Bespoke Pixel, and Tripledot Studios have launched or expanded operations in Barcelona, generating hundreds of high-value jobs across mobile, console, PC, and AAA development. Together, these investments reinforce Barcelona’s position as a strategic European base for global video game companies.

Why Catalonia?

Catalonia offers strong conditions for R&D centers, game development studios, headquarters, and commercial operations. The region benefits from a specialized talent pool, a dense industrial and creative ecosystem, competitive labor costs, and a high quality of life that supports talent attraction and retention.

Barcelona is recognized as Southern Europe’s leading technological ecosystem and one of Europe’s most innovative and creative cities. It hosts major international events such as the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona Games World, and leading esports competitions, alongside accelerators such as BCN Gamelab. These strengths, combined with excellent infrastructure and global connectivity, underpin Barcelona-Catalonia’s role as one of Europe’s most important video game hubs.

 

 
 

Main players and events in
Video Games & Digital Media.

Check below which are the main institutions and events that make Barcelona-Catalonia’s video games sector grow.

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