MWC26 closes in Barcelona with nearly 105,000 attendees and a strong focus on AI and innovation

The 2026 edition of Mobile World Congress Barcelona (MWC26) has wrapped up after bringing together nearly 105,000 attendees from 207 countries and territories in Barcelona, reaffirming its position as the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event. The congress also marked a milestone: 20 years since the event first made Barcelona its global home.

Held at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, this year’s event gathered 2,900 exhibitors, sponsors and partners, alongside more than 1,700 speakers and industry leaders. Discussions throughout the week focused on major technological challenges and opportunities, including artificial intelligence, the future of 5G connectivity and cybersecurity.

“Twenty years in Barcelona and MWC continues to surprise and surpass expectations,” said John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA. “From the very beginning, the GSMA and host city parties shared a common vision: to build something that would matter to the world. Barcelona had the infrastructure, the ecosystem and the commitment to grow with us.”

“From the very beginning, the GSMA and host city parties shared a common vision: to build something that would matter to the world. Barcelona had the infrastructure, the ecosystem and the commitment to grow with us”

John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA

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AI, robotics and the future of connectivity

Across its exhibition halls and stages, MWC26 showcased a wide range of innovations shaping the digital economy. Among the highlights were new thematic areas such as “Airport of the Future” and “New Frontiers”, as well as numerous demonstrations of robotics and AI-powered technologies.

The event also underscored the growing convergence between the telecom sector and other industries: 58% of attendees came from sectors adjacent to the core mobile ecosystem. High-level participation remained strong, with 17% of attendees holding C-suite roles and 45% at director level or above.

According to Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, the event demonstrated the momentum of the connectivity sector worldwide. “MWC26 has shown what happens when the world’s brightest minds come together around genuinely hard problems—from open and inclusive AI to keeping the world safe from fraud and cybercrime.”

Startups and talent at the forefront

Alongside the main congress, the startup-focused 4YFN 2026 welcomed more than 1,000 exhibitors from startups and corporations, as well as over 300 speakers and hundreds of investors managing collective funds totaling around $70 billion.

Meanwhile, Mobile World Capital Barcelona hosted the Talent Arena at Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc, attracting more than 25,000 attendees and reinforcing Barcelona’s role as a hub for digital talent and innovation.

Catalan companies expect over €23 million in business opportunities

Catalan companies and organizations also had a strong presence at the event through the spaces organized by ACCIÓ – Catalonia Trade & Investment, the business competitiveness agency of the Government of Catalonia.

A total of 106 Catalan companies, technology centers, entities and startups participated in Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026 and 4YFN 2026 through these dedicated areas. According to ACCIÓ – Catalonia Trade & Investment, they expect to generate €23.1 million in business volume or investment raised in the coming months as a result of their activity during the event—2% more than last year.

Nearly 30% of the participating Catalan companies have already closed at least one deal during the congress, a figure that is expected to grow in the months ahead. Over the four days of the event, these companies held around 2,500 meetings and visits with potential partners and clients.

The event also hosted the Open Innovation Challenge, which connected corporations and startups to address specific technological challenges. The initiative featured 44 challenge owners presenting 76 innovation challenges, with around 800 registered participants and approximately 600 meetings held.

A global platform for the connectivity industry

MWC Barcelona remains the flagship event in the GSMA’s global calendar, which includes major industry gatherings across several regions throughout the year. Upcoming editions include MWC Kigali 2026 in June, followed by MWC Shanghai 2026 later that month and MWC Doha 2026 in November.

After two decades in Barcelona, the event continues to strengthen the city’s position—and that of Catalonia—as a leading global hub for technology, innovation and international business.

Source: GSMA and Catalonia Trade & Investment