John Hoffman, the CEO of GSMA, has offered his strongest indication yet that the Mobile World Congress Barcelona will remain in the city well beyond its current contractual obligations. Speaking ahead of the event’s 20th anniversary edition, Hoffman invoked the old adage: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The city previously addressed similar concerns when MWC 2026’s projected €585 million economic impact was announced.
The current agreement between the GSMA and local authorities locks the world’s largest mobile technology trade show into Barcelona until 2030. After that date, the contract allows for automatic annual renewals if both parties agree. In an interview with Europa Press, Hoffman suggested the partnership has evolved from a simple business transaction into a permanent fixture.
Your browser does not support the video tag.Home » Mobile World Congress Barcelona: GSMA Boss Signals Future Beyond 2030 Contract
“As long as there is a mutually beneficial relationship, I’m afraid you’re stuck with us,” Hoffman joked. He noted that the relationship had matured from a mere venue rental into a strategic alliance that benefits the region year-round.
Mobile World Congress Barcelona: A Record-Breaking 20th Anniversary
The comments come as the city prepares to host the 2026 edition from 2 to 5 March at the Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue. Expectations for the event are high. Organisers project a record economic impact of €585 million, a 4.3% increase on previous figures. The city previously addressed similar concerns when concerns that Barcelona’s tourist apartment ban puts the MWC at risk.
Attendance is expected to exceed 100,000 visitors. Once the final figures for 2026 are tallied, the GSMA estimates that the Mobile World Congress Barcelona will have generated a cumulative economic impact of €7.5 billion over its two decades in the Catalan capital.
“We are very proud of that,” Hoffman said. “We are aware that we take over the city to do our thing, but we also try to be a good guest and reciprocate. That is part of the legacy we leave.”
Mobile World Congress Barcelona: Innovation and Expansion
The 2026 show will introduce several new features. These are designed to showcase the convergence of connectivity and industry.
- Airport of the Future: A dedicated zone explores how aviation evolves through digital connectivity and avionics.
- CircuitX: Located at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, this off-site experience will utilise the Formula 1 track. It demonstrates smart mobility, electric vehicles, and telematics.
- New Frontiers: A space in Hall 6 focuses on the intersection of space technology, quantum computing, and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
Looking further ahead, Hoffman touched upon the expansion of the Fira de Barcelona. The highly anticipated ‘Hall Zero’, a massive new facility currently under construction, has had its debut delayed until 2028. However, Hoffman described the future space as “magnificent”. He also stated it is key to the event’s growth, particularly for housing the expanded Ministerial Programme.
Mobile World Congress Barcelona: Social Impact and Legacy
Beyond the high-tech showcases, the GSMA boss highlighted the event’s social contributions. The 2026 edition is expected to generate approximately 15,000 temporary jobs. This brings the 20-year total to around 110,000 positions.
The organisation also runs a ‘Donation Room’ initiative to manage surplus materials. Last year alone, 26 tonnes of physical material—ranging from construction supplies to electronic devices—were donated to local social and cultural causes. In addition, the mSchools programme, a digital skills initiative for students, has now reached half a million pupils across 3,000 educational centres since its inception. For more information on global tech events, visit the GSMA’s official website.
Apply to join our community of Entrepreneurs, Senior Executives and Founders at Bizcelona .
