A perfect storm of severe traffic congestion and a disruptive protest by ride-hailing drivers threw the much-anticipated opening of Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 into disarray on Monday morning. As thousands of attendees descended on the Fira Gran Via venue, a slow-moving convoy of vehicles for hire with driver (VTC) brought key city arteries to a standstill. This compounded gridlock on major access roads and forced many to seek alternative routes via the city’s bolstered public transport network.

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Disruption began early, as the Servei Català de Trànsit (Catalan Transit Service) reported significant tailbacks on nearly all main routes into the city. Key motorways, including the B-23, A-2, C-32, and C-31, all experienced heavy congestion. The city’s ring roads saw particularly acute issues. For instance, the Ronda Litoral (B-10) experienced a 10-kilometre jam stretching from Santa Coloma de Gramenet towards the Fira venue, lasting well past the morning rush hour, as El Periódico reported. This congestion affected areas across the metropolitan region, including near Santa Coloma, which is preparing for its own cultural highlight with the upcoming Flamenc-on Festival.

VTC Protest Causes Chaos

A targeted protest by a faction of VTC drivers further exacerbated the traffic woes. Around 200 vehicles, organised by the Aurora association, representing drivers working for platforms like Uber, Bolt, and Cabify, launched a slow-moving march at approximately 8:30 am. Starting on Carrer d’Aragó, the convoy proceeded at a snail’s pace, horns blaring, towards Plaça d’Espanya, a key hub for MWC attendees.

Major VTC trade associations did not support the protest, which aimed to highlight drivers’ frustrations. Muhammad Bilal, a spokesperson for Aurora, told La Vanguardia that the Guardia Urbana had targeted drivers with fines for not having a specific metropolitan area permit. This occurred despite the Generalitat allowing VTCs from outside Catalonia to operate during MWC to meet the huge demand.

“We are also protesting because the new passenger transport law being prepared by the Generalitat will put us all out of a job,” Bilal stated. “We just want to work. Why isn’t the police as tough on the ‘pirates’ as they are on us?”

Bilal also alleged that many event companies are using unlicensed drivers and rental vans to transport clients, operating without proper insurance or training.

However, UNAUTO VTC, the main VTC employers’ association, distanced itself from the industrial action. In a statement reported by El Nacional, the group affirmed its commitment to the city and the congress. “The vast majority of the sector is committed to Barcelona and the success of the Mobile World Congress,” said José Manuel Berzal, national executive president of UNAUTO VTC. He added, “Our duty is to ensure that citizens and visitors can move around normally and safely.”

Public Transport Steps Up

With roads snarled and some VTC services disrupted, Barcelona’s public transport system became the congress’s essential lifeline. As part of its planning for the event, which this year explores complex global themes and expects over 110,000 visitors, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) had already announced significant reinforcements.

According to a TMB press release, TMB increased metro services on the L9 Sud line, which directly connects both airport terminals to the Fira and Europa | Fira stations at the venue, to run every two minutes during peak hours. They also recommended the nearby L10 Sud line as a viable alternative. Additionally, TMB increased customer service staff, security, and cleaning services at key stations.

Above ground, MWC organiser GSMA funds a special free shuttle bus service, connecting Plaça d’Espanya directly with the Fira Gran Via. These buses run every five to six minutes between 8 am and 8 pm for the first three days of the congress; on the final day, Thursday, 5 March, they will operate until 4 pm. This service complements regular city bus lines, such as the H12, V1, 46 and 65, which also serve the area.

While the city’s transport infrastructure ultimately provided a crucial alternative for stranded attendees, MWC 2026’s opening day served as a stark reminder of the delicate balance required to manage mobility during mega-events and the persistent tensions within Barcelona’s evolving transport sector.