Spain’s national rail operator, Renfe, has been named the official Train Transport Partner for the 2026 edition of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. The company will offer 22,500 seats daily on its high-speed trains to facilitate travel for the thousands of attendees descending on the city, and will provide a 15% discount to accredited participants.
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In a statement released on Tuesday, Renfe confirmed the partnership aims to streamline the arrival of an expected 100,000 visitors for the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event. The congress is scheduled to take place from 2 to 5 March 2026 at the Fira de Barcelona’s sprawling Gran Via venue in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.
The deal underscores the logistical challenge of hosting an event of MWC’s magnitude and the critical role of public transport in its success. Spanish newspaper 20 Minutos first reported this arrangement.
A High-Speed Connection for a High-Tech Event
The core of the offering involves Renfe’s flagship Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) network. These high-speed services connect Barcelona’s Sants station with major Spanish cities including Madrid, Seville, Valencia, and Malaga, as well as international routes to Lyon and Marseille in France. By allocating 22,500 daily seats, Renfe aims to provide a reliable and efficient travel option for both domestic and international attendees.
In addition to the increased capacity, accredited MWC attendees will be eligible for a 15% discount on their train fares. This incentive encourages the use of rail transport, aligning with the city’s broader goals for sustainable mobility. This approach complements other local initiatives, such as Barcelona’s City Council’s subsidy for electric mopeds, both aiming to reduce transport’s environmental impact.
Bolstering Barcelona’s Transport Infrastructure
The partnership with Renfe is a key part of a multi-faceted strategy to prepare the city’s transport infrastructure for the massive influx of MWC visitors. It complements the news that Barcelona is scheduling 9,100 flights for the event’s 20th anniversary in the city, ensuring robust connectivity by both air and rail.
Securing reliable transport partners is paramount for event organisers, especially given past challenges. Industrial action, including FGC train strikes, has impacted previous MWC editions, disrupting services for commuters and congress-goers alike. This high-capacity agreement with Renfe provides a significant layer of resilience, offering a dependable alternative for travel to and from the city centre.
Renfe’s commitment to the region extends beyond major events. The operator is also engaged in significant infrastructure upgrades, such as the major renovation of Cornellà station, Spain’s oldest railway station, demonstrating a long-term investment in improving Catalonia’s transport network.
For the tens of thousands of tech executives, developers, and government officials attending MWC 2026, this partnership promises a smoother and more accessible journey to one of the most important events on the global technology calendar. It reinforces Barcelona’s status as a world-class host city, capable of managing large-scale international congresses with efficiency and foresight.
