Article by Gunter Fricke

Under the motto "EXPLORE the NEW gaming ecosystem", the hot phase of preparations for ICE 2025, which will take place in Barcelona from Monday 20 January to Wednesday 22 January 2025, has begun.

At the invitation of Clarion Gaming, press representatives from all over Europe met to accompany the further preparations. The new concept was also presented on site in comparison to ICE London. After more than a decade of ExCeL, the move to "Fira Gran Via" in Barcelona has been finalised. 80% of the exhibitors surveyed decided in favour of Barcelona in the final selection.

Barcelona impresses with its short distances, the trade fair is located halfway between the airport and the city centre. After many years first in Earls Court and then in the Docklands at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre, additional travel time and costs had to be planned for logistics, arrival and departure. In contrast to the typical London weather, we are looking forward to an average temperature of 15 degrees in January with only 4 possible rainy days.

For visitors and exhibitors, ICE 2025 will probably be cheaper overall than London due to lower costs for accommodation, catering, logistics and transport, but certainly not more expensive. In the Numbeo price index ranking, Barcelona is 30% cheaper than London.

After arriving at Barcelona-El Prat Airport with a landing approach over the Mediterranean, the metro line L9S "Zona Universitaria" (red) takes visitors directly to the exhibition centre "Fira Barcelona Gran Via" within 18 minutes. The metro stops directly in the magnificently designed reception area of the trade fair centre. Although the journey from the airport to the trade fair centre only takes 15 minutes by taxi, this will certainly be different for the trade fair. With over 1,000 exhibitors from 65 countries, ICE is expecting well over 65,000 visitors on an area of 120,000 square metres. Clarion Gaming is once again setting new standards in terms of spacious design and logistical concept to give new impetus to the gaming and gambling industry. ICE Barcelona 2025 is thus underlining its claim to leadership in the global event calendar in the industry.

The city of Barcelona is providing extensive support for the mega event, for example with a special public transport programme and guaranteed 55,000 available hotel beds during the trade fair. Looking back on the annual trip to London with a little nostalgia, we can only look forward to ICE 2025 with excitement. What will change?

Visitors and exhibitors can expect a convincing trade fair concept with a clear structure divided into the areas of affiliate trade fair:
Hall 1: Affiliates' fair.
Hall 2: Online gaming.
Hall 3: Land-based casino concepts.
Halls 4 and 5: Sports betting and payment providers.

All areas are connected from the reception area via a central axis of a sky walk, so that each themed area can be reached in just a few minutes.
Thanks to the short distances, it will finally be possible for visitors with a specific destination to attend the most important appointments within one day and combine this with a themed tour.

But let's be honest, who wants to leave a destination like Barcelona straight away? The metro takes you to the historic city centre, which is characterised by Mediterranean flair and the architecture of the artist Antoni Gaudi, in just a few minutes. A visit to the Sagrada Familia should be just as much a part of the programme as visits to the Museu Picasso and the Fundación Joan Miro with its contemporary art, which also convey the city's attitude to life. Not only the exhibitors are enthusiastic about the concept, the exhibition space for 2025 is already fully booked.

The plan for the next few years is to expand by three exhibition halls for up to 100,000 visitors. With the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona has already proven that it is equipped for growth.

It remains a "big-thanks" to London and an "endavant" combined with the anticipation of the exciting ICE and iGB Affiliate 2025 events in Barcelona.