Fira de Barcelona's new pavilion adds delays and changes the timetable

Fira de Barcelona’s future pavilion will not be ready until 2027. The project is suffering a further delay and postpones its debut until the major events of 2028. Works are progressing, but the timetable is being adjusted again.

Progress on construction of Fira de Barcelona’s new pavilion directly affects the city’s calendar of major events. Those expecting to inaugurate the space in 2026 will have to wait: project leaders have confirmed a further delay, putting completion in the first quarter of 2027. This means that the large exhibitions and trade fairs planned for early 2028 will be the first to enjoy the new facilities.

While the Gran Via venue prepares to host a new edition of Mobile World Congress, work on the future pavilion does not stop. However, unlike the secrecy surrounding the congress set-up, works on the new building have been the subject of an institutional visit. This Tuesday, a broad delegation led by Economy councillor Alicia Romero, together with Barcelona and l’Hospitalet mayors Jaume Collboni and David Quirós, toured the construction site, checking the state of the work first hand.

The new pavilion, located directly opposite the current venue, represents a strategic commitment to reinforce Barcelona’s position as an international reference for organising fairs and conferences. The delivery delay forces event planning to be reorganised, but leaves intact the ambition for the city to continue leading the sector in southern Europe.

Expectations are growing among organisers and companies, who see this space as an opportunity to expand their reach and attract more visitors. The tight timetable adds pressure, but also reinforces institutions’ commitment to Fira’s future and its impact on the local economy.

Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue, located on the boundary between Barcelona and l’Hospitalet, has become one of the city’s main drivers of economic activity and international projection over the last decade. Its capacity to host large-format events has been key to transforming the surrounding area and stimulating sectors such as hospitality, transport and services. The expansion with the new pavilion responds to growing demand for space and the need to remain competitive with other European cities.