FYCMA closes 2025 with more events, more attendees, and an economic impact exceeding 265 million euros

Málaga, 13 February, 2026.– FYCMA (Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga), part of the Ayuntamiento de Málaga, closed 2025 with a total of 147 events, including trade fairs, congresses, conventions, workshops, concerts, and other activities, which brought together more than 283,000 attendees—representing a 70 percent increase compared to the previous year. This was reported today by Alicia Izquierdo, Councillor for Innovation, Digitalization, and Investment Attraction of the Ayuntamiento de Málaga, and the official responsible for FYCMA, who also highlighted that this growth was driven by major events that expanded audiences and strengthened Málaga’s position as a leading fair and congress destination.

Internationalization of activities advanced significantly, with international events accounting for nearly 25 percent of the program. The professional calendar maintained its prominence, representing almost 77 percent of the activity, while scientific and technological meetings increased by 20 percent, making up more than half of the total events held. In this way, FYCMA’s activity aligns with Málaga’s strategy and positioning as an international hub for innovation and advanced technological development.

This combination of factors, together with increased revenue—which rose by 20 percent to exceed €16.4 million—generated an economic impact of over €265 million, according to criteria adopted by the sector through AFE – Asociación de Ferias Españolas, and using indicators referenced in the 2024 Study on the Meetings Industry in Málaga. This represents a 37 percent increase compared to the previous year. The impact includes direct revenues associated with event execution, such as the average daily spending of attendees or planning and production costs, indirect effects resulting from hiring local suppliers, and induced effects linked to the general stimulation of consumption in the region as a result of these activities.

Málaga, a global meeting point for connectivity and photonics in 2026

The trend toward specialization in advanced sectors, professionalization, and internationalization continues in 2026. One of the year’s main milestones is the convergence of three major events: EuCNC & 6G Summit 2026 (June 2–5), where international telecommunications experts will address topics ranging from 5G deployment and mobile IoT to 6G exploration and future systems and networks; ECOC 2026 – European Conference on Optical Communications (September 20–24); and the Global Photonics Economic Forum 2026 (September 24–25). These events position Málaga as a global hub for discussions on disruptive and transformative technologies and confirm its role as a space where cutting-edge knowledge is generated and shared, with all the implications this entails for international projection, promotion and talent attraction, as well as the attraction of companies and investment.

They will take center stage in a calendar that began in January with new editions of Retro Auto & Moto Málaga, Classic, Vintage, and Collector Vehicles Show, and H&T – Innovation in Hospitality, FYCMA’s longest-running fair and an example of sector leadership, having brought together more than 600 companies and organizations across three fully occupied pavilions. In addition, yesterday marked the start of the 41st Congress of the Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SEME), a flagship event which, unlike most annual medical-sanitary gatherings, has had a stable FYCMA venue for over ten years. At the same time, the 7th Congress of the Spanish Society of Hair Restoration is also taking place. Both events will continue until Saturday, February 14.

The program continues from February 24 with a new edition of Transfiere – European Forum for Science, Technology, and Innovation, celebrating its fifteenth anniversary as Spain’s leading R&D&I gathering. Notably, running in parallel with Transfiere, and sharing synergies between the two events, is the III GINI Global Innopolis Forum, where companies, universities, and R&D centers share experiences and global collaboration opportunities, strengthening international ties and promoting knowledge transfer between different innovation ecosystems. The Global Innopolis Network Initiative (GINI) is an international network, in which Málaga has participated since its founding in 2023, bringing together leading R&D&I cities such as Daejeon (South Korea), Dortmund (Germany), Quebec (Canada), and Montgomery County and Seattle (USA), with the goal of promoting science, technology, and urban innovation as drivers of sustainable development and intercity cooperation. On February 26, Feriabus – National Bus & Coach Fair will open, concluding a month where professional events dominate.

In March, the calendar will feature Mobility Expo World Congress – MOW 2026 (March 10–11), Europe’s largest multisector business platform for the mobility industry. Later, the Employment Fair organized by the Instituto Municipal para la Formación y el Empleo (IMFE) will take place on March 12, as well as the 5th Andalusian Cybersecurity Congress on March 24–25.

From April 16–19, HYROX Málaga will transform FYCMA into a top-level sports facility, hosting a competition that gains popularity each year and attracts participants from across Europe. May and June will see high activity in technology, digital economy, health, and business, with events including the EFORT Annual Congress Málaga (May 4–6), the National Congress of Pediatric Neurology (SENEP) (May 14–16), the IAGTO European Convention (May 19–20), DES – Digital Enterprise Show (June 9–11), the 15th edition of eCongress Málaga (June 19), and CM Málaga, Culture & Museums International Tech Forum, closing the month on June 22–23.

In July, Talent Land Spain will take place (July 8–10), and in the last quarter of the year, leading forums, congresses, and sector-specific exhibitions will follow, including Greencities, Urban Intelligence and Smart Mobility (September 15–16); the 21st Legal Congress of Málaga (October 15–16); the 44th Congress of the Spanish Society of Senology and Breast Pathology (October 22–24); Expo Agritech – 4.0 Field Fair (November 3–5); SIMED – Mediterranean Real Estate Fair (November 12–14); and Andalucía Management (December 3), once again bringing together top executives from across Andalusia.

This is just a preview of a broader calendar, which will continue to incorporate new events in the coming months, including conventions—such as San Diego Comic Con Málaga, whose date will be announced shortly—workshops, smaller meetings, concerts, and shows. The full program can be consulted on the FYCMA website www.fycma.com