The 2026 edition of iGB Affiliate has officially rewritten the game, concluding yesterday at the Fira Gran Via with unprecedented numbers that underscore Barcelona’s status as the new capital of the iGaming affiliate world. Running from January 20–21, the event delivered its largest-ever show, boasting a 20% increase in size compared to 2025 and nearly doubling the footprint of its 2022 London predecessor.
Occupying Halls 8 and 8.1 with a dedicated “North Access” entrance, the event welcomed a projected 11,000+ attendees and broke the 200-exhibitor barrier for the first time, featuring 203 exhibitors and sponsors, including 73 companies making their debut.
A Global “Power of Play”
While the sheer scale was impressive, the content reflected a maturing and increasingly global industry. The conference agenda was dominated by “business-building” strategies for emerging markets, with a standout “Global Markets Head-to-Head” session pitting the US, Latin America, and Africa against one another to identify the highest ROI opportunities.
“iGB Affiliate has the scale and credibility to act as a bellwether for sentiment, innovation, and growth across the industry,” noted Nikolas Monti-Potsolakis, CEO of Black Lantern, reflecting the optimistic mood on the floor.
From SEO to AIEO: The Tech Shift
Technology, specifically the disruption of search by AI, was a central theme. The highly anticipated “SEO to AIEO”panel challenged affiliates to transition from traditional ranking strategies to becoming “direct answers” in AI search results. This was complemented by a packed, “off-the-record” “Ask Google Anything” session featuring Google Ads consultant Camillo Cortesi, offering delegates rare, unfiltered insights into the search giant’s 2026 roadmap.
Networking Reimagined
Clarion Gaming delivered on its promise to overhaul the networking experience with its largest-ever investment in social infrastructure. The new iGB Hangout served as the show’s beating heart, featuring live DJs, tattoo salons, and immersive brand activations, while the iGB Oasis offered a calmer, open-air networking environment in the Sky Garden.
The “festival-style” floor plan also facilitated over 1.5 million estimated business engagements across World Gaming Week, proving that the move to Barcelona has successfully merged high-volume business with a vibrant social atmosphere.
Looking Ahead
As the breakdown begins at the Fira Gran Via, the verdict is clear: the “Barcelona effect” is real. With attendance surging and satisfaction scores high, 2026 iGB Affiliate has firmly established itself not just as a support act to ICE, but as a tier-one event in its own right.
