The unique, in-depth, independent evaluation system of meeting destinations is based on the Meeting Experience Index of destinations, which comprises an analysis of over 75 qualitative criteria. The methodology goes beyond classic comparisons that focus solely on the number of events hosted at destinations, also evaluating and contrasting their maximum capacities, resilience, and the actual needs of event organisers.
XL MEETING DESTINATIONS
Destinations that can host more than 2,000 congress attendees (40 evaluated destinations in 2026)
Winner: COPENHAGEN, Denmark, final score: 4.820
Copenhagen is a meeting destination that consistently reshapes how events are conceived and delivered. While the term Meetovation is no longer used formally, its principles remain embedded in the city’s event culture, with a strong focus on content, authenticity and participant experience. Copenhagen is also a global leader in sustainability, from architecture and local food to responsible event practices.
Benchmarking insight: Other destinations can learn from Copenhagen’s ability to embed sustainability and innovation into everyday destination management, reinforcing its position as the best XL Meeting Destination 2025.
2nd place: VIENNA, Austria, final score: 4.790
Vienna is a meeting destination built around the needs of event attendees and planners. As a future-oriented smart city, it offers excellent accessibility, efficient public transport, green spaces, and a strong focus on sustainability. Seamless travel, including fast airport connections, remains a key advantage. Vienna’s well-structured governance model, meeting subsidies, and transparent reporting underpin its long-term success.
Benchmarking insight: Destinations should look to Vienna as a model of how strategic governance, data-driven management and consistent branding can sustain leadership in international rankings.
3rd place: AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, final score: 4.770
Amsterdam is a mature meeting destination offering excellent connectivity, diverse venues and strong international accessibility. Supported by the Amsterdam Convention Bureau, the city provides structured planning assistance in close cooperation with key industry partners. Amsterdam increasingly prioritises meetings with long-term value, focusing on sustainability, inclusiveness, and alignment with local knowledge sectors, positioning the city as a stable and future-oriented meetings hub.
Benchmarking insight: Other destinations can learn from Amsterdam’s coordinated destination management and its focus on impact-driven events supported by strong partnerships.
4th place: HELSINKI, Finland, final score: 4.756
In 2025, the fully renovated Finlandia Hall reopened its doors after a two-year transformation. This state-of-the-art congress venue now attracts conference guests, visitors, and enthusiasts of design and architecture. In 2025, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre Messukeskus introduced the new arena stands, which can seat 7500 in theatre style. Messukeskus is also growing along with the city of Helsinki and will build Solar, an event space of the future where architecture and experience blend seamlessly. Once completed in 2027, Solar will be one of the most modern event spaces in the Nordics. In 2025, Helsinki got its first Waldorf Astoria hotel.
Benchmarking insight: Dynamic, well-connected, and full of character, business event organising in Helsinki blends modern infrastructure, rich culture, and high-quality local services.
5th place: LISBON, Portugal, final score: 4.750
Lisbon is a historical city full of stories to tell. A city where the sun shines 290 days a year and where you feel safe wandering around day or night. Lisbon is an authentic city where old customs and ancient history intermix with cultural entertainment and hi-tech innovation. The city’s rich cultural heritage continues to grow every day. Lisbon is a dream destination for foodies, wine lovers, critics and the curious. The famous bacalhau (salted cod), in its various forms, is not to be missed.
Benchmarking insight: Sun-drenched terraces are the perfect setting for memorable mid-sized and large-scale events in the Portugese capital.
5th place: PRAGUE, Czech Republic, final score: 4.750
Prague is frequently cited as a benchmark example of a convention bureau operating successfully through a public–private partnership model. Since launching its strategic transformation in 2008, the Prague Convention Bureau has evolved into a compact, highly professional team that has helped reposition the city on the international meetings map. Today, Prague competes confidently with leading European destinations and consistently ranks among the top ten in the XL category. A diverse meeting offer, strong creative agencies, and a well-managed destination image support its long-term competitiveness.
Benchmarking insight: Other destinations can learn from Prague’s long-term commitment to public–private cooperation, focused destination branding and consistent investment in professional convention bureau leadership.
6th place: BARCELONA, Spain, final score: 4.749
The Catalan capital’s appeal as a meeting destination shows no signs of slowing. Tourism’s role in the city’s development is pivotal, but overtourism may be a concern for the authorities. Despite the recent troubles that rocked the Spanish boat, Barcelona remains a world-leading event hub. Its new, exceptional venues, coupled with the architectural heritage of Gaudí and other famed architects and artists, make it a compelling choice for large international gatherings. Above all, Catalan hospitality and culinary prowess make the destination a hotspot for events.
Benchmarking insight: One of the reasons meeting professionals flock to Barcelona is IBTM World, matched only by Frankfurt-based IMEX in terms of size.
7th place: MADRID, Spain, final score: 4.729
Madrid is a lively, welcoming and cosmopolitan city where congress guests feel at home. Madrid offers a comfortable and safe setting, where indulging in a spot of leisure is just as enjoyable as doing business. Its abundant artistic and natural heritage, state-of-the-art transport network, the quality of its accommodation, excellent gastronomy and the passion with which the people of Madrid enjoy both day and night make the capital of Spain one of the most attractive cities in Europe.
Benchmarking insight: Madrid is the top meeting destination in Spain, the world’s second city in terms of green spaces and the third one with the best facilities for organizing international events.
8th place: PARIS, France, final score: 4.711
Paris, a legendary city, has inspired artists, photographers and musicians throughout the ages. Each year, around 400 fairs and trade shows are held in Paris, drawing nearly 10 million visitors and 100,000 exhibitors. Paris tops the list of congress destinations; the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), a point of reference for the sector, recently declared Paris the world’s leading city for hosting international congresses. Paris also has a plethora of venues for meetings and events, including 17 congress and exhibition centres and 1,000 classic, modern and unusual venues.
Benchmarking insight: As one of the largest cities in the world, Paris enjoys an enviable reputation and has a slew of world-class venues for events.
9th place: ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands, final score: 4.710
Rotterdam’s strategic location in Western Europe, its status as Europe’s largest port, and its nearby airport make it an easily accessible city by air, road, sea, and rail. Rotterdam effortlessly accommodates large congresses and events for the MICE industry. Whether you are organising a congress, exhibition, meeting or business event, the city of Rotterdam offers state-of-the-art venues and the latest digital and technical infrastructure to guarantee optimal results. Rotterdam focuses on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity and strives to become the most resilient city in Europe.
Benchmarking insight: Rotterdam is a premier, modern event destination known for its innovative architecture and excellent accessibility.
10th place: ROME, Italy, final score: 4.698
Roma is the city of eternal charm. It was the first great metropolis built by humanity and the capital of the Roman Empire. Its historical centre has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Roma boasts the highest concentration of monuments and archaeological sites in the world. It is also the City of Great Beauty. Every corner, street, church or neighbourhood has stories, secrets and legends to tell that have grown over time. Roma is an immense theatre with sumptuous scenery.
Benchmarking insight: The Eternal City has gained fame in the industry thanks to the Bea World Festival that convenes leading event agencies every year.
We sincerely congratulate all the destinations that competed in this year’s Meetings Star competition.
Explore more about the Meetings Star Award here.
