Cisco Live, the premier annual conference for IT and networking professionals, is to return to London for the first time in 14 years after confirming a new multi-year deal with Excel – further signifying the venue’s allure for flagship European events.
Held from 8 – 12 February 2027, Cisco Live 2027 London will take exclusive use of Excel’s 125,000 sqm venue, including the newly opened 25,000 sqm expansion, which was built as part of its recent £350 million investment programme.
Attended by some 21,000 IT professionals from around 100 countries, Cisco Live first originated in 1990 as Networkers and has since grown to become one of the leading global technology events, featuring keynote speakers, technical and IT leadership breakouts, hands-on labs, and a large show floor spanning innovations in everything from cybersecurity to AI. Cisco itself is widely regarded as the ‘backbone’ of internet infrastructure, with over 85% of all internet traffic flowing through its hardware and software systems.
Key to Cisco’s decision process was Excel’s substantial investment in the installation of next-generation 5G and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, arriving in autumn 2026. Its new 5G network will enable up to 200,000 mobile devices to connect simultaneously, representing a fourfold increase in capacity and ensuring seamless connectivity for delegates. Meanwhile, Excel’s new Wi-Fi 7 system will offer organisers and exhibitors the latest and fastest Wi-Fi, producing superfast speeds whilst decreasing latency.
In addition, Excel’s continued investment in and enhancement of its digital wayfinding and food and beverage offerings, together with its sustainability credentials – which include a net zero target of 2045 – were central to the decision to choose Excel.
Excel’s Executive Director James Rees commented: “Cisco and Excel share a long and successful collaboration together; in fact, they were one of the first early adopters of Excel’s previous expansion in 2010 when we created London’s first-ever International Convention Centre. It is an honour to be welcoming Cisco back once again, this time incorporating our new state-of-the-art expansion and allowing us to fully support the growth of this flagship event.”
“Our recent investment plans, complemented by London’s recent investment in transport and hotel infrastructure, are designed to enhance every element of the customer journey and have proved a ‘magnet’ for attracting landmark European and North American conferences to the UK capital.”
Joanne Fielding, Leader, Cisco Live EMEA, added: “We’re very excited to be returning to Excel and London in 2027. Since our last London event in 2013, Excel is almost unrecognisable following the changes and investment made by the team, which I know will give our delegates the very best possible experience. In addition to the connectivity enhancements, we were particularly impressed with Excel’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, which aligns perfectly with our own Circular Design Principles, helping businesses reduce their energy consumption and improve efficiency.”
She added: “London remains a critical market for us too, serving as a global tech hub for innovation, sector-specific professionals, as well as being ranked one of Europe’s leading cities for AI.”
Today’s announcement – made during London Tech Week – also comes at a pivotal time for Excel, with 2026 set to be a record year for new corporate business, in addition to hosting an unprecedented 10 major international associations. The venue is also embarking on a further multi-million-pound investment programme as part of its mission to become the best event destination in the world and was recently ranked fourth in the Travel and Tour World Top 100 Convention Centres.
For more information on Cisco Live, visit www.ciscolive.com/emea.
