About This Show
Web Summit is one of the world's largest technology conferences, held annually in Lisbon, Portugal. The 2026 edition runs 9-12 November across the MEO Arena and the neighboring FIL exhibition halls in Parque das Nações. The venue is the same building older listings call the Altice Arena - it reverted to the MEO Arena name in February 2024.
Not a conventional trade fair
Web Summit is a conference first and an exhibition second, and the exhibition works differently from a trade fair. Most exhibiting companies are early-stage startups on a one-day stand, so the floor turns over during the week rather than staying fixed. There is no persistent exhibitor directory to plan a route around weeks out - discovery happens in the event app. For many attendees the draw is the investor density and the structured meetings program rather than the products on the floor.
The four days are not four equal days either. Monday 9 November is Opening Night (18:00-20:00 on Centre Stage, followed by Late Night Summit), and the full conference days run Tuesday to Thursday.
Scale and program
The 2025 edition drew 71,386 attendees from 157 countries, 2,725 exhibiting startups from 108 countries, 1,857 investors from 86 countries (up 74% on 2024, the largest investor turnout in the event's history), 869 speakers and 1,519 media. The 2026 program runs 17 content tracks, several of which carry their own sub-brand and behave like small conferences inside the main one: Venture Summit, MoneyConf, Marketing Summit, Policy Summit and New Media Summit.
Startups do not book a booth. They apply to the startup program and, if accepted, are placed in one of three tiers - ALPHA (pre-investment or under $1 million raised), BETA (launched successfully) or GROWTH (scaling globally, often more than $3 million raised). More than 22,000 startups applied in 2025 and roughly 2,700 were selected. Companies that are not startups exhibit through partnership instead; confirmed 2026 partners include Intel, IBM, TikTok, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Atlassian, Datadog and Twilio.
Getting there
Oriente station on the Lisbon Metro red line is about 300 meters from the MEO Arena and 600 meters from registration at the Pavilhão de Portugal. The red line also serves Humberto Delgado Airport, where Terminal 1 hosts a second accreditation point - so arriving attendees can collect their badge before boarding the metro.
Web Summit has been in Lisbon since 2016, and a ten-year agreement with the Portuguese government signed in 2018 keeps it there through 2028.
For ticket prices, the full startup exhibiting breakdown, venue rules and Lisbon logistics, see our Web Summit 2026 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Web Summit 2026?+
Web Summit 2026 runs Monday 9 to Thursday 12 November 2026 at the MEO Arena and the adjacent FIL halls, Rossio dos Olivais, Parque das Nações, Lisbon. Monday is Opening Night (18:00-20:00 on Centre Stage); Tuesday to Thursday are the full conference days.
How much does a Web Summit 2026 ticket cost?+
As of 21 September 2026, a general attendee ticket is €995 including tax (€809 excluding Portugal's 23% VAT), reduced from a €1,595 list price. VIP is €1,950 and Chairperson is €24,950. Group rates start at five tickets, from €895 each. Investors can apply for a free ticket subject to credential verification.
How big is Web Summit?+
Web Summit 2025 drew 71,386 attendees from 157 countries, 2,725 exhibiting startups from 108 countries, 1,857 investors from 86 countries, 869 speakers and 1,519 media.
Is Web Summit a trade fair or a conference?+
A conference with a startup exhibition attached. Most exhibiting companies are early-stage startups on a one-day stand, so the floor turns over during the week, and there is no persistent exhibitor directory to plan around. Discovery happens in the event app, and much of the value sits in the investor meetings and content program rather than the floor.
How do you exhibit at Web Summit?+
Startups apply to the startup program rather than booking a booth, and accepted companies are placed in the ALPHA, BETA or GROWTH tier by stage and funding. The package includes three tickets, one day of exhibition space and three days of Startup Lounge access. Companies that are not startups exhibit through partnership instead.
Why do some listings call the venue the Altice Arena?+
It is the same building. The arena was named the Altice Arena from 2017 until February 2024, when it reverted to MEO Arena. Older listings, hotel pages and third-party event sites still use the Altice name.
How do I get to the Web Summit venue?+
Oriente station on the Lisbon Metro red line is about 300 meters from the MEO Arena and 600 meters from registration at the Pavilhão de Portugal. The red line also serves Humberto Delgado Airport, and Terminal 1 has a second accreditation point, so you can collect your badge on arrival.
How often is Web Summit held?+
Annually, in Lisbon each November. A ten-year agreement with the Portuguese government signed in 2018 keeps the event in Lisbon through 2028. Web Summit also runs sister events in Doha, Vancouver and Rio de Janeiro.