Video: @iafastro / IG

Barcelona will not host the 2029 International Astronautical Congress (IAC), after the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) selected Geneva as the host city. The decision was announced on Friday 9 October 2026 during this year's IAC in Antalya, Turkey. Barcelona had been shortlisted alongside Geneva and Houston to host the world's leading space congress, which draws thousands of delegates from space agencies, industry and start-ups annually.

The Barcelona bid, co-led by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the Spanish Space Agency (AEE) and Catalonia's Department of Business and Labour, arrived in Antalya with 177 international endorsements. Of these, 77 came from members of the IAF itself. Support included the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), and national agencies from France, the UK, Brazil and others across five continents.

A high-level delegation travelled to Antalya to present the bid, led by Spain's Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, and Catalonia's Minister of Business and Labour, Miquel Sàmper. Institutions highlighted strong backing from key aerospace companies including Indra, Hispasat, Open Cosmos and Sateliot.

Institutional effort falls short

Sàmper defended "the quality of the bid" and praised collaboration between administrations. Hereu emphasized Barcelona's experience as a global congress city, stating the city "makes them its own and returns them enlarged". Despite the cross-government effort and broad sector support, the bid did not secure the hosting rights.

"Although the decision did not favour Barcelona, we will continue working to strengthen the space ecosystem, promote international collaboration, and turn bold ideas into projects with significant impact."

This statement was posted by Maria Galindo, Secretary for Digital Policies in the Catalan government, on her LinkedIn account following the announcement. She also congratulated Geneva's bid and thanked the IAF for its leadership in fostering global cooperation in space.

Geneva to host IAC 2029

Swissmem, the Swiss mechanical and electrical engineering industry association, confirmed in a 9 October press release that Geneva will host the 2029 IAC. The event rotates annually between countries, with each edition organised by a local host in coordination with the IAF. Hosting the congress brings significant visibility and economic activity to the host city, attracting global experts, investors and policymakers in the space sector.

Reported by en.ara.cat, ARA, ieec.cat, diaricatalunya.cat, aeros-ecosystem.com, Last update: 09.10.2026, aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org, Diari ARA.