> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Over 5,000 Attend SAGA Barcelona Game Fest Opening - URL: https://barna.news/over-5-000-attend-saga-barcelona-game/ - Published: 2026-10-09T20:50:31.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-09T20:51:26.000Z - Description: The inaugural SAGA Barcelona Game Fest welcomed more than 5,000 visitors on its first day at Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc. - Author: Barna.News - Tags: whats-on ## First Day Draws Strong Public and Professional Turnout More than 5,000 people attended the first day of the SAGA Barcelona Game Fest at Fira de Barcelona's Montjuïc venue on Friday 9 October 2026, marking the launch of what organisers aim to become Southern Europe's major video games event. Over 600 business meetings took place through the MeetToMatch networking platform, which facilitates connections between game developers, publishers, investors and media. The professional area hosted representatives from 29 publishers, 22 of them international, with targets set for 1,500 business meetings across the three-day event. A total of 2,000 students and teachers also attended, participating in the launch of the UB Alma Mater university esports league for League of Legends, a new competition involving the University of Barcelona. --- ## Institutional Support and Industry Focus An institutional visit opened the event, with Héctor Calvo López, director of the Centre for the Coordination of Cultural Industries, and Clara Gutiérrez Señas, deputy assistant director, joined by Francesc Xavier Vila, Minister for Linguistic Policy of the Generalitat. Marta Salicrú, Commissioner for the Social Use of Catalan at Barcelona City Council, and Nadia Quevedo, Commissioner for Economic Promotion, Commerce and Restoration, toured the exhibition halls. The presence of Nintendo as a key partner was highlighted, with an official stand allowing attendees to test recent releases. Japan is the guest country for this inaugural edition, underscoring cultural and industry ties. Interviews were scheduled with renowned Japanese video game composers Miki Higashino and Manami Matsumae. > What we have built is much more than a fair. It is a shared space where the industry, creators, institutions, and the public move forward in the same direction. , Tina Font, spokesperson for SAGA Barcelona Game Fest The festival also features over 500 gaming stations, 150 classic arcade machines, and more than 200 independent games on display. Esports competitions include exhibition matches between FC Barcelona’s professional Valorant women’s team and the University of Barcelona’s League of Legends team, UB Alma Mater. - The event runs from 9 to 11 October 2026 - Open to the public from 10:00 CEST daily - 14,000 m² exhibition space at Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc - More than 30 international publishers and investors present Professional passes include access to the MeetToMatch platform and mentorship sessions sponsored by Larian Games, the Belgian studio behind Baldur’s Gate 3\. The programme aims to strengthen Barcelona’s position in the global games industry, with a focus on Catalan-language development and international collaboration. --- *Primary sources:* [*eb.ub.edu*](https://web.ub.edu/ca/web/actualitat/w/ub-alma-mater-elit-estatal?ref=barna.news)*. Reported by europapress.es, dani@indiedevday.es, keengamer.com, sagabarcelonagamefest.cat, otakukart.com, holirun.es, meettomatch.com, Europa Press Barcelona.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [Cerdanyola Blues Festival Opens 2 Oct](https://barna.news/cerdanyola-blues-festival-opens-2-oct/) - [Barcelona Dibuixa 2026: 48 Artists, 48 Spaces](https://barna.news/barcelona-dibuixa-2026-48-artists-48/) - [Ciutat Flamenco 2026 to spotlight Catalan talent](https://barna.news/ciutat-flamenco-2026-to-spotlight/) - [Kiefer Exhibition Opens at La Pedrera](https://barna.news/kiefer-exhibition-opens-at-la-pedrera/)