Clarion Gaming to decide the future of ICE in the coming months

Clarion Gaming has begun the process of choosing the next city that will host the ICE igaming tradeshow from 2025 through to 2029.

The firm will work in partnership with event strategy and location specialist Equimore. Clarion has finalised a shortlist of four cities meeting the criteria it drafted to host future ICE events.

The four cities being considered are Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and ICE’s current host city London.

Each city will now have to put forward a formal bid to host the event, with the process expected to be completed later this year, with an announcement to follow in Q3.

Clarion Events group managing director of gaming Alex Pratt said that the team focuses on the stakeholders’ best interests and the entire igaming industry when it comes to choosing a host city.

The process will also involve iGB Affiliate London, with stakeholders of that community being involved in the decision-making process.

Pratt commented: “The four shortlisted cities will progress through a selection process with the help of the experienced and knowledgeable team at Equimore, which is overseeing every aspect of what is a robust programme.”

Pratt explained factors such as venue capacity, facilities and the ability to accommodate future event growth, as well as dates available, transport links and hospitality infrastructure such as hotels and dining options, would be taken into consideration.

He added: “By pursuing all due diligence, we will identify the city that’s best equipped to not only host an event which continues to play such a central role in helping to create opportunity and prosperity for gaming businesses of all sizes across every vertical and in every global jurisdiction but also demonstrates its leadership in the sector.

“In the interests of transparency Clarion will not be making any further comment during the official process,” Pratt concluded.

ICE London will take place next week at ExCel London from 6-9 February 2023.