London, England – ExCeL London, part of ADNEC Group, has opened its new, state-of-the-art 25,000 square metre extension, making it the largest integrated conference and exhibition centre in Europe.
This new addition has expanded the center’s global facilities by 25%, bringing the total area to 125,000 square meters (equivalent to 1.3 million square feet).
The center successfully hosted the first official event held in the new expansion, the final round of the Formula E electric car season. The opening also coincided with the celebration of ExCeL’s 25th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its development journey.
This expansion comes in response to growing demand from the UK, Europe, and North America, and is part of a comprehensive £350 million investment program launched by ADNEC Group to boost London’s business tourism economy, as part of ExCeL’s vision to become a leading global events destination.
The new facilities include an expanded international conference center, enabling ExCeL and London to compete to host Europe’s leading conferences, along with state-of-the-art exhibition halls, conference spaces, and meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology.
The expansion was implemented in accordance with the highest global sustainability standards, certified by the BREEAM global system, to include new public green spaces and an improved waterfront for pedestrians and cyclists. It is powered by 100% renewable energy, while the use of cement-free Cemfree has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 11,000 kilograms.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Chairman of ExCeL London and Managing Director and CEO of ADNEC Group, said: “The expansion of ExCeL represents a significant strategic milestone in the group’s growth journey, contributing to consolidating London’s position as a leading global events destination. He emphasized that the expansion enhances our competitiveness in attracting major international events, positively impacting the local economy by supporting thousands of businesses and creating jobs.”
He explained that the flexible spaces allow for hosting new types of events, increasing their annual number, and attracting leading global names in vital sectors such as technology and science. The additional space also provides greater opportunities for increasing revenues and achieving profit growth, thanks to improved occupancy rates and the ability to host larger, simultaneous events.
Jeremy Rees, CEO of ExCeL London, noted the overwhelming response and unprecedented bookings for the new extension, and for ExCeL as a whole, with 10 major international conferences confirmed for 2026 – a record number in a single year – reflecting London’s growing status as a leading global events destination.
ExCeL London and the new entertainment district, Emery London, currently host around 400 diverse events annually and welcome more than four million visitors, including one million from outside the UK. These numbers are expected to grow rapidly, further strengthening London’s position as a global capital for business and events.
This success confirms ADNEC Group’s ability to effectively manage its investments and its strategic vision since acquiring ExCeL in 2008. Since then, the center has witnessed continuous growth and remarkable development.
