Clarion Gaming shortlists four European cities as potential future locations for ICE

ICE organizer Clarion Gaming announced Tuesday it has entered the next phase of its research and consultation programme to determine the future location of the major B2B gaming event.

In partnership with specialist consultants Equimore, a finalist shortlist of four cities has been identified, "all of which meet the exacting criterion set out in the process." The quartet of potential host cities comprises Barcelona, London, Madrid and Paris. 

Each city will be making a formal bid to host ICE for the period 2025 – 2029. The process will be completed later this year with an announcement scheduled for Q3 2023, explained Clarion.

Alex Pratt, Group Managing Director at Clarion Gaming, stated: "This robust process is customer-centric and the decision will be taken in the best interests of our stakeholders and of the global gaming industry. iGB Affiliate London is very much part of the process and we are engaging with iGB Affiliate stakeholders in order to identify their preferred strategic path.”

Pratt explained that the four short-listed cities will progress through a selection process "with the help of the experienced and knowledgeable team at Equimore," which is overseeing every aspect of the programme.

"In addition to the suitability of locations in terms of capacity, facilities and the ability to accommodate projected future growth the process also encompasses dateline availability, transport connectivity with the rest of the world as well as the broader hospitality infrastructure including accommodation costs,” Pratt pointed out. 

"By pursuing all due diligence we will identify the city that's best equipped to not only host an event that 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 demonstrate its leadership in the sector,” the executive concluded. 

The upcoming edition of ICE London will take place at ExCeL London February 7-9. In a recent interview with Yogonet, Stuart Hunter, Clarion Gaming Managing Director, commented on the showcase and what it means for the gaming industry.

At a record 51,466 square meters of net space, occupying 41 halls, ICE 2023 will be the biggest on record yet, bouncing back stronger than ever and featuring many renowned land-based gaming vendors that were absent from last year's meeting.

"Having so many of the world's most successful brands from every gaming vertical and every jurisdiction all together in one place is a phenomenal, not-to-be-missed opportunity for everyone involved in the gambling industry," Hunter told Yogonet.