From concert halls to a deep-space tracking station: Eventex names the top 100 venues of 2026

A concert hall in Spain has claimed first place in the Eventex Top 100 Event Venues 2026. The ranking, part of the Eventex Index for 2026, spans everything from major conference centers and stadiums to a European Space Agency deep-space tracking station and a museum studio tour — proof that award-winning events happen in far more places than a standard venue list would suggest.

Venues index overview

Built on three editions of Eventex Awards results — 2024, 2025, and 2026 — the Eventex Top 100 Event Venues 2026 draws on 3,851 entries from 79 countries. Of the 584 venues that earned points, 100 made the list.

• Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall, Bilbao, Spain — 1,798 points, 6 events, all 3 editions
• Costa Rica Convention Center, Heredia, Costa Rica — 1,455 points, 4 events, all 3 editions
• Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London, United Kingdom — 1,320 points, 5 events, all 3 editions
• Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — 1,102 points, 8 events, all 3 editions
• Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — 1,050 points, 3 events, all 3 editions

Across the ranking, points accumulate over multiple editions, rewarding consistency rather than a single standout moment.

Inside the ranking

• Conference centers still lead. The top four venues are all conference centers, and this is the most common type of venue across the ranking. 
• Culture and sport take the stage. Below the leaders, stadiums and arenas are the second most common type of venue, and a dozen museums, theaters, and heritage sites made the list.

The Gulf is a major venue market. Europe holds half the list, but the Gulf states follow with 20 venues, more than North America and Latin America combined. "The best venues do more than hold an event — they shape it. What unites the names leading this ranking isn't size or fame; it's this: they keep hosting work worth recognizing, year after year. That's a harder thing to earn than a single great night," says Ovanes Ovanessian, Co-founder of Eventex Awards.

The 2026 Eventex Index is available here.

About Eventex Awards

Founded in 2009 to celebrate creativity, innovation, and effectiveness in the industry, today Eventex Awards is the most esteemed international recognition in the world of events and experiential marketing. Every year, the awards highlight the best events, brand experiences, tech, suppliers, and venues from the world of events.

‍