The Expansion

When you’re planning a large-scale international congress, venue options in Europe narrow quickly.

René Haller, Account Director at MCI Switzerland, the professional congress organiser managing the ESCRS Annual Congress taking place on 11 to 15 September 2026, explained the challenge: “Given the size of our annual congress, typically 15,000 to 16,000 delegates, there are limited venues in Europe that can accommodate an event of this scale. Excel London was chosen for its available space, competitive pricing, and strong support, including business event funding.”

Excel’s £220 million expansion was built to address exactly that need: the ability to host major conventions alongside substantial exhibition space, all within a single, connected venue. The expansion increased the venue’s size to 125,000 sqm, making it Europe’s largest fully integrated convention and exhibition centre.

The London Advantage

London’s appeal to international associations has never been questioned. The city consistently ranks among the world’s top destinations, named TripAdvisor’s 2025 World’s Top Destination, Resonance’s 2025 Best City in Europe, and ranked among Cvent’s top meeting destinations. What has changed is how delegates experience that appeal while attending events at Excel.

The Elizabeth line has brought Excel closer to the rest of London. Central London’s major hotel districts, cultural venues, restaurants, and attractions now sit within easy reach. Delegates attending congresses at Excel can explore the West End, visit South Bank, or experience the city’s historic landmarks without the distance becoming a deterrent. The venue now functions as an integrated part of the city’s offering. 

Marije Koops, Congress Manager for the Annual European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress taking place March 13 to 16, 2026 and expecting over 10,000 delegates, explained the venue choice: “We selected Excel London because it combines scale, flexibility, and accessibility, ideal for a congress of our size, especially with the new Maritime expansion now available. The venue’s excellent transport links, modern infrastructure, and experienced teams allow us to deliver a high-quality event efficiently.”

Excel’s Royal Docks location, with its waterfront setting and ongoing regeneration, provides contemporary surroundings. For international delegates, London City Airport is located nearby, while Heathrow and Eurostar connections ensure accessibility from across Europe and beyond. The result is a purpose-built venue with the scale and facilities major congresses require, now directly connected to everything that makes London a destination worth choosing.

Sustainability & Legacy

Sustainability is a core consideration in venue selection, and the Excel expansion has been designed to meet those expectations. The new facilities proudly achieve BREEAM Excellent certification – an internationally recognised benchmark for sustainable building performance.

From the outset, the expansion prioritised low-carbon materials and construction methods, reducing both embodied carbon and emissions during the build. It also delivered a 15% biodiversity net gain, introduced vibrant public green spaces, and improved access to the waterfront – enhancing the venue’s connection to the local environment.

Additionally, Excel partners with organisers who are committed to creating lasting impact. As associations increasingly seek to demonstrate their environmental and social responsibility, Excel offers a venue where sustainability is embedded into daily operations, whilst also providing support for social initiatives through their IMPACT Programme. This ensures every event contributes to a meaningful legacy.

As Haller shared, “The venue’s carbon-neutral commitment also aligned with ESCRS’s sustainability strategy, which was an important factor in our decision.” For associations developing similar strategies, finding venues that can support these commitments has become essential.

Another case in point: the ESC

For the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), choosing a host city for its annual congress requires a long list of criteria, from venue capabilities and accessibility to sustainability, healthcare compliance, and local collaboration. “Only a limited number of destinations in Europe can meet the requirements of the ESC Congress,” explains Nata Nambatingué, Congress & Event Director at the ESC. “London ticks all those boxes, and Excel stands out as a state-of-the-art venue.” The city’s exceptional connectivity has been, he says, “a real game changer.” The area surrounding the venue has also evolved significantly, offering delegates seamless integration with the rest of the city.

When ESC last visited London in August 2024, the Excel expansion was nearing completion. “We had the opportunity to visit the construction site in its final phase and were impressed by how much it will enhance the venue, making it even more attractive and functional,” notes Nambatingué. As ESC prepares to mark its 75^th anniversary, returning to the city where its very first congress took place in 1952 feels particularly meaningful. He adds that Excel’s flexibility, its pillar-free spaces and experienced on-site teams, together with the support of London & Partners, make it an ideal partner for complex events of this scale. “Gathering more than 30,000 delegates is no small task,” he says, “and the level of professionalism and collaboration we receive from Excel’s teams continues to be outstanding.”

A Record Year

In 2026, Excel will welcome 80,000 delegates, generating an estimated £250 million in economic impact, while demonstrating cross-sector appeal. Medical associations, technology innovators, legal professionals, and scientific researchers have all selected the venue for their flagship gatherings.

Spanning nine months, the schedule includes INTA 2026 in May, EULAR 2026 in June, AAIC 2026 in July, and EuMW 2026 in October, among others, with many events utilising the new ICC Maritime expansion. The diversity demonstrates how Excel can now accommodate different sectors, each with its own specialised requirements and capacity needs.

To explore how Excel can support your event, visit www.excel.london/organiser or email salesenquiries@excel.london.