Informa Expands Into Gaming With Major Clarion Events Acquisition

Informa PLC, a British events and publishing company, has agreed to buy Clarion Events from Blackstone for £2.24 billion ($3 billion). This deal will add ICE Barcelona, a leading gambling industry exhibition, to Informa's global events lineup.

The acquisition, announced on October 6, 2026, marks a major consolidation in the global B2B exhibition market. The deal should close by the end of 2026, pending regulatory approval.
Clarion runs over 100 specialist event brands in industries like gaming, technology, defense, and consumer electronics. Informa sees gaming as a fast-growing area that will boost its international exhibition business.

What the Acquisition Means for ICE Barcelona

The biggest immediate change for the global gambling industry is that ICE Barcelona will have new owners.
ICE, organized by Clarion Gaming, gathers casino operators, game developers, tech providers, regulators, payment companies, and other industry players.
The acquisition will also bring Clarion's wider gaming events portfolio. The deal will also add Clarion's other gaming events, like iGB L!VE, to Informa's group.t Fira Barcelona Gran Via. If the transaction closes as planned, the event will take place under Informa ownership, although Clarion's existing management is expected to remain responsible for operations during the initial integration period.

This change could open the door for more international participation, especially as Informa grows its events in emerging markets.
However, no specific changes to ICE's format, exhibitor. So far, there have been no announcements about changes to ICE's format, pricing, or visitor experience. The announced agreement, Clarion has an enterprise value of £2.24 billion, equivalent to approximately 11.1 times its expected 2027 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).

Informa will fund the purchase with dedicated loans and about £940 million in new equity.
Informa expects Clarion to bring in over £575 million in revenue in 2027 and sees about £50 million in yearly cost savings from merging the two companies.
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Clarion CEO Lisa Hannant will stay in her role and join Informa's leadership team. At first, the focus will be on keeping current events running smoothly and meeting 2027 business goals.

Why the Deal Matters for the Global iGaming Industry

This acquisition shows that specialized industry exhibitions are becoming more important for business.
For gambling tech suppliers, international trade shows are still key places to launch products, make deals, build partnerships, and enter new markets.
Bringing ICE Adding ICE and other Clarion Gaming events to Informa's network could help connect the gambling industry with related fields like fintech, cybersecurity, AI, and digital payments.y also provide opportunities to develop new events in markets where regulated gambling is expanding.

Nevertheless, greaStill, having fewer owners in the exhibition space brings up business questions for operators and suppliers. Exhibitors will watch to see whether the new ownership changes costs, sponsorships, event locations, or competition at gaming conferences. Potential implications rather than confirmed operational changes.

Informa Sharpens Its Focus on Live Events

Buying Clarion is part of a bigger plan to reshape Informa's business.
At the same time, Informa plans to spin off its academic publishing arm, Taylor & Francis, so it can focus more on professional markets and live events.
The combined events business is expected Together, the events business will run over 1,000 specialist brands in more than 30 countries, with yearly revenue topping $6 billion.n will contribute to earnings growth from 2027.

What Happens Next?

The deal still needs standard regulatory approval and is expected to close in late 2026.
For ICE Barcelona exhibitors and visitors, the main focus now is making sure the January event goes ahead as planned.
The long-term impact should become clearer in 2027, as Informa figures out how Clarion Gaming fits into its global plans.

For the iGaming sector, the acquFor the iGaming industry, this deal is more than just a change in who owns the exhibition. It shows that big international events companies view gambling and gaming as promising markets with room for more investment and growth.

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