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Barcelona selected to host Rotary International Convention 2029

Five-day event will welcome up to 20,000 participants from more than 140 countries and generate an estimated €68 million for the local economy

BARCELONA (Mar. 9, 2026) – Rotary International has announced Barcelona as the host of its annual international convention, to be held 2–6 June 2029 at the world-class Fira de Barcelona venue.

The membership service organization’s annual convention is expected to draw up to 20,000 Rotary members and participants. According to Rotary International, the event is projected to generate an estimated impact of €68 million for the local economy, with further benefits expected as delegates extend their stay in Barcelona and travel elsewhere in Spain and the wider Iberian region.

The 2029 convention will mark the second time Barcelona hosts Rotary’s flagship global event, following the city’s first Rotary International Convention in 2002, which attracted more than 16,800 registered participants from around the world.

Often described by attendees as a “mini-United Nations,” the Rotary International Convention brings together participants from more than 140 countries for plenary sessions, workshops, an exhibition of humanitarian projects, and cultural and networking events.

The 2002 convention in Barcelona featured Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. More recent gatherings have welcomed global leaders including Tawakkol Karman, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights advocate; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization; and Graça Machel, internationally recognized for her work in women’s and children’s rights.

“Rotary conventions are places where ideas, service and collaboration converge, bringing together people from around the world to share experiences, work on solutions and build lasting relationships,” said Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo. “We are pleased to return to Barcelona in 2029, a city with a strong international outlook and a proud history of welcoming our global Rotary community”.

The successful bid was led by Rotary members in Barcelona, with support from Rotary leaders across Spain and Portugal, local clubs in the metropolitan area, and key city partners including the Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Convention Bureau, and Fira de Barcelona. “Hosting the convention is both an honor and a responsibility,” said Sergio Aragón, Chair of the Barcelona 2029 Host Committee and member of the Rotary Club Barcelona Diagonal. “Barcelona’s civic spirit, cultural diversity and commitment to social progress closely align with Rotary’s values, and we look forward to showcasing that to our international guests”.

The convention will add to Barcelona's strong tradition of hosting major international events. "The choice of Barcelona to host the Rotary International Convention once again confirms the attractiveness and solvency of the city," said Jaume Collboni, Mayor of the City of Barcelona. "The convention offers the opportunity to position Barcelona internationally as a city aligned with humanitarian, cultural and pro-diversity values, while showcasing the culture, innovation and experiences of visitors to the city, generating a significant economic impact that should contribute to the city's legacy and return to the territory."

In the Iberian region, encompassing Spain and Portugal, more than 7,000 Rotary members volunteer their time to support projects with immediate social impact. Examples of this commitment in local communities include:

  • Food Security: Rotary clubs in Barcelona help provide more than 1.300 free meals every week to community dining services, with support from local hotels and volunteers.
  • Emergency Response: Following the recent catastrophic floods in Valencia and Andalusia, Rotary members across the region mobilized to deliver emergency aid, humanitarian supplies, and clean-up support.
  • Health and Innovation: Rotary members in Catalonia support initiatives ranging from hospital-at-home care to donations of medical equipment and fundraising for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

These local efforts reflect Rotary’s global reach. Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, improve maternal and child health, grow local economies and protect the environment. Over US$5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation to support these programs worldwide.

About Rotary: Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and creating lasting change. Rotary connects 1.2 million people of action from more than 45,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world, including more than 4,670 members across 250 clubs across Spain. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit rotary.org.

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