UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the 2025 edition of its annual World Map of Exhibition Venues, providing an in-depth analysis of the global exhibition venue landscape. The report tracks 1,530 venues, representing a combined total of 44.3 million square meters (sqm) of gross indoor exhibition space. China leads the global ranking for venue capacity, followed by the USA and Germany. Additionally, 22 key markets each offer over 300,000 sqm of exhibition space.
The availability of exhibition space remains a critical driver of the global exhibition industry, and this comprehensive report, conducted in collaboration with jwc GmbH, offers key insights into the ongoing evolution of venue capacity worldwide. The report highlights global and regional trends, with detailed profiles of the 22 major markets contributing over 300,000 sqm each. These insights serve as a vital benchmark for industry planning and development.
UFI CEO and Managing Director, Chris Skeith OBE, states, “Exhibition venues are a core component of the industry’s growth, and this year’s World Map demonstrates how dynamic the venue landscape has become. The Asia-Pacific region has outpaced Europe in total exhibition space for the second consecutive year, reflecting shifting global momentum. The continuing investment in venue development globally shows the industry’s confidence in the future of face-to-face business.”
Jochen Witt, President and CEO of jwc GmbH, adds, “The expansion of venue capacity demonstrates the long-term resilience and confidence of the global exhibition industry. This report highlights new opportunities and how investments in modern infrastructure are shaping the future of exhibitions across all regions.”
The report reveals that Asia-Pacific now accounts for 38.1% of global venue capacity, surpassing Europe (36.3%) for the second year in a row. North America ranks third with 17.2%. China continues to be the world’s largest exhibition market, holding 30.9% of total venue capacity, followed by the USA (14.3%) and Germany (7.1%).
Mega venues with over 100,000 sqm of exhibition space have increased to 81 worldwide, with Europe and Asia-Pacific leading with 38 each, while North America hosts 4 and the Middle East & Africa has 1. The 2025 edition also includes newly added venues in Barbados, Jamaica, and Uganda, extending the global scope of the data.
