The Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB), managed by Fira de Barcelona, will host the 40th edition of the Goya Awards on 28 February, the major annual event of Spanish cinema. With just days to go before the gala, the Auditori Fòrum CCIB is already undergoing a comprehensive transformation that will turn it into the stage for one of the most technically ambitious productions in its history. Marking its 40th anniversary, the Spanish Film Academy returns to Barcelona with a particularly symbolic edition, during which the venue will showcase its full technical capabilities in hosting a major live audiovisual production.
With a seating capacity of 3,084 and a 420 m² stage, one of the largest for indoor concerts in Europe, the Auditori Fòrum CCIB boasts infrastructure fully equipped to host large-scale productions. Its optimal acoustics, excellent sightlines from every seat, and fully adaptable configuration make it possible to stage technically complex events such as the Goya Awards.
For this 40th edition, the challenge will focus on several key areas that underscore the scale of the project. A central element of the technical setup will be a large-scale scenic design that will completely transform the Auditori Fòrum CCIB. The stage, measuring 30 meters long, 14 meters wide and 14 meters high, will undergo a full reconfiguration, featuring a visual concept that will stand out as one of the most remarkable technical achievements ever realized at the venue.
In technical terms, the suspension system for hanging elements will be one of the largest ever installed in the venue, supporting both the set design and audiovisual components. Complementing this setup is a high-performance sound system that will deliver an immersive experience, with sound pressure levels above the norm and a strong sense of dimensionality.
More than a thousand professionals
The scale of the production will involve over a thousand professionals, including teams from production, event management, and television, as well as rigging, sound, lighting, and audiovisual technicians, catering staff, and personnel responsible for logistics, security, and cleaning. In addition to the Auditori Fòrum CCIB, a portion of the Convention Centre building -which completes the CCIB complex- will be transformed to accommodate pre-gala areas, including the red carpet and the photocall.
The CCIB, internationally acclaimed for its excellence in hosting major congresses and conventions, also boasts a distinguished track record at the Auditori Fòrum CCIB. Over the past 22 years, it has staged more than 325 shows, welcoming world-renowned singers and performers such as John Legend, Diana Krall, Bradley Cooper, Hugh Jackman, Tom Hanks, Ricky Gervais, Tom Waits, and Joan Manuel Serrat, among many others.
Barcelona is infused with cinema
Beyond the gala, hosted by Luis Tosar and Rigoberta Bandini, the days leading up to the 40th edition of the Goya Awards will feature activities open to the public, including cultural, educational, and social initiatives designed to bring cinema closer to the city. A standout event will be a meeting with actress Susan Sarandon, who will receive the 2026 International Goya in Barcelona.
With this event, the CCIB reinforces its standing as a premier venue for top-tier events and reaffirms its commitment to culture, creativity, and the audiovisual industries, while contributing to the economic and cultural vitality of the city.
