Excel London hosts first event in new 25,000 sqm expansion

Excel London has hosted the inaugural event in its new 25,000 sqm expansion – making it the largest fully integrated conference and exhibition centre in Europe. 

The weekend’s season finale of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship marked the opening of the new purpose-built space, built by McLaren Construction, expanding the venue’s existing world-class facilities by a further 25 per cent – totalling 125,000 sqm.

Developed due to growing demand from the UK, Europe and North America, the expansion forms part of a wider £350 million investment programme from ADNEC Group in London’s business tourism economy, and forms part of Excel’s mission to become the best event destination in the world. 

Offering views of London’s skyline, the new facilities include an expanded International Convention Centre – allowing Excel and London to compete for a some of the largest congresses in Europe – together with ultra-modern exhibition halls, conference spaces and meeting rooms. 

Built to BREEAM sustainability standards, the expansion includes new public green spaces, an enhanced waterfront for pedestrians and cyclists and, like the entirety of Excel, uses 100 per cent renewable energy. In addition, the construction process saved more than 11,000kg of CO2e by using Cemfree, an ultra-low carbon masonry mortar. 

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, chairman of Excel London and MD and group CEO of ADNEC Group, said: “This expansion enhances our competitiveness to attract the largest international events, generating significant economic flows for the city, and supporting thousands of businesses and local jobs. The increased space directly translates into higher revenues and profits through improved occupancy rates and the ability to host larger and concurrent events.

“This expansion is the driver of our future growth, enabling us to better serve our clients and strengthen our role as a vital economic engine for London.”

Jeremy Rees, CEO of Excel London, added: “This expansion is a historic moment of pride not just for Excel in its 25th anniversary year, but for the entire city of London. It is not just an increase in space, but an investment in the future and a testament to our commitment to providing a world-class environment for world-class events…fitting therefore that the spectacle of Formula E should be the first.

“Interest and bookings for our new expansion, and Excel as a whole, are at unprecedented levels, with 10 major international congresses already confirmed for 2026 – a record for a single year –  and demonstrating London as a global events destination.”

Excel, together with its new entertainment district Immerse LDN, hosts more than 400 events annually, welcoming four million visitors – a quarter of these from overseas – with these figures expected to rise over the coming years. The venue was acquired by ADNEC Group in 2008 and, thanks to their investment and vision, has grown from strength to strength ever since.