It’s no secret that conferences in our industry are something of an attack on the senses. Anyone who has frequented exhibitions in the wonderful world of gaming will know that ringing ears, dehydration and a sore head at the end of the week are just part of the deal.
Those familiar with the affiliate sector will understand, however, that the party is more the just part of the exhibition – it’s the whole thing. And there’s nowhere that does it bigger than iGB Live.
Affiliates are go...
Speed-walking through the winding halls of Barcelona’s Fira Gran Via to iGB Affiliate 2026, the conveyor belt propels the noise of ICE into the background to be replaced by a thunderous affiliate roar leaking steadily from hall 8.0 of this imperious conference space. Stepping into world’s only dedicated iGaming affiliate event, the shift in dynamic and atmosphere is tangible – as 11,000 attendees patrol the conference floor to gaze in wonder at the 200+ exhibitors.
With over 35 industry leading expert speakers featured on the iGB Pulse Theatre delivering cutting-edge takes on all the hottest industry topics – networking meets discussion and innovation over the course of this two-day event.
Getting underway on day one with excitement in the air, AI is unsurprisingly one of the first subjects on the agenda as the Opening Brunch Panel – led by Gentoo Media COO Milorad Matejic – explores 2025’s SEO volatility explosion, a recent crackdown on PPC and how AI has re-written the rules of Google search. A sizeable and captivated crowd passes through for this intriguing opener – surpassed only by iGB Affiliate’s day one keynote panel on the strategic challenges now facing more senior affiliates attempting to further scale their businesses.
As industry discussion drives forward into the afternoon in the Pulse Theatre, a melee of sights and sounds from the exhibition floor represents the backdrop of the upstairs hall. Often revered for its free-flowing and energetic approach, the affiliate sector is perfectly represented by the buzz of innovation on display on day one of the conference. From Duelbits’ popular King Authur pulling the sword from the stone interaction to Betfinal’s off-roader and Stake’s penalty taker, iGB Affiliate is the living embodiment of a vibrant and alive affiliate sector.
The afternoon continues with a riveting and well-attended ‘global head-to-head' discussion on the US, LatAm and African markets – as experts from across these differing jurisdictions provide insight and analysis on affiliate marketing techniques and expansive potential as the US clamps down, LatAm begins to mature and Africa continues to digitise.
Day one draws to a close with a Cocktails with Creatives content creation in affiliate marketing Pulse Theatre panel, as the real networking event of the week begins and the hall empties with affiliates carrying the conference buzz out of the Fira and into the Barcelona night.
Back with a bang
Day two of iGB Affiliate Barcelona 2026 kicks off with a keynote interview of the respective MyAffiliates, Game Lounge and Hybrid Interaction CEOs exploring the future of iGaming – once again centred around AI innovation. Much like the rest of the world, the affiliate sector remains fascinated with the growing power and applications of AI. However, despite being a heavy feature of discussion at this year’s conference, the theme of AI has not stifled the increasingly eclectic subject matter of the affiliate panels and discussions in comparison to last year’s show.
Elsewhere, explorations into hyper-localised traffic strategies in burgeoning markets and the potential of prediction markets for affiliates in the US draw delegate attention through the afternoon as the event builds to its conclusion.
Tucked away on the North side of one of Europe’s largest conference venues, Hall 8.1 acts as a complementary addition to the introductory hall 8.0, housing countless additional exhibitors alongside a handful of additional dedicated networking spaces.
Indeed, the broadening discourse explored around the affiliate sector at this year’s iGB is representative of the growth of both the conference and more widely the fast-expanding sector itself. This expansion was clearly earmarked for all to see by the doubling in size of iGB Affiliate between 2025 and 2026 – as this year saw the show span across two halls, and two floors.
Headline messages & conclusions
Upstairs in the primary hall, day two sees the official iGB Headliner panel featuring Carrie Rose, CEO & Founder of Rise at Seven and Kamila Łuksza-Szpyt, Managing Director of Voluum. The pair open the discussion around why building a brand is now more crucial than ever as an affiliate to a sizable and engaged crowd. Themes revolve around retention, SEO, consumer trust and brand transparency and presence for enhanced loyalty are all explored with a view to cultivating the ultimate destination status.
Conclusively, the panel offers the departing statement that places the focal point on the brand as the modern industry’s new ultimate differentiator.
Bigger and better was undoubtedly the expectation of this year’s iGB Affiliate. And as the gaming industry usually does, the conference delivered. Now – it's all eyes on 2027...