Madrid City Council Approves the Special Plan for the IFEMA MADRID Exhibition Center
The initiative, launched in 2022, increases the buildable area by 4%, adding 13,600 sqm to the current site.
Madrid City Council has officially approved the Special Plan for the reorganization of networks within the Specific Planning Area 21.10, known as the "Juan Carlos I Exhibition Park" and its surroundings. This plan restructures space within the IFEMA MADRID exhibition center to optimize its layout and functionality.
The urban development project, initiated in the second half of 2022 to address IFEMA MADRID’s growing space requirements, increases the site’s buildable area by 4%, adding 13,600 sqm to the current maximum of 340,000 sqm. Additionally, the plan allows for the reorganization of parking areas and green spaces, supporting the venue’s need for expansion and infrastructure enhancement.
This additional buildability will facilitate improvements to the facilities, aligning them with the evolving needs of the venue and its users. The Special Plan applies exclusively to the existing exhibition center site, enabling immediate action within a fully urbanized and well-connected area with established public transport links. Given the evolving demands of modern exhibition spaces, IFEMA MADRID required additional capacity to fully optimize its role as a leading trade fair venue while integrating complementary activities.
One of the key benefits of this plan is its contribution to the upcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix in Madrid. The added buildability will allow for the expansion of Pavilions 1 and 2, significantly enhancing their capacity for exhibitions and conventions. These two halls, currently the smallest at the venue, will also serve as garages and technical offices for F1 teams, as well as the VIP Paddock Club area during the event.
Furthermore, the Special Plan formally recognizes the exhibition center’s use for major sporting events, a function already outlined in Article 4.1.g of IFEMA’s Statutes. This article states that IFEMA is responsible for hosting cultural, sporting, and artistic events organized by its governing bodies, as well as external entities and individuals, provided these activities contribute to the commercial, industrial, and service sectors of the Madrid region.
Finally, the plan also resolves the long-standing issue of the "Vereda de los Leñeros", an isolated section of historic livestock route that was affected by the construction of the exhibition center in 1990. With this approval, the route’s status is now fully regularized.