Iconic motorsports venue to host connected and autonomous vehicle demonstrations and smart technology fan experiences
3 March 2025, Barcelona: GSMA today announced an exciting three-year partnership with Fira Circuit, a newly formed company owned by Fira de Barcelona which manages the activities at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and Mobile World Capital, a public-private foundation that promotes the digital development of society.
The new partnership is designed to deliver a technology showcase at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, establishing the venue as an Advanced Connectivity Innovation Centre, with the objective of promoting the future of connected and autonomous vehicles, drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, and entertainment technologies. The partnership will host innovation projects at multiple locations around the circuit to support different technology use cases.
The showcase will be managed by GSMA Foundry, the GSMA’s innovation hub, to serve as a venue for testing and experiencing live demonstrations of connectivity, automotive and smart drone technologies, as well as innovative new fan experiences. Positioned at the forefront of technological innovation, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host the first demonstrations at MWC26 Barcelona, followed by dedicated events for fans at motor racing, e-sports and music events throughout 2026.
John Hoffman, CEO, GSMA Ltd., said: “We are delighted to support Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya’s transformation strategy and technology roadmap. The GSMA Foundry thrives on delivering successful outcomes with valued partners, including more than 70 highly innovative projects since its launch in 2021. This new partnership is no exception and our work with Mobile World Capital and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya promises to provide some truly immersive experiences for visitors to future MWC events and at dates throughout the motor racing calendar.”[LD1] [NM2]
Francesc Fajula de Quintana, CEO, Mobile World Capital, said: “This exciting partnership allows us to support the development of innovative digital services and enhance the circuit's operations. In addition, by leveraging our digital talent program, we will offer reskilling opportunities and foster the circuit’s connection with Barcelona’s digital ecosystem, as well as manage its participation in events such as MWC, Talent Arena and 4YFN, showcasing how technology reshapes our lives and creates new opportunities.”
Ignasi Armengol, General Manager, Fira Circuit, said: “Our strategy for the circuit focuses on digitalisation, sustainability and diversification. Our goal is to develop the infrastructure around the circuit to deliver new and exciting fan and visitor experiences, not only for motorsport, but other sporting, music and business events, such as MWC. We aim to deliver a long-term vision and leave a legacy that replicates the success model of Fira Barcelona."
In addition to showcasing connected and autonomous vehicle technologies, GSMA Foundry and GSMA Fusion will also leverage the new partnership to display enterprise applications based on open APIs. By integrating these open API-based solutions, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya demonstrates the versatility and potential of enterprise applications in a real-world environment.
GSMA Fusion is a GSMA Open Gateway initiative facilitating collaboration between enterprises and the mobile industry to create new network-based solutions for the automotive, aviation, financial services, manufacturing, media and broadcast sectors. GSMA Fusion announced today that it has signed a number of partnerships with leading automotive groups including the 5G Automotive Association, Automotive Edge Computing Consortium and JASPAR.
GSMA Foundry’s Richard Cockle will host a panel discussion alongside Eduard Marin from Mobile World Capital and Ignasi Armengol from Fira Circuit, to discuss the new partnership and how the venue will bring connectivity use cases to life. The session will take place during the Connected Industries Networking Reception at 17:00 on Wednesday, 5th March.
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About GSMA
The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today’s biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world’s largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
We invite you to find out more at gsma.com
About Mobile World Capital
Mobile World Capital Barcelona is a public-private foundation that promotes the digital development of society to build a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future through the humanistic use of technology. MWCapital contributes to positioning Barcelona as a global benchmark in the digital field and to consolidating MWC's legacy throughout the year, promoting initiatives in the field of technology transfer, the promotion of digital talent, the development of innovative technological projects with social impact and the generation of knowledge. MWCapital hosts MWC in Barcelona, is the founder of 4YFN and connects citizens with the latest digital trends through key events.
About Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is considered one of the best permanent circuits in the world and a high-level infrastructure capable of hosting major events given the quality of its services and the versatility of its facilities. In its more than 30 years of history, the Circuit has become an international benchmark in motorsport hosting F1 and MotoGP Grand Prix. Managed by Fira de Barcelona since 2025, it has more than 50,000 m2 of surface area for all kinds of events: trade fairs and congresses, leisure, musical and cultural events, and sustainable mobility exhibitions
Media Contacts
GSMA Press Office
pressoffice@gsma.com
Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya
Montse Sogues msogues@circuitcat.com
Mobile World Capital