Can you imagine Europe’s biggest cannabis fair in a completely new setting? Well, get ready, because Spannabis 2026 is making the leap from Barcelona to the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) and promises to open a historic chapter for the entire cannabis community. After more than two decades in Catalonia, the 23rd edition lands in the Basque Country on 17, 18 and 19 April 2026, combining an exhibition area, top-level conferences, live music and, of course, the legendary Spannabis Champions Cup. Whether you’re a cannabis enthusiast, a professional in the industry or simply curious about the latest trends in genetics, cultivation and regulation, this is your event. Ready to join us and discover everything that awaits you?
From Barcelona to Bilbao: why Spannabis is changing venue
If you’re a regular Spannabis follower, you’ve probably already heard the news: the Fira de Cornellà, home to the event since 2002, is slated for demolition, and there is no alternative venue in Barcelona capable of hosting a fair of this scale without compromising operational quality. Closing the Barcelona chapter hasn’t been easy — the last edition in the Catalan capital, held in March 2025, brought together more than 25,000 participants from 50 nationalities and generated a direct economic impact of over 8 million euros in Cornellà. A spectacular send-off for an unrepeatable era.
But far from being an ending, this move represents a natural evolution. As early as September 2024, Spannabis made a first foray into Bilbao, and the experience was so positive that the organisers had no doubts: the BEC was the ideal place to continue the story. With over 150,000 m² of exhibition space spread across six column-free halls, logistics designed for large-scale setups and first-rate international connections, the Basque venue has everything it needs — and more — for Spannabis to keep growing.
Bilbao: much more than a venue, a statement of intent
The choice of the Basque Country is no coincidence. Bilbao is a city that has reinvented itself like few others in Europe. Known for its economic resilience, its commitment to innovation and its remarkable capacity for urban transformation, the capital of Biscay perfectly embodies the values of adaptability and forward-thinking that define the cannabis sector itself. For you as a visitor, this translates into a modern city with excellent transport infrastructure, one of the finest culinary scenes on the continent and a welcoming atmosphere that will make you feel right at home from the very first moment.
Furthermore, the Basque region is establishing itself as a strategic hub for the cannabis industry, with academic institutions such as the Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU) involved in cannabinoid research and a business fabric increasingly interested in the opportunities this plant has to offer. Spannabis in Bilbao isn’t just a fair changing its postal address: it’s a commitment to putting northern Spain on the map of European green innovation.
What will you find at Spannabis Bilbao 2026?
If you’ve never attended Spannabis, picture a space where more than 200 international exhibitors — seed banks, fertiliser manufacturers, LED lighting companies, CBD brands, paraphernalia, vaporisers and much more — coexist alongside scientific conferences, activism, live music and a collective energy you can only experience here. And if you’re already a veteran, get ready because the new venue promises to take the experience to a whole new level.
Exhibition area: the showcase of the global cannabis sector
Hall 1 of the BEC will house the main exhibition area, where you’ll be able to discover the latest developments in cannabis genetics, growing systems, substrates, nutrients, extraction technology, CBD products and industrial hemp, among many other categories. For growers, it’s the perfect opportunity to touch, smell and compare in person what you usually only see in online catalogues. Seed banks typically use Spannabis to unveil their most exclusive varieties of the season, so if you’re looking for new and exciting genetics, this is your paradise.
The fair will also feature a zone dedicated exclusively to CBD and hemp, where therapeutic products, cosmetics, edibles and textiles derived from non-psychoactive cannabis will be explored. You’ll be able to try creams, oils, vape THC-free products and discover how industrial hemp is revolutionising sectors ranging from construction to food. A whole universe to explore beyond recreational cultivation.
World Cannabis Conference
Running alongside the fair will be the 15th edition of the World Cannabis Conference (WCC), the leading forum that brings together scientific, medical and political figures to debate the hottest topics of the moment. In a context where medical cannabis is advancing by leaps and bounds across Europe, this year’s conferences promise to be especially relevant.
Let’s recall that at the end of 2025, the Spanish government approved Real Decreto 903/2025, which for the first time establishes a legal framework for the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, allowing its prescription in hospital settings under specialist supervision. Additionally, the Ministry of Health has announced its intention to review dispensing criteria throughout 2026, which could open the door for certain cannabis-based preparations to be dispensed outside hospitals in the near future. A breakthrough that could significantly expand therapeutic access for thousands of patients across the country.
The WCC will address these regulatory advances alongside the experiences of other countries — the lessons learned in Canada, the United States and other legal markets offer valuable perspectives on how to manage regulation while protecting public health and stimulating research.
Spannabis Champions Cup
And now we come to one of the most eagerly awaited moments! The 20th edition of the Spannabis Champions Cup (SCC) will take place during the fair, with the awards ceremony on Friday 17 April at 7:00 PM in the conference area. The SCC is the benchmark cannabis cup in Spain and one of the most recognised worldwide, and for this special edition it returns to its roots with an exclusive VIP jury format in each category.
If you’re a grower, taking part or simply attending the awards ceremony is a unique experience: you’ll discover which genetics are setting the trends, which terpene profiles are winning over the experts and which seed banks are earning the sector’s applause. A true celebration of the art of growing that no enthusiast should miss.
The Spannabis festival
Spannabis has always been much more than a trade fair, and the Bilbao edition will be no exception. Over the three days of the event, live music will take centre stage, with a line-up spanning the styles inseparable from cannabis culture: reggae, dub, dancehall, hip hop, funk, afrobeats, drum & bass, electronic music and many more genres that will set the venue buzzing. If you’ve ever experienced the Spannabis stage, you know that this atmosphere of creativity and rhythm is something you won’t find at any other fair in the world.
The venue will also feature chill-out zones and food trucks, turning the space into a kind of festival where industry, urban culture, gastronomy and community come together in perfect harmony. And since you’re in the Basque Country, make sure to try the famous Bilbao pintxos before or after the fair — your palate will thank you just as much as your buds thank a good flowering.
Practical information for Spannabis 2026
Dates: 17, 18 and 19 April 2026.
Venue: Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC), Hall 1 — Ronda de Azkue 1, Barakaldo (Biscay).
Fair opening hours: Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Ticket offices open at 10:30 AM.
Ticket prices: 1-day ticket at €20 (early bird €19); 3-day pass at €45 (early bird €43). Please note that the single-day ticket grants one-time access only — re-entry is only possible with the 3-day pass, whose wristband must be worn throughout the entire event.
Event exclusively for those aged 18 and over. Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.
You can purchase your tickets and check all the latest information — exhibitor list, fair map, accommodation, music acts and conferences — on the official website: spannabis.es/bilbao.
CDays 2026
But the cannabis party in Bilbao begins even before Spannabis opens its doors. On Wednesday 16 April 2026, the day before the fair, the CDays will be held — the flagship event organised by Cannabis Hub at the Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU) in Bilbao. If Spannabis is the great cannabis celebration for the general public, the CDays are the perfect prelude for professionals, researchers and entrepreneurs in the sector.
The CDays were born as a series of sessions dedicated to Community, Knowledge, Collaboration and Co-innovation around cannabis. Organised for several editions now by Cannabis Hub — a platform that brings together companies, universities and institutions from the sector — this event has established itself as a key meeting point for those who want to go beyond cultivation and delve into the business, science and regulation of cannabis.
In previous editions, the CDays have featured talks on medical cannabis, extract encapsulation, quality systems for production, the European CBD market, tokenisation of cannabis companies and many other cutting-edge topics. For the Bilbao edition of 2026, the format will include conferences, round tables, networking sessions and the opportunity to connect with investors, researchers and industry leaders in an academic and inspiring setting. More than 200 attendees are expected, and best of all, admission is free, although places are limited and released ahead of the event.
If you want to make the most of your trip to Bilbao, combining the CDays on Wednesday 16 with the three days of Spannabis from 17 to 19 will give you a complete overview of the state of the sector: from cutting-edge research and business opportunities to the latest genetics, products and cultural trends. All information about the CDays is available at cannabis-hub.org/es/c-days.
