Stake targets ‘high-impact start’ to 2026 at iGB Affiliate Barcelona

Stake’s Head of Affiliate Marketing, Wasim Khan, said the operator expects January’s iGB Affiliate Barcelona to deliver a high-impact start to 2026, offering concentrated opportunities to meet partners, accelerate dealmaking and build a strong pipeline for the year.

“iGB Affiliate is where we turn relationships into results,” said Wasim Khan, noting that the show gives Stake crucial face-to-face time with existing partners to deepen trust, negotiate commercial terms and outline growth plans. “Success for us is having a strong pipeline of the right affiliates, a number of signed and scalable deals, as well as clear follow-ups that convert within the quarter,” he added.

Khan described the event as one of the most efficient platforms on the affiliate marketing calendar. “It’s the most time-effective way to meet a critical mass of partners, negotiate face-to-face, and accelerate decisions that would take weeks over email,” he said.

The 2026 edition of iGB Affiliate Barcelona will be 19% larger than its 2025 debut in the city - occupying 17,815 sqm and expanding into Halls 8 and 8.1 of Fira Gran Via - a scale that Khan believes reflects the sector’s vitality. “The big players will always show up, but a larger show brings fresh, niche affiliates and new vertical angles. That mix keeps conversations productive and helps us discover partners we wouldn’t meet otherwise,” he said.

Khan said the January timing gives companies a strategic advantage. “It lets us align calendars early, lock Q1–Q2 campaigns, and move quickly on new opportunities. It’s a great time to set momentum and build confidence for the year ahead,” he said.

Regulation and artificial intelligence are set to dominate discussions at the show, according to Khan. “More markets are moving towards regulatory frameworks which are maturing the ecosystem,” he said. “Alongside that, AI is reshaping operations, from content workflows to analytics. It speeds up content production, improves targeting and reporting, and automates repetitive work, freeing people to focus on creativity, partnerships, and compliance quality.” 

Stake sees major growth potential across emerging markets, particularly Latin America. “LATAM is one of our most promising regions. There’s a fast-growing appetite for sports and entertainment, driven by a mobile-first audience and a strong cultural passion for football and UFC — which aligns perfectly with our brand and ambassador portfolio,” Khan said.

“We are going to Barcelona with an agenda to meet with our partners face-to-face, negotiate smart, scalable deals, and open new opportunity streams — that’s what we’re there for,” Khan said.

The event’s expansion reflects rising demand from both new exhibitors and long-term partners, with industry leaders increasing their footprint and new entrants positioning themselves within what has become one of the affiliate sector’s most influential growth platforms.

Affiliates looking to secure their place at iGaming Affiliate Barcelona can unlock their complimentary entry by applying here.