The Pavilion: a new generation of spaces for congresses and events
On 16 December 2025, Palexpo officially unveiled its future multipurpose venue, the Pavilion, to the press at a conference jointly organised by the Department of the Economy, Employment and Energy (DEE) and Palexpo SA.
For large-scale congresses and events
Located at the heart of Hall 1 and scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, the Pavilion is designed to meet the requirements of congresses, conferences, corporate events and smaller exhibitions.
Spanning 4,000 m², fully equipped with sound and lighting systems as well as modular tiered seating, it will offer flexible capacity ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 seats. Its modular design will enable rapid reconfiguration, optimising set-up times and overall event operations. Built from Swiss spruce, it also reflects an approach mindful of sustainability challenges.
Enhancing the region’s appeal
Designed to address the growth of the international congress market and Geneva’s shortage of suitable infrastructure, the Pavilion will make it possible to host around ten additional events each year, strengthening the region’s appeal in the face of European competition. Construction, estimated at close to CHF 25 million and jointly financed by public and private partners, is scheduled to begin in July 2026, with completion due at the end of 2027. From 2028 onwards, the Pavilion will notably host several major events, confirming its structuring role in Geneva’s international positioning. By 2030, the direct economic impact for the region is estimated at nearly CHF 22 million per year.
Supporting the evolution of the events industry
Conceived to support the evolution of the sector, with the rise of congresses, increasingly hybrid formats and demand for higher-value experiences, the Pavilion embodies Palexpo’s determination to offer spaces that are ever more efficient, flexible and attractive.
This project also comes at a symbolic moment: the centenary of the Palais des Expositions, inaugurated in 1926, extending a century of Geneva’s event history while affirming its future.
THE PAVILION – KEY FIGURES
✧ 4,000 m² in the heart of Hall 1
✧ Modular seating capacity of 1,000 to 4,000
✧ CHF 25 million investment (public-private partnership)
✧ Start of construction: July 2026; completion: end of 2027
✧ 10 additional congresses per year from 2028 onwards
✧ CHF 22 million per year in economic impact by 2030
