Ifema Madrid to double as 18,800-capacity venue

The Ifema exhibition centre in Madrid will become an 18,800-capacity music venue in July.

Located near to Juan Carlos I Park, Ifema (Institución Ferial de Madrid) is home to trade shows such as the International Tourism Fair (Fitur), fruit and vegetable industry event Fruit Attraction, the International Contemporary Art Fair (Arco) and gift/interior design show Intergift but will, as of this summer, also host music concerts and festivals.

It has invited proposals from promoters and event organisers who want to host musical events between 30 June 2016 and 1 July 2018, reports the Europa Press. Concerts may be between 4,000 and 18,800 attendees in size, but promoters are subject to “a series of technical and economic requirements” and must pay a €6,000 deposit.

Writing for IQ in early February, Industria Musical revealed how new promoters, an improving economy and government support are creating a fertile ground for festivals in Madrid.