European Society for Medical Oncology ESMO Annual Congress

ESMO Merit Award

Annual

Supports young oncologists (<40 years) by recognising outstanding scientific contributions. Awards are given across multiple ESMO congresses, including the main ESMO Congress and specialised meetings. Recipients present their work and receive financial support for attendance

Young OncologistsAbstract Presentation

ESMO Breast Cancer Award

Annual

Recognises exceptional contributions to breast cancer research and clinical care. The 2026 recipient is Dr. Daniel F. Hayes of Michigan Medicine, honoured for his work in experimental therapeutics and cancer biomarkers

Breast CancerClinical Research

Best Poster Award

Annual

Awarded for the best poster presentation in a given track or category. At ESMO 2026, the Best Poster in Supportive Care and Survivorship was awarded to Dr. Emad Shash for his poster titled 'Optimizing Survivorship Care: Integrating Patient-Reported Outcomes into Clinical Practice for Long-Term Cancer Survivors'

Supportive CareSurvivorshipPoster Presentation

Previous edition

Current edition

2026 · 30,000 visitors · 213 exhibitors

ESMO: 202630,000213, 15,000.5,000, 16%-.ESMO 2025, ESMO

Forecast — not final

Visitors

35,676

Exhibitors

183

Visitor countries

174

Growth over time

Edition recap

50ESMO2025101721,.5,677, 20245,030600; 2,926, 12, 158proffered paper, 213mini oral, 1,894649.35,676, 202433,830-; 183, 202412151%-; 174-; 661,181.

ESMOFabrice AndréESMO:,,,.Myriam ChalabiToni Choueiri“”- 11.: Thierry ConroyESMO, Christina Curtis, Rolf Stahel, Natasha Leighl.

: (ADC),, RNA.(Pembrolizumab).ESMO.

New this edition

1
AI and Digital Health Special Track
ESMO 2026 officially established a special topic on AI and digital health, covering the application of AI in early detection, clinical trials and precision oncology, and introducing the exploration of autonomous agents (Agentic AI) in complex clinical and research problems
Source
2
Special session on ctDNA guiding treatment decisions
Strategies based on ctDNA monitoring to guide treatment upgrading and de-escalation became the highlight of the conference, covering HER2+ breast cancer chemotherapy exemptions, and early identification of treatment failure through ctDNA to upgrade treatment intensity
Source
3
Special topic on dual-antibody ADC and IO 2.0
ESMO 2026 has special topics on bispecific ADCs and next-generation immuno-oncology (IO 2.0), covering innovative pipelines such as PD-1/VEGF dual antibodies, PD-1/IL-2 fusion proteins, and tertiary antibodies integrating multiple immune checkpoints
Source

Testimonials

The sheer scale hit me from the start. Walking the halls, stepping into one of the many simultaneous sessions, I sensed the full weight of what this gathering means. What struck me most was how the breadth of topics mirrored the complexity of cancer itself
Attendee · Congress Participant · 2025

My reflection is that attending ESMO provided value beyond the direct scientific content. It reinforced the need for cross-disciplinary engagement, early collaboration and active participation in rare cancer networks
Sian Dobbs · Salivary Gland Cancer UK · 2025

As ESMO25 comes to an end, I can't help but feel deeply grateful. My first ESMO experience has been so much more than a congress, it was a week of learning, inspiration. Thank you, ESMO and Berlin for this unforgettable first chapter. See you next year
Sergey Badalyan · 2025

Next edition outlook

2026

confirmed

ESMO 202630,000213, 15,000.ADC 2.0, IO 2.0, AIctDNA.47.1019, LBA925

AI and digital health have been upgraded from fringe topics to core topics Bisantibody ADC moves from proof of concept to large-scale clinical data disclosure stage The number of oral reports on innovative drugs in China has increased from 35 to 47, and the right to speak continues to increase ctDNA monitoring moves from exploratory research to clinical decision-making tool

Impact

A bigger and stronger platform

ESMO 2025.“”, (5,677, +600), (35,676, ), (183, +51%)(174).ESMOFabrice André:,,,,,,, AI.: Thierry ConroyESMO(520003%202513%), Christina Curtis(AI), Rolf Stahel, Natasha Leighl.Myriam ChalabiToni Choueiri, ESMO 2025,.(tumor-agnostic), “”“”

Audience quality

High-value decision-makers

ESMO 202535,676174,,.,,,.2,181,.,, ESMO.: “,, ——,,,.”.AIO

Exhibitor outcomes

Real business growth

ESMO 2025183,.: 8,800, 95%250%.202451%, ESMO., ESMO“wider, more clinically focused audience”(, ).,, MedTechROI——., ESMO 2025(KOL)

Intelligence

Market context

Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

Europe / Global

Why it matters

ESMO,,., ESMOlicensing——LBA'',., ESMO,,,.2026(2023), 47, ESMO

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

AI moves from experiments to infrastructure

Precision oncology moves beyond genomics

ER, ER-low(1-10%)

ADC 2.0: Differentiated Design and Combination Therapies

(ADC)2.0, (ADC, )-.14ADC, ADCADC

IO 2.0 deepening: multi-mechanism collaboration to expand the boundaries of immunotherapy

PD-(L)1/VEGF, PD-1IL-2/IL, PD-1/VEGF/CTLA

Clinical research moves toward patient centralization

ctDNA

Market news

Latest updates from across the market.

Orient Securities: ADC and IO2.0 advance together, domestic innovative drugs achieve multi-dimensional breakthroughs

Soochow Securities: The number of oral reports in China reaches a new high, and the global competitiveness of ADC and dual resistance tracks continues to be verified

CStone’s CS2009 tertiary antibody was selected for ESMO 2026 rapid oral presentation

ESMO routine summary released, highlights of clinical data of domestic innovative drugs highlighted

43 domestic innovative drugs for ESMO were selected, and ADC dual antibodies have become a new direction for overseas expansion

A total of 47 innovative Chinese drugs were selected for the ESMO 2026 reporting session, an increase of 35% compared with last year

Oncology Conference Circle 2026 to 2027: The Annual Academic Cycle from ASCO to ESMO

March 2026 June 2027 (ESMO TAT 2026 to ASCO 2027)

The oncology conference circle has the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (May-June) and the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Meeting (October) as the annual double peaks, interspersed with various tumor specialist conferences and regional summits. As the largest cross-tumor oncology conference in Europe, the ESMO Annual Meeting is the core publishing platform for global oncology innovations in the second half of the year. The 2026 ESMO Annual Conference will be held in Madrid and is expected to attract more than 30,000 attendees and 213 exhibitors

Spring Early Targeting and Breast Cancer

ESMO Targeted Anti-Cancer Therapy Conference (ESMO TAT) 2026ESMO Breast Cancer 2026

March (Paris): Early drug development and targeted therapy; May (Berlin): Frontiers in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment

ASCO/

ASCO Annual Meeting 2026ESMO Gynecological Cancer Congress 2026ESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology Congress (ESMO GI) 2026

End of May to early June (Chicago): the world's largest oncology conference; mid-June (Copenhagen): gynecological tumors; early July (Munich): digestive tract tumors

ESMO

ESMO(ESMO Congress)2026

October (Madrid): ESMO annual flagship conference, the largest cross-tumor oncology conference in Europe

Winter to Spring Immuno-Oncology and Lung Cancer

ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2026European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC) 2027

December (London): Immuno-oncology specialist meeting; March (Munich): European Lung Cancer Congress

The above meeting date, location and other information are mainly based on the ESMO official conference calendar, ASCO official announcement and industry conference calendar. Some conference dates in 2027 are predictions based on the patterns of previous years. It is recommended that the final announcement be based on the official website of each conference

Plan your trip

Travel & logistics

Local currency · EUR

Arrival airports

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

MAD

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport

IFEMA8(Feria de Madrid, 15–20, €4.50–5.00); (IFEMAM, €33), €18–28; (Cabify/Uber/Bolt)€12–22

4–7

to venue

10–15

by car

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Budget / economy

Near the airport (Barajas), Canillejas or San Blas area

USD 70–120 / night

Affordable airport hotels or hostels in the outer areas surrounding the exhibition halls. Best Osuna Hotel offers budget accommodation approximately 15 km from IFEMA. Some hotels offer a free shuttle to the airport or IFEMA

Mid-range / mid-range

Campo de las Naciones (next to the venue)

USD 130–200 / night

Novotel Madrid Campo de las Naciones AC Hotel Madrid Feria, 5.Novotel $171-$182

Premium / high-end

Madrid City Center (Sol, Gran Vía, Salamanca)

USD 250–450 / night

Upscale hotel offering luxury amenities. Suitable for participants who want to experience city life in the evening, take Metro Line 8 to the venue in about 20-30 minutes

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Metro

Estimated cost€4.50–5.00(€3)

Best for8: Nuevos Ministerios – Aeropuerto T4, Feria de MadridIFEMA

15–20, 4–6.IFEMA.Tarjeta Multi(€2.50)

EMT Bus

Estimated cost€1.50 (one way) – 31

Best for73: Diego de León – IFEMA MADRID

Diego de León.112(Mar de Cristal – Barrio del Aeropuerto)122(Avenida de América – IFEMA MADRID).828: Universidad Autónoma – Alcobendas – IFEMA MADRID – Canillejas

Suburban train (Cercanías RENFE) + Metro

Estimated cost€4.10

Best forC-1Chamartín, 10Begoña, 10IFEMA

Accessible via Cercanías commuter train line C-1 and C-10 to Terminal 4, connecting to Renfe rail services

Taxi

Estimated costIFEMA: €18–28; IFEMA: €25–35

Best forIFEMA(Puerta Sur / Puerta Norte / Puerta Este)

⚠️ IFEMAM, €33.€3.00.Tarifa 7€8.00(2026)

Ride-hail: Cabify / Uber / Bolt

Estimated cost€12–22

Best forIFEMA

11.App

Self-driving (Car)

Estimated costParking fee: €2.95/hour, daily ticket €15.00, daily limit €21.00

Best forM11(57), M40(5, 67)A2(7)

IFEMA,,,.48. (Parking Verde-Naranja), (Puerta Norte)

Plan your trip

Visa & entry documents

Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

Visa required

ATA Carnet: accepted

Type	Who needs it	Fee	Processing
Schengen Short Term Visa (Category C) – Business/Conference	I(//, ).ESMO 2026, 90(180)	$106.00	Standard processing time is 15 calendar days, may extend to 30 days during peak periods. It is recommended to apply 6-8 weeks in advance

//,./,, 90(180):,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.2026(,,,,,,,, )(,,,,,, )-.(EU) 2018/1806II

Spain will accept electronic ATA Carnet (eATA) from June 1, 2026. Paper ATA carnets issued before this date can still be used. ATA carnet is suitable for the temporary import of exhibits, commercial samples, professional equipment and other goods, exempt from customs duties and import taxes. Exhibitors should confirm specific requirements with freight forwarders and customs brokers in advance

Official visa page

Weather

Madrid has mild autumn weather in October. The average daytime high temperature is about 20–22°C, and the average nighttime low temperature is about 11–15°C. The average monthly precipitation is about 39-61 mm, and the number of rainy days is about 5 to 7 days. It is recommended to bring a light jacket or sweater to cope with the temperature difference between morning and evening, and rain gear in case of rain

Plan for the climate

Check temperatures and pack accordingly

Venue connectivity

IFEMA Madrid,: - (Metro): 8(Nuevos Ministerios–Aeropuerto T4)Feria de Madrid, IFEMA.T1-T2-T3T4. (EMT): IFEMA, 73(Diego de León–IFEMA), 112(Mar de Cristal–Barrio del Aeropuerto), 122(Avenida de América–IFEMA); 828(Universidad Autónoma–Alcobendas–IFEMA–Canillejas).: IFEMA,,, €3.00.: M-11(57), M-40(5, 67)A-2(7). (Cercanías RENFE): C-1Chamartín10

Ride-hailing

Taxis

Public transit

Car rentals

Cultural notes

Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

spanish meal time

14:00–16:00, 21:00–23:00.,.IFEMA

Dress code suggestions

IFEMA,.10

Language and communication

Spanish is the official language, but the official language of the conference is English. Most service staff and hotel staff have English communication skills. It's helpful to learn a few simple Spanish greetings (such as 'Hola', 'Gracias')

Tipping customs

Tipping in Spain is optional. When dining in restaurants, it is common to leave a tip of 5–10% of the bill (or round it up); taxi drivers generally do not tip, but may round it up to the nearest euro

Practical guides

Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

Flights

Destination: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)

IFEMA8(Feria de Madrid, 15–20, €4.50–5.00); (IFEMAM, €33), €18–28; (Cabify/Uber/Bolt)€12–22

Visa

ESMO 2026, (C).(3, 10),,, -,,, (30,000)-, (2026122.10, 1,098.90)., 180, 15.6

Processing: Standard 15 working days, may be extended to 30 days during peak periods

The visa fee does not include the service fee (about 20 US dollars) charged by service providers such as BLS International. The waiting time for appointments in some consular districts may be long, so it is recommended to plan as early as possible. Participants can contact the organizer of the ESMO Conference to obtain the official invitation letter

Official

Hotels

Find a stay near the venue with options for every budget.

Check-in (recommended)

2026-10-22

Check-out (recommended)

2026-10-28

Areas to stay

Campo de las Naciones (next to IFEMA and within walking distance) · Near the airport (Barajas) (affordable, public transportation and shuttles) · Madrid city center (Sol, Gran Vía, Salamanca) (convenient life, rich nightlife)

Budget / economy

$70-$120/night

Mid-range / mid-range

$130-$200/night

Premium / high-end

$250 - $450+ / night

Transport

Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

Airport → venue: 8 (Metro Line 8) Feria de Madrid, 15, €4.50-€5.00., €18-€28

Hotel → venue: Campo de las Naciones.8, (73, 112, 122)

Ride-hail: Cabify / Uber / Bolt, €12-€22

Public transit: 8 (Feria de Madrid ).73, 112, 122828

Parking: IFEMA,,,.48

Weather

Plan and pack for the event climate.

Seasonality: Madrid in October has mild autumn weather: average high 20–22°C (68–72°F), average low 10–12°C (50–54°F). Evenings can be cooler; a light jacket or sweater is recommended. Rainfall is moderate, so an umbrella or raincoat is advisable

Packing: Madrid has mild autumn weather in October. The average daytime high temperature is about 20–22°C, and the average nighttime low temperature is about 11–15°C. The average monthly precipitation is about 39-61 mm, and the number of rainy days is about 5 to 7 days. It is recommended to bring a light jacket or sweater to cope with the temperature difference between morning and evening, and rain gear in case of rain

Itinerary builder

Add priorities and side trips to make the most of your visit.

Add side trips

Default day plan

08:30 – 09:00Arrival and registration at IFEMA Madrid
09:00 – 12:30Attend scientific sessions and keynotes
12:30 – 13:30Lunch break (on-site catering or nearby restaurants)
13:30 – 17:00Visit exhibition booths and networking
17:00 – 18:00Poster sessions and industry symposia
19:00 – 21:00Dinner in Madrid city centre

Plan your trip

Planning

Best day to visit: Tuesday, 27 October 2026

The final day typically has lighter crowds, making it easier to navigate the exhibition and have in-depth conversations with exhibitors. Half-day sessions often end by early afternoon, allowing time for additional networking or sightseeing

T-120 days (4 months before the conference)

Determine meeting attendance goals and create a budget — Clarify the purpose of attending the conference (learning, socializing, purchasing, looking for cooperation, etc.) and plan the itinerary according to the budget

T-90 days (3 months before the conference)

Complete conference registration and enjoy early bird discounts — ESMO 20262026722.: https://www.esmo.org/meeting-calendar/esmo-congress

T-60 days (2 months before the conference)

Book flights and hotels — October is the peak season for Madrid exhibitions, so it is recommended to book as early as possible to get reasonable prices. Recommended accommodation areas: Campo de las Naciones (close to the venue), near the airport (Barajas) or in the city center

T-45 days (1.5 months before the conference)

Apply for a visa (if necessary) — ESMO,,.6

T-30 days (1 month before the conference)

Download the ESMO Events App and plan your schedule — Customize your personal agenda through the official app and mark sessions, posters and exhibition areas of interest

T-14 days (2 weeks before the conference)

Confirm itinerary details and print necessary documents — Print the registration confirmation letter, flight information, hotel reservation confirmation form and visa materials. Have business cards and portable charging equipment ready

T-2 day (October 21, 2026)

Arrive in Madrid and familiarize yourself with the venue — It is recommended to arrive 1 to 2 days in advance to adapt to the time difference. You can take Metro Line 8 directly to IFEMA Feria de Madrid Station

T-1 day (October 22, 2026)

Receive conference certificates and participate in pre-conference activities — Badges can usually be picked up the day before the conference. Some satellite meetings and pre-conference workshops may start earlier

Sample visitor itinerary

Route-optimised day

09:00 to 10:30

Keynote Address and Opening Ceremony

Main Auditorium

10:45 to 12:30

Exhibition Hall Floor Tour and B2B Meetings

Exhibition Halls

13:30 to 15:00

Technical Innovation Stream and Case Studies

Conference Room A

15:30 to 17:00

Industry Networking Reception

Networking Lounge

02:30 PM

Specialized Technical Workshop: Advanced Methodologies, Automation & Best Practices

IFEMA MADRID – Recinto Ferial Conference Rooms Level 2

04:30 PM

Evening Industry Networking Reception and collaborative discussions

IFEMA MADRID – Recinto Ferial Central Terrace & Hospitality Lounge

Side trips

Parque Juan Carlos I

Park

Adjacent to IFEMA

A large park with lakes, rivers, bike paths, and canoeing – perfect for a relaxing stroll or outdoor activity

El Capricho Park

Park / Historical Garden

10 minutes by taxi

A beautiful 18th-century garden with fountains, a lake, and a palace – a hidden gem near the airport

Museo del Prado

Art Museum

25 minutes by metro

One of the world's finest art museums, home to masterpieces by Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco

Royal Palace of Madrid

Palace / Historic Site

30 minutes by metro

The official residence of the Spanish royal family – a stunning example of Baroque architecture

Networking spots

Exhibition Hall

On-site

The main exhibition area offers numerous opportunities to connect with exhibitors, KOLs, and industry representatives

Poster Areas

On-site

Poster sessions are excellent for informal discussions with researchers and clinicians

Industry Symposia & Satellite Sessions

On-site

These sessions often include networking breaks and receptions

ESMO Nordic Evening

Off-site (evening event)

A dedicated professional and social event for Nordic oncology specialists, featuring dinner and networking

Canadian Night at ESMO

Off-site (evening reception)

An evening reception connecting Canadian researchers and clinicians, held on Saturday, 24 October 2026

Budget

Costs & budget

Shell scheme

—

Raw space

EUR 250–450 / m²

Standard booth

9 m²

Exhibition space rates are estimated based on industry sources; official ESMO pricing is not publicly published. Raw space rates range from €250–€450 per m² according to third-party exhibitor guides. A 10×10 ft (approx. 9 m²) all-in booth is estimated at roughly $15,000–$30,000 including space rental, drayage, electrical, carpet, and basic services. Modular solutions for a 30 m² stand start at €18,000–€28,000, while a custom 30 m² stand typically costs €35,000–€65,000. These are estimates and not official ESMO rates