Projections for the Web Summit period indicate the participation of more than one million people. Photo: Press Release/City Hall
The 2026 edition of Web Summit Rio is expected to generate an economic impact of R$ 219,1 million in the city of Rio de Janeiro. This estimate comes from the study "Potential Economic Impacts of Web Summit Rio (2023-2030) – 2026 Update," prepared by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, through the Municipal Secretariat of Economic Development, Riotur, and Invest.Rio. The survey, which predicts an audience of 40 people per day, including domestic and international tourists and city residents, reinforces the importance for the city of hosting the world's largest innovation and technology event.
According to the study, Brazilian tourists are expected to be the main drivers of economic activity for Web Summit Rio 2026, with an estimated impact of R$ 110,3 million. Foreign tourists follow, projected to generate R$ 78,7 million in revenue. Projected spending by Rio residents is expected to reach R$ 14,8 million, while professionals involved in organizing the event are projected to generate R$ 15,3 million.
Among the sectors of Rio de Janeiro's economy that will benefit from the event, the hospitality sector leads the forecasts, with an expected impact of R$ 113,1 million. Following closely is the food service sector, which includes bars and restaurants, with an estimated revenue of R$ 43,4 million.
The Web Summit has consolidated Rio de Janeiro as one of the main global references in innovation and technology. In addition to attracting talent, investors, and companies from around the world, the event generates employment, boosts the economy, and strengthens the city's image as an increasingly prepared environment to receive major businesses and drive economic development – emphasizes the Municipal Secretary of Economic Development of the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, Osmar Lima.
Projections for the Web Summit Rio period, from 2023 to 2030, indicate a cumulative participation of over one million people and an estimated economic impact of R$ 1,9 billion, equivalent to approximately US$ 370 million.
The numbers demonstrate that the Web Summit has already surpassed the dimension of a large technology event. Today, it represents an important platform for generating business, attracting investment, and promoting the city internationally, with effects that spread throughout Rio's economic chain – emphasizes the president of Riotur, Bernardo Fellows.
In the accumulated total of the eight editions, Brazilian tourists are expected to account for the largest share of the economic activity generated by the event, with more than R$ 950 million, equivalent to 50,3% of the total projected impact. Foreign tourists come next, with approximately R$ 700 million (35,9%). Meanwhile, professionals involved in the event and residents of Rio de Janeiro are expected to generate R$ 134,5 million (7%) and R$ 130,1 million (6,7%), respectively.
Among the sectors that will benefit, according to the study, the hotel industry is expected to concentrate the largest share of the resources generated over the eight editions, with almost R$ 1 billion in economic activity and a 51,6% share of total spending. The food sector follows, with approximately R$ 400 million, equivalent to 19,8% of the total. The transportation, tourist attractions, leisure, and commerce sectors should also be positively impacted.
The track record of the first three editions shows that the Web Summit has already established itself as one of the most important events for the city's economy. The consistent growth in audience and economic impact reinforces Rio's capacity to host major international gatherings and expand its presence on the global innovation stage – says the president of Invest.Rio, Sidney Levy.
The three editions held so far, in 2023, 2024 and 2025, brought together 280,6 participants and professionals, with 261 participants and 19,6 professionals — and generated an economic impact of R$ 476,6 million for the city.
The full study is available on the Rio Economic Observatory website – at the link. economic observatory.rio and on the Riotur website – riotur.rio.
