Integrated event indutry group GL Events has announced a 9% rise in its H1 revenues (€966m) with international markets now accounting for 54% of total revenue at the end of June. The results have led to the group confirming its faith in its 2026 final year target. The GL events Exhibitions division, however, reported revenue of just €124m in H1 2026, down 28% compared with H1 2025.

Olivier Ginon, chairman-CEO of the Group, said the first half results reflected solid fundamentals and confirmed the relevance of the business model and the complementarity of the businesses. “The strong momentum in our Live and Venues activities internationally, our ability to offset the impact of unfavourable biennial event cycles and the successful integration of Stade de France are the clearest illustrations,” Ginon noted.

“Against a complex global backdrop, and notwithstanding our footprint in the Middle East, we have maintained our momentum with discipline and vigilance. As a result, we are able to approach the second half of the year with confidence, fully focused on achieving our objectives and delivering sustainable, well-managed growth,” he added.

The Group reported that the impact of unfavourable biennial event cycles in South America and France was successfully offset, with current operating income rising to €107m, up 2% compared with H1 2025. Adjusted for biennial event cycle effects, all margins improved.

The GL Events Live division delivered particular strong growth in H1 2026, with revenue of €54m, up 19% compared with 30 June 2025. EBITDA increased by 42% to €68m, along with a significant improvement in operating profitability.

Mega events made the largest contribution. These included the Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which accounted for a significant share of the division’s activity throughout H1, the World Urban Forum in Baku, and services provided in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US.

GL events Live also provided services for Eurosatory, the Saut Hermès, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the Printemps des Sports Équestres, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Turkish Oncology Congress (TTOK), the Cannes Film Festival and the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

The division also benefited from the reduction in losses by the Sports segment together with improved profitability for corporate events in France and Turkey. Fixed costs remained under control, increasing by only 4% compared with H1 2025.

GL Events Exhibitions division, by contrast, reported revenue of €124m in H1 2026, down 28% compared with H1 2025. The group said the decline primarily reflected an unfavourable biennial event cycle, with H1 2025 including major exhibitions such as SIRHA, Expomin and the Rio International Book Fair.

The division’s current operating income of €20m, represented a current operating margin of 16.1%, down 7.8 percentage points compared with H1 2025.

In France, the performance improved compared with 2024, driven in particular by major events including SIRHA Bake and Snack, Première Vision Paris, Eurobois Lyon, CFIA Rennes, SantExpo, the Lyon Fair & Kidexpo, Hyvolution and SEPEM Douai, confirming the strength of the Group’s position in its key domestic markets.

Internationally, the division continued to expand through events including Aquasur Tech in Chile, CACLP, the WESAVC East and West Small Animal Veterinary Conference, the Bienal do Livro Bahia, which partially offset the biennial impact of the absence of the Rio International Book Fair, and the AFRAVIH Conference.

The international rollout of the Group’s proprietary brands also continued with Première Vision New York, Première Vision Montreal and Denim by Première Vision Milan.

Challenging market conditions in China, particularly in exhibitions related to construction, renovation and fashion, continued to weigh on the division’s overall performance.

Fixed costs, however, declined by 4% compared with H1 2025. And, strengthening the division’s healthcare vertical, an agreement has been reached to acquire 100% of MCO Congrès, an agency specialising in the organisation of scientific and medical events, conferences and congresses.

The GL Events Venues division continued its growth trajectory in H1 2026, generating revenue of €29m, up 15% compared with H1 2025. Current operating income reached €4m, representing a current operating margin of 14.8%, up 0.8 percentage points. In France, activity remained stable on a like-for-like basis, while the division benefited from the positive contribution of the consolidation of Stade de France and the 25 event venues of the S-Pass network. Regional momentum also remained strong, supported by events such as the Two-Wheeled Vehicles Fair in Lyon and the Toulouse International Fair. The City of Caen also renewed its confidence in the Group by extending its contract to operate the city’s exhibition centre for a further five years, while Eurexpo Lyon was selected to host competitions during the Alpes 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Group’s net debt stood at €513m at 30 June 2026, up from €471m at 31 December 2025.

Cash outflows relating to acquisitions and additional equity investments amounted to €48m during the first half.

Despite an uncertain geopolitical environment, the Group confirmed its 2026 guidance, supported by continued momentum in its Live and Venues activities.