This ambitious project aims to double the current exhibition area, with the construction of new pavilions and a direct connection to the Llotja Congress Palace via a walkway. The project's drafting is valued at one million euros, and it is estimated that the urban planning of the space and the first of the five new pavilions could be completed within four years.
The ideas competition will proceed in two phases. The first phase will involve the accreditation of the economic solvency of interested companies, from which the five best will be selected. In the second phase, the chosen firms will have nine months to draft the definitive project. Designs must consider access to the venue, new pavilions with underground parking, internal and external mobility, connection with the Llotja, and the management of the Seròs canal, either by burying it or integrating it into the space.
Project funding is guaranteed through the Institut Català de Finances and the amortization of the current Fira land, which will be allocated for housing construction and the expansion of the Camps Elisis. The relocation will increase the exhibition area from 45,000 square meters to 116,000 square meters, of which 27,000 will be covered.
“"The new venue will be able to host all kinds of national and international fairs and exhibitions, as well as festivals or events such as the Aplec del Caragol. It will be a multifunctional venue integrated with the city, and both the urbanization works and the construction of the pavilions could be carried out simultaneously."
This project will have a direct impact on Lleida's economy, creating up to 400 jobs, positioning the city as the second exhibition capital of Catalonia.
In parallel, the Board of Fira de Lleida has approved the hiring of a new general director for the entity, an engineer expert in technological innovation and former director of a technology foundation. This person will replace the previous director, who left the position last December after 18 years of service.
Furthermore, the Fira patrons are finalizing an agreement with a society responsible for the financing and management of Fira de Barcelona's infrastructure, so that Lleida can host the Smart Rural congress. This collaboration was already announced last autumn. Regarding the accounts, the entity closed 2025 with a positive balance of 735,810 euros, mainly due to the holding of a major exhibition. This allows for a positive balance of 255,000 euros to be calculated for the years 2024 and 2025.
