Lyon, France – The Lyon-based group GL Events, a major player in the global event industry, released its annual results on Thursday, January 22, 2026, reporting a historic performance. The company achieved a record revenue of 1.721 billion euros for the 2025 fiscal year, representing a 5.3% increase compared to the previous year. At constant exchange rates, growth reached 7.4%, confirming the resilience of the group’s economic model following the challenges posed by the health crisis.
GL Events Live and Venues: A Mixed Performance
The GL Events Live division, responsible for event services, remained the primary contributor to the group’s revenue, generating 968.8 million euros. However, this segment experienced a slight decline of 5.3%, attributed to a high comparison base due to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Conversely, the GL Events Venues division, which manages the group’s network of exhibition and convention centers, saw a significant increase of 16.2% in its revenues.
Olivier Ginon, Chairman and CEO of GL Events, emphasized the remarkable performance, which he stated validates the company’s international strategy. The group now boasts a presence across five continents, notably in Japan, where it provided services for the Osaka 2025 World Expo.
Financial Strength and Future Investments
Financially, GL Events has strengthened its capital structure, achieving a reduction in its net debt by the end of December 2025. The group has reaffirmed its profitability objectives and plans to allocate approximately 80 million euros towards capital expenditure (Capex) in the upcoming year. This financial stability allows the management to approach the 2026 fiscal year with optimism, anticipating continued growth in a highly competitive global market.
Lyon: A Hub for International Events
In Lyon, the historical stronghold of GL Events, activity remains robust with the hosting of major international events at Eurexpo. Significant events such as Sirha and the Global Industrie trade fair, scheduled for March 2026, are key highlights on the local agenda. While competition from Geneva remains a point of vigilance for business tourism in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, GL Events is focusing on diversifying its activities and leveraging its presence in over 20 countries to solidify its leadership position.
The group’s success in 2025 underscores its ability to adapt and thrive in a dynamic global environment, further cementing its reputation as a leading force in the event management industry.
Source: https://figurespubliques.fr/entrevues/lyon-gl-events-annonce-un-chiffre-daffaires-record-de-172-milliard-deuros-pour-2025/
