The Elche City Council and the Provincial Council of Alicante have taken a new step in the development of the city's future Congress Palace with the meeting of the Institutional Joint Commission responsible for overseeing the project. The meeting served to advance key issues such as the elaboration of the economic-financial report, the definition of the management entity, and the future inter-administrative agreement that will regulate collaboration between the involved entities.

The mayor of Elche, Pablo Ruz, highlighted that this is “one of the public investments of the coming decades in Elche,” with an estimated investment of around 50 million euros. He also pointed out that the infrastructure will be strategic for the city's economic, tourist, and cultural development.

As explained by the mayor, the project already has a defined preliminary design following the international ideas competition promoted by the Provincial Council of Alicante, in which the design named ‘Trencadís’, presented by the architecture firm García Rodríguez Alcoba SLP, was the winner. The next step will be the drafting of the basic and execution project during this 2026, followed by the tendering of the works.

Ruz also emphasized that the future Congress Palace will bring about a comprehensive urban transformation of the surrounding area where it will be located, opposite the bus station and next to the Miguel Hernández University. According to his indication, the space will become one of the most relevant areas of the city.

For his part, the president of the Provincial Council of Alicante, Toni Pérez, defended that Elche is an “economic and social engine of the province of Alicante” and assured that the new convention center will act as an “event driver” and will strengthen MICE tourism thanks to the city's business capacity.

Furthermore, he highlighted “institutional collaboration and firm commitment” between both administrations to realize an infrastructure that, as he pointed out, will strengthen the local and regional economy.

The Joint Commission is also already working on defining the future management model of the Congress Palace. Among the options being studied are a consortium, a public company, or a foundation, depending on the administrations and entities participating in the project.

In this regard, both institutions have left the door open for the incorporation of other public administrations, such as the Generalitat Valenciana, as well as private entities, especially for the future management of the space.

The commission is also advancing in the preparation of the inter-administrative agreement that will outline the legal and financial commitments of the involved parties.

The future Elche Congress Palace will have a capacity for over 3,000 people and will cover an area of 13,000 square meters. The complex will combine the hosting of professional congresses and events with musical and cultural activities.

The project includes a main hall of 2,000 square meters with 1,200 seats, as well as five auxiliary rooms with capacities ranging from 150 to 450 attendees. It will also feature offices, a cafeteria, a press room, offices, storage areas, and a large exhibition space or foyer of 2,000 square meters.

The development will also include the urbanization of the surrounding area and a three-story car park with 420 spaces and an area of 14,000 square meters.

Soon, the City Council will install a public exhibition for citizens to view the sketches and details of the winning project.