Why was Madrid chosen as the host city for the AffPapa Conference instead of Málaga?

With each AffPapa Conference, we aim to deliver the best experience by bringing a curated mix of affiliates, operators, and B2B providers together. As we’ve expanded year by year, we reached a point where we needed a location that could support not only the experience but also the growing scale of the event, so Madrid became a very intentional choice for us. It is a well-connected global city with strong infrastructure, which makes it easier for our international audience to attend and get the most out of the event.

I am proud to say that, thanks to these strategic decisions, AffPapa Conference Madrid is going to be our biggest affiliate-led event to date, with more than 1,500 participants expected, and a setup that gives exhibitors more flexibility.

All in all, Madrid allows us to keep the core idea of the AffPapa Conference the same, while growing it in terms of size, attendance, and the opportunities it creates.

Who will take part in the Speed Dating sessions, and what can attendees expect from them?

It’s no coincidence that the speed-dating sessions have become a favorite in our community: they’re a practical way to break the ice and start conversations. The idea is very simple: to help participants meet as many potential partners as possible in a short amount of time. And if you meet someone interesting, you can always continue the conversation outside the speed-dating format.

Every session follows a one-minute rotation, so attendees can quickly move from one conversation to another. One full session usually lasts around 30 to 60 minutes, and we’ll have six of those during the AffPapa Conference Madrid.

What key insights will be shared during the expert panels?

We try to keep the panels centered around what’s relevant to the iGaming industry right now and where it’s heading next. So there’s a lot on business strategy, operator-affiliate partnerships, how acquisition is changing, and what’s happening with regulation in markets like Spain and LATAM.

We’re also covering AI and automation, focusing on how it’s already used in day-to-day operations, retention and risk, and the tech behind affiliate growth platforms. On top of that, there’s an AI workshop powered by createIT that teaches practical ways people can use automation in their work.

There are bigger topics too, like crypto, blockchain, new player behavior, and where the industry might be heading in the next few years.

We have more on the agenda, but the idea is that the panels are not theory-driven. They’re hands-on, current, and designed so everyone walks away with something insightful they can actually use.

How does the off-site networking experience add value beyond the main program?

Everyone who has attended an iGaming conference at least once knows how intense it can be, so a warm-up day beforehand helps people ease into the conference flow. It sets the tone early and makes the whole experience feel more comfortable from the start.

Instead of going straight into meetings and panels, we extend the agenda with a full pre-conference day of interactive side events, with the activities including a Bernabéu Stadium tour with access to the Real Madrid Museum, a running club, and a padel tournament. These are all things people already enjoy, which makes building connections feel easier.

And after two busy days, we will close the AffPapa Conference Madrid with an afterparty featuring DJ Kryoman, where everyone will get to unwind, step away from formal networking, and have the kind of valuable conversations that don’t really happen in sessions or meetings.

What makes this year’s iGaming Awards stand out from previous editions?

The AffPapa iGaming Awards 2026 builds on our previous editions and feels a bit more personal compared to previous years. In this industry, things move fast, and a lot of names come and go. So, we felt it was the right moment to look a bit deeper and explore what lies behind the success that we’re celebrating.

For our 5th annual edition, we decided to shift the focus toward recognizing lasting value in iGaming. Each year, the Awards brings together affiliates, operators, and B2B providers to celebrate innovation, performance, and leadership, but this time we are introducing a new thematic concept: “The Test of Time”. It’s about recognizing companies and individuals who not only achieve success but also stay relevant, adapt to change, and keep contributing over time.

We are also expanding our focus beyond brands and company performance. With 4 new categories, Woman Leader of the Year, CEO of the Year, Affiliate Manager of the Year, and Best Employer of the Year, there’s more emphasis on people and leadership.

And of course, we’re hosting it at the Real Casino de Madrid, which adds a special layer to the evening. It’s one of Madrid’s iconic venues, with a long history and a very distinctive atmosphere, which actually fits quite well with the idea of consistency and long-term impact.

Overall, what makes attending worthwhile for industry professionals?

Everything we do is about helping our attendees build long-term partnerships, and the right mix of people is mainly what makes that possible. AffPapa Conferences have a clear structure behind it. We always make sure to keep the curated ratio of attendees by having 40% affiliates, 40% operators, and 20% B2B providers joining us.

If we’re talking about the Madrid edition, this approach is especially visible. It shows that this is our biggest affiliate-led conference so far just from how everything is coming together. Besides the scale and the energy around the event itself, Madrid is a city that naturally brings people together. In addition to that, of course, we also do our best to make the networking process smooth and useful, so people can get the most out of the conference.

Visibility is definitely part of why AffPapa Conferences are worth attending, but attendee feedback shows it’s not the only thing that makes them worthwhile. The real value lies in the quality of conversations. A lot of deals don’t close on the conference floor, they develop weeks or even months after the event, but the initial connection always starts there. We see it all the time: People meet, talk, and a few months later, they’re working together.

What the AffPapa Conferences provide is the right setting for the right people to meet. From that point on, the partnerships take shape on their own.