Leuven strengthens its position on the global meetings map.
Leuven Convention Bureau is proud to once again secure a strong position in the latest ICCA rankings, reaching #87 worldwide and #47 in Europe.
This recognition reflects Leuven’s continued growth as an international destination for meetings and conferences.
The ranking follows an exceptional year for KU Leuven, which celebrated its 600th anniversary in 2025. The milestone highlighted Leuven’s centuries-long tradition of academic excellence, innovation, and international collaboration.
Universities play a crucial, and often underestimated, role in attracting international meetings and conferences.
Across Europe, destinations such as Edinburgh, Leiden, Leuven, Lyon, and Cambridge benefit from the global reputation and research strengths of their academic institutions. Leading universities create strong knowledge ecosystems that naturally connect international experts, associations and professional networks.
From healthcare congresses linked to the world-renowned medical faculty UZ Leuven to engineering and technology events driven by cutting-edge research, academic excellence remains one of the strongest drivers of conference attraction.
Leuven’s international visibility was further strengthened when the city was named European Capital of Culture for 2030, confirming its reputation as a culturally vibrant and forward-looking city.
Leuven Convention Bureau would like to sincerely thank its strategic partners Visit Leuven and KU Leuven, as well as all local partners and ambassadors who continue to help position Leuven as a leading international meetings destination.
Source: ICCA Releases ICCA GlobalWatch: business Analytics - Country & City Rankings 2025.