Theater continues to rise in the city of Barcelona, and for the third consecutive season, the number of spectators grows and surpasses three million. The total figure last season 2025-2026 was 3,176,328, 40,000 more than the previous one, according to data presented today by the Association of Theater Companies of Catalonia (Adetca). The revenue amounted to 103 million euros, 9.5% more. As for occupancy, it stood at 67%, growing more than three points.
The presentation of results coincides with tonight’s celebration at the Gran Teatro del Liceo of the traditional season opening gala Catalunya aixeca el teló, scripted by Sergi Belbel, which reaches its 25th edition and will award the president of the Focus Group Daniel Martínez, who goes from tribute to tribute, with the honorary mention of the Premi Catalunya de Teatre-Adetca 2026.
Also today, data collected by the Department of Culture of the Generalitat were presented, quantifying 4,081,780 theater spectators in Catalonia, with total revenue in the country of 115.6 million euros and an occupancy of 67%.
Returning to Adetca’s data for Barcelona, the season featured 1,289 shows and 13,196 performances (for the whole of Catalonia, these were 2,829 and 16,988 respectively). In the Catalan capital, venues with up to 200 seats have recorded an especially positive evolution, notes Adetca, adding 421,865 spectators, 13% more than the previous season, increasing their revenue by up to 20%, reaching 6.7 million euros. An increase in young audiences is also noted.
In the overall count, 58% of the productions shown in the season were Catalan, 41% were performed in Catalan, 32% in Spanish, and 27% in other languages. 49% of spectators attended performances in Catalan and 35% attended those offered in Spanish.
Regarding the ranking of the most viewed shows, they were El Mago Pop at the Victòria, which continues like a rocket (no wonder it just was at NASA), The Phantom of the Opera at the Tívoli, Improshow at the Teatreneu, L’amor venia amb taxi at the Romea, and Hamlet-Albert Pla y Peyu at the Coliseum.
The president of Adetca, Isabel Vidal, has highlighted that the data are very positive but “should not make us lose sight of the challenges ahead.” She added: “We need to achieve 2% of the Generalitat’s budget allocated to culture, continue expanding and renewing audiences, reducing bureaucracy, and strengthening circuits, creators, artists, and companies.”
Tonight’s gala will be held under the motto 25 anys al teu costat (passi el que passi…!). It will be artistically directed by Joan Maria Segura and starred by Marta Ribera. The connecting thread is a family that evolves at the same pace as Catalan society, and references to the events of these 25 years and the shows premiered during that period will also be included.
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