Madrid, February 11, 2026 – Madrid’s Mayor, José Luis Martínez Almeida, today inaugurated the Discovery Center, a groundbreaking facility dedicated to the dissemination and entertainment surrounding gaming and gamification. This initiative reinforces the Madrid City Council’s commitment to innovation, young talent, and the creation of quality employment within the burgeoning video game sector.
Madrid’s Vision: Leading the Future of Gaming
Mayor Almeida underscored Madrid’s position as a “city of talent” that aims to “play the future and lead through example and responsibility,” by providing the necessary conditions and tools for the gaming industry’s development. He highlighted gaming as a “strategic opportunity for the capital.”
Accompanied by Engracia Hidalgo, Delegate for Economy, Innovation, and Finance, and Ángel Niño, Delegate Councilor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, along with CEOs and leaders from the gaming sector and entrepreneurs from Madrid in Game, the Mayor described the Discovery Center as “a new reality.” This reality stems from the municipal commitment to the video game, esports, and gamification sector, which he identified as “currently the most creative industry we have in the cultural sphere.” He further explained that this sector has “a great economic impact” and “generates an ecosystem that allows us to advance further” in various fields, including education, where Madrid leads with “40 degrees offered in both public and private universities.”
A Unique European Experience: Technology, Training, and Cultural Leisure
The Discovery Center seamlessly blends technology, training, and cultural leisure, solidifying Madrid’s strategy to become an international benchmark in the video game industry. Citizens can visit this space free of charge and immerse themselves in an experience that reveals the profound impact of video game technology on other sectors such as education, health, architecture, biotechnology, and mobility. This process translates into transformative advancements and new professional opportunities.
The pavilion housing the Discovery Center joins the Development Center, eSports Center, and Experience Center, transforming the Madrid in Game Video Game Campus into a pioneering ecosystem in Europe. This comprehensive campus now boasts four centers spanning 4,500 square meters.
An Immersive Educational Journey into the World of Video Games
Located in the Valencia Pavilion of Casa de Campo, the Discovery Center offers visitors two immersive experiences: an indoor journey called MIG Station and an outdoor activity known as Senda Estelar.
Across six rooms, MIG Station allows visitors to play some of the games currently under development at the Video Game Campus. It also presents educational and participatory content about the gaming industry and enables exploration of various scenarios within the city of Madrid through virtual reality. Concurrently, Senda Estelar features five interactive stops and utilizes augmented reality to showcase the broader impact of gaming beyond mere entertainment. Both activities are integrated into the overall Video Game Campus experience and incorporate a digital passport with stamps and achievements to connect both MIG Station and Senda Estelar, enhancing the participatory and playful nature of the experience.
The Discovery Center is now open to the public, offering a free experience. Senda Estelar can be enjoyed without prior reservation during daylight hours, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM in winter and from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM in summer. MIG Station can be visited from Monday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and from Friday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The experience lasts approximately 60 minutes and is recommended for individuals aged 14 and above. Prior reservation is required for MIG Station, which can be made through the Madrid in Game mobile application (iOS/Android) or the official website.
Madrid: Driving Force of the Video Game Industry in Spain and Europe
The video game sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing cultural and technological industries globally. In Madrid, a driving force of the national ecosystem, it generates an economic impact exceeding 1.2 billion euros, employs over 6,000 people, and encompasses more than 240 companies, including major international players.
The capital also boasts 12 universities and 30 specialized training centers in gaming, programming, digital design, and esports, fostering an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, economic growth, and investment attraction.
Source: https://www.madrid.es/portales/munimadrid/es/Inicio/Actualidad/Noticias/Almeida-Madrid-quiere-jugar-el-futuro-y-liderar-desde-la-innovacion-el-ejemplo-y-la-responsabilidad-en-el-sector-de-los-videojuegos/?vgnextfmt=default&vgnextoid=c2c58816c3c4c910VgnVCM200000f921e388RCRD&vgnextchannel=a12149fa40ec9410VgnVCM100000171f5a0aRCRD
