MIPIM 2026: Capital remains in play, real estate market seeks a new balance

This year’s MIPIM international real estate trade fair held in Cannes from 13th to 16th March confirmed that the global real estate market is not losing its dynamics despite the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and economic tensions.

MIPIM 2026

The southern French resort welcomed around 20,000 visitors  from 90 countries; it was particularly the institutional investors who were strongly represented, accounting for almost a third of the participants. The main topic of this year’s event was market resilience and the gradual return of investment activities. Representatives of financial institutions, developers and the public sector agreed that capital remains in the market, but investors nowadays place greater emphasis on project quality, long-term sustainability and the ability to generate stable returns than in previous years.

Trillions of Euros seek investment opportunity The significance of MIPIM as a global investment platform was highlighted by the participation of entities managing assets worth over EUR 4 trillion. These institutions met mainly within the RE-Invest Summit, where representatives of major pension funds and investment companies were present, including Norges Bank Investment Management, CPPIB, Temasek, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and others.

A new feature of this year’s trade fair was the RE-Family Summit, focused on family offices and private capital. This format reflects the growing importance of a group of investors who are often much more flexible than traditional institutional players and can respond quickly to new opportunities. Both formats confirmed that even in times of higher interest rates and regulatory uncertainty, the real estate sector remains an attractive asset class. At the same time, investment strategies are changing – the focus is shifting from speculative projects to long-term, stable and diversified portfolios.

Housing Matters!

Housing as a global problem as well as an investment opportunity

One of the dominant topics of this  year’s  MIPIM was the housing crisis, which is becoming a structural issue across continents. The Housing Matters! programme recorded a year-on-year increase in participation of more than 50%, reflecting growing pressure on housing availability and the need to find new models of funding and construction.

Discussions focused not only on the insufficient supply, but also on issues of affordability and changing lifestyle. Rental forms of housing, flexible residential concepts and/or combinations of housing with other functions within mixed-use projects are playing an increasingly important role. The residential segment remains a key area for investors, despite regulatory interventions in some countries. Stable demand for housing ensures relatively predictable returns, which is a crucial factor in times of uncertainty.

Data centres and artificial intelligence are reshaping the investment map

Alongside traditional segments, new types of real estate are also coming to the forefront. This year, significant attention was drawn by the very first Data Centres Summit, reflecting the rapid growth of the sector. Data centres have evolved from a previously marginal investment category into a key infrastructure for the digital economy.

This trend is closely linked to the development of artificial intelligence, which was one of the main topics of the opening presentation by economist Philippe Aghion, a laureate of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics, who highlighted the need for regulation and responsible management of AI so that its development contributes to sustainable city development. With regards to the real estate market, this means the emergence of new investment opportunities, but also increased demands on infrastructure, energy efficiency and planning.

A stronger role for cities and the public sector

A significant feature of this year’s trade fair was also the strong participation of political representatives – ministers and mayors from Europe, the Middle East and Africa arrived in Cannes, including representatives of cities such as Madrid, Rome, Stockholm and Copenhagen. This trend confirms the growing importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors. Urban development, infrastructure construction and addressing the housing crisis increasingly depend on coordination between investors, developers and public authorities. One of the key platforms for these discussions was the Political Leaders Summit, where participants shared experiences and strategies for tackling common urban challenges.

Global projects: emphasis on multi-purpose and long-term value

MIPIM traditionally also serves as a showcase for the largest development projects. Particular attention was attracted this year by the issue of large-scale urban complexes combining housing, offices, retail and public space. Among the most significant were the New Dammam project in Saudi Arabia, a coastal city worth USD 26 billion, and the USD 3 billion investments in a new district in Riyadh. As for Europe, notable examples included the Turku Science Park in Finland with an investment of Euro 4 billion or the London project 85 Gracechurch Street, which combines modern development with historical heritage. The common denominator of these projects is a strong emphasis on long-term sustainability, multifunctionality and the ability to respond to changing user needs.

MIPIM AWARDS 2026

Market in a phase of reassessment

Overall MIPIM 2026 can be interpreted as a signal that the real estate market has entered a new phase. After a period of cheap capital and rapid growth comes an era of greater caution emphasis on quality and a search for a new balance between return and risk. Investors remain active but their decision-makingis rather analytical than speculative. Long-term potential sectors such as residential projects infrastructure and data centres are coming to the forefront while riskier projects are moving into the background.

MIPIM once again confirmed its role as a key meeting point where global capital meets particular investment opportunities and where the main trends shaping the future of the realestate market are formed.

Darja Zajicova /Photo: MIPIM – RX France