25th WPC Energy Congress 2026

The WPC Energy Congress is one of the oldest and most respected gatherings in the global energy sector. Clearly, the 2026 edition marks a first. The Congress is being hosted in Saudi Arabia for the very first time. This guide covers the dates, venue, theme, program and practical details.Important Update: The Congress Is Live NowOne point needs to be clear from the start. The 25th WPC Energy Congress is taking place right now. It runs from October 11 to 15, 2026 in Riyadh. Moreover, the event was first listed with late April dates on a ticketing page, which was marked as postponed. The October dates are the confirmed schedule on the official Congress website.Event Details at a GlanceDetailInformationEvent name25th WPC Energy Congress (WPC Energy 2026)OrganizerWPC Energy, known as the World Petroleum Council until 2023Start dateSunday, October 11, 2026End dateThursday, October 15, 2026VenueRiyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center (RFECC)AddressKing Khalid International Airport Road, Riyadh 13413, Saudi ArabiaCityRiyadh, Saudi ArabiaThemePathways to an Energy Future for AllExpected attendanceMore than 25,000 energy leaders, policymakers and innovatorsProgram formatMore than 30 plenary, strategic and ministerial sessionsDaily session hoursAround 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, per the ticketing listingRegistrationThrough the official site, wpcenergy2026.orgRelated eventEnergy Week in Riyadh, October 11 to 15, 2026What Is the WPC Energy Congress?The WPC Energy Congress is the flagship event of WPC Energy. It brings together heads of state, ministers, company CEOs, engineers, academics and international media. What's more, it is known as a neutral platform where governments and industry can talk openly about energy.The Congress has a long history. The first one took place in 1933. Today it is held every few years, and the 25th edition is the first one to be hosted in Riyadh.Where Does It Take Place?The Congress is held at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. Most importantly, the same venue hosts the Congress and its exhibition, which makes it easy to move between sessions and the show floor.The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has also voiced its support for the event. Given the size of the program, the city is using the week to show its infrastructure and urban growth to visiting delegates.The Theme: Pathways to an Energy Future for AllThe 2026 theme is Pathways to an Energy Future for All. It focuses on practical routes to an energy system that is low carbon, secure and fair. Additionally, the program mixes policy, innovation and investment talks in one place.Session topics include:Energy securityGlobal oil and gas marketsDigital transformation and AIFinancing and investmentCritical mineralsCarbon managementNatural gasSafetyProgram HighlightsThe week opened on the evening of October 11 with a welcome reception and a Ministerial Gala Dinner. The official inauguration followed on October 12. Speakers included HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy, and Pedro Miras, President of WPC Energy.Congress sessions run from October 12 to 15. Clearly, the final day brings the Closing and Handover Ceremony, where the next host passes into focus. Programme updates are posted on the official Congress website.Energy Week in RiyadhThe Congress sits inside a larger event called Energy Week in Riyadh. This runs on the same dates, October 11 to 15, 2026. It also includes:The IEF17 Ministerial MeetingCEM17 and MI-11, two clean energy ministerial meetingsSessions led by OAPECIndustry and networking eventsMoreover, hosting these meetings in one week gives delegates a chance to attend several high level events on a single trip.Who Should Attend?The Congress is built for energy professionals and decision makers. The groups that gain the most include:Government ministers and policy advisersOil, gas and energy company executivesInvestors and financial institutions in the energy sectorEngineers, researchers and academicsTechnology and service providersPlanning Your VisitA few practical points to keep in mind:Register through the official Congress website, wpcenergy2026.orgCheck the programme page for session times, since the schedule is updated oftenAllow travel time to RFECC, which sits on King Khalid International Airport RoadBook Riyadh hotels early, since Energy Week brings many delegates at onceFinal ThoughtsThe 25th WPC Energy Congress brings the global energy conversation to Riyadh for the first time, from October 11 to 15, 2026. With a full ministerial program, a large exhibition and a wider Energy Week, it is a major event for the sector. Delegates and readers can follow live updates on the official website.