Overview
- Organisers reported roughly 142,800–143,000 total spectators and a 71% overall citywide occupancy, figures disclosed in balance briefings on Thursday.
- Festival-managed venues sustained very strong demand with about 95% average occupancy and the Montjuïc Teatre Grec amphitheatre reached about 96% occupancy.
- The 50th edition expanded programming to roughly 96–99 proposals and drew new audiences, with organisers saying about 7,000 people attended for the first time and 58% of shows staged in Catalan.
- Consecutive heat waves and long daytime exposure made seating and performer comfort a persistent problem, prompting officials to say they will study cooling and seating fixes rather than move the festival from July.
- Critics offered mixed reviews that noted standout sell-outs and artistic highlights alongside complaints that the festival has grown more institutional than the original self-managed spirit, a debate linked to the city’s increased budget of about €4 million for the anniversary.