World Tunnel Congress (Antwerp, 23-29 Apr 2027): dates and congress guide

The World Tunnel Congress 2027 runs from 23 to 29 April 2027 in Antwerp, Belgium, with Antwerp Expo as its main venue. It is organised by the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES) together with the Belgian tunnelling association ABTUS-BVOTS, under the theme "Underground Creativity to Meet Societal Needs". The ITA General Assembly meets during the congress.

At a glance

• Dates: 23-29 April 2027, with technical sessions on 26-28 April.
• Venue: Antwerp Expo; ITACET training at "A Room with a Zoo", next to Antwerp Central station.
• Organisers: ITA-AITES and ABTUS-BVOTS.
• Format: scientific and technical congress with exhibition.
• Size: 800+ abstracts, 100+ exhibitors and sponsors, 1,800+ attendees, 40+ countries, according to the organisers.

Programme

The week opens with ITACET training on 23-24 April and a welcome reception on 25 April. The opening ceremony on 26 April features the Muir Wood Lecture by Eivind Grøv, and technical sessions run until 28 April, the night of the gala dinner. Twelve topics cover design and construction technologies, mechanised tunnelling, immersed tunnels, ground investigation, monitoring, safety and risk, life-cycle management and digital transformation, among others.

Technical tours on 29 April

Some tours are directly relevant to rail and urban transit, notably the renovation of Antwerp's roughly fifty-year-old premetro network and the Oosterweel Link works, including an immersed tunnel under the Scheldt and cut-and-cover tunnels beneath the Albert Canal. Others visit the HADES underground laboratory in Mol, the Westerschelde tunnel in the Netherlands and the Beveren tunnel. The organisers note that tours may change.

Why attend

More and more of Europe's flagship rail projects run underground, from Alpine base tunnels to metro extensions and underground stations. WTC is where owners, designers and contractors compare notes worldwide. In the TrainsNews team's view, it is of high interest for infrastructure specialists and of limited interest for operations.

Fees and deadlines

A standard pass costs €975 including VAT at the early-bird rate (until 15 January 2027), then €1,155 until 27 March 2027 and €1,300 afterwards. Reduced rates apply to Young Members under 35, students and category III countries; a day pass costs €550. Full papers are due by 25 October 2026, with acceptance notifications on 14 December 2026.

Getting there

A direct train links Brussels Airport with Antwerp Central in 34 minutes, and trams 2 and 6 run from the station to the "Antwerp Expo" stop in front of the venue. Paris is about two hours away by high-speed train, London about three. Antwerp operates a low-emission zone.

Frequently asked questions

When is WTC 2027?

From 23 to 29 April 2027 in Antwerp, with technical sessions on 26-28 April.

How much is registration?

€975 incl. VAT until 15 January 2027, then €1,155, then €1,300.

Are there rail-related site visits?

Yes, including the Antwerp premetro renovation on 29 April.

Published 19 October 2026. Dates and details verified on the official website: wtc2027.com. Spotted an error? Report it.

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