Best Clubs in the World 2026: 400,000 Votes Cast
The race to be named among the best clubs in the world 2026 has reached another major milestone. More than 400,000 public votes have already been cast in The World’s 100 Best Clubs™ 2026, with a record-breaking 646 venues from 76 countries competing for a place in the final ranking.
Public voting will remain open until November 2, while the complete list of the world’s top 100 clubs will be revealed on November 17, 2026, during the Golden Moon Awards Gala in Barcelona.
This year’s competition is the largest and most international edition of the ranking organised by the International Nightlife Association to date.
Record number of clubs competing worldwide
A total of 646 venues are competing for recognition among the best clubs in the world 2026.
Spain leads the list with 88 nominated venues, followed closely by the United States with 87 and the United Kingdom with 48.
Other countries with a strong presence include:
- Italy – 29 clubs,
- Australia – 25,
- Colombia – 24,
- Canada – 19,
- France – 19,
- Germany – 19,
- Japan – 17.
Several internationally recognised nightlife destinations are also particularly well represented at city level.
Ibiza and Las Vegas each have 16 nominated venues, while Amsterdam and Dubai have 14 each. London follows with 13 clubs in the competition.
The figures underline the increasingly international nature of the nightlife industry and the growing competition between venues from major entertainment destinations around the world.
Voting for the best clubs in the world 2026 continues until November 2
Nightlife fans can continue voting until November 2, 2026.
Each person is allowed to vote for up to three different clubs. However, only one vote per individual venue is permitted. If several votes are submitted for the same club by one person, only the first will be considered valid.
Votes can be cast through the International Nightlife Association’s official platform.
Public voting represents 50% of the final result. The remaining 50% will be determined by an international professional jury.
Professional jury to evaluate nominated clubs
The professional evaluation process is scheduled to run from October 1 until November 15.
Rather than focusing solely on popularity, the jury will assess a wide range of elements related to the quality and management of each venue.
The criteria include artistic programming and investment, security measures for guests and staff, VIP services, online reservation management, acoustics, soundproofing, sound systems, comfort and overall customer service.
Awards and industry recognition, quality certifications, social media presence and online reputation will also form part of the evaluation.
Sustainability is another important factor. The jury will consider venues’ commitment to sustainable practices and initiatives connected with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As a result, the final The World’s 100 Best Clubs™ 2026 ranking will combine the preferences of nightlife fans with an assessment by industry professionals.
The World’s 100 Best Clubs 2026 to be revealed in Barcelona
The final ranking will be announced on November 17, 2026, when representatives of the international nightlife industry gather at Sala La Paloma in Barcelona for the 11th Golden Moon Awards Gala.
During the event, organisers will reveal all 100 positions in the ranking before announcing the venue taking the number-one spot.
The winning club will receive the Golden Moon Award for World’s Best Club 2026.
Sala La Paloma provides a distinctive setting for the event. The historic Barcelona venue is described by the organisers as Europe’s oldest operating nightclub.
More Golden Moon Awards to be announced
The World’s 100 Best Clubs ranking will be one of the main highlights of the evening, but several other major awards will also be presented.
Winners are expected to be announced across 13 additional Golden Moon Awards categories, including:
- World’s Best DJ 2026,
- World’s Best Festival 2026,
- World’s Best Event 2026,
- World’s Most Sustainable Venue 2026,
- World’s Best Nightlife Business Group 2026.
The official nominees for these additional awards are scheduled to be announced on October 17, exactly one month before the Gala.
Barcelona to host the international nightlife industry
The Golden Moon Awards will form part of two days of events focusing on the present and future of the nightlife industry.
The programme begins on November 16 with the 6th Spanish Nightlife Congress and continues on November 17 with the 11th International Nightlife Congress and the Golden Moon Awards Gala.
Venue operators, nightlife executives, public authorities, suppliers and international experts are expected to meet in Barcelona to discuss some of the most important developments affecting the industry.
Among the key topics will be digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data-driven marketing and the future of venue management.
Other discussions will focus on how AI can improve nightlife safety, cooperation between nightlife businesses and public authorities, sustainability, responsible business practices and the relationship between nightlife, tourism and culture.
The congress will therefore provide a broader industry context for the announcement of the best clubs in the world 2026.
Which venues will make the final top 100?
With more than 400,000 public votes already recorded and 646 clubs from 76 countries competing, this year’s ranking has attracted significant international attention.
Public voting closes on November 2, while the professional jury will complete its evaluation on November 15.
Just two days later, on November 17, Barcelona will host the official announcement of The World’s 100 Best Clubs™ 2026, revealing which venues have secured a place among the world’s leading nightlife destinations.