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Events 2026

Virtual & Hybrid Events Statistics

Market data on virtual and hybrid event platforms, attendee preferences, engagement rates, and the technologies powering remote event experiences.

30 curated statistics with source citations

$243B
Virtual Events Market
17.8%
Market CAGR
123M+
Hybrid Events Hosted
83%
Higher Attendance

Virtual and hybrid events have evolved from a pandemic necessity into a permanent fixture of the events landscape. The virtual events market reached $243 billion in 2025, growing at a 17.8% CAGR as organizations embrace the broader reach and cost efficiency these formats provide.

With 123 million hybrid events hosted globally in 2025 and 83% of organizers reporting higher attendance compared to in-person-only events, the data clearly supports a multi-format approach to event planning.

These statistics cover market size, attendee engagement, platform adoption, cost comparisons, and the future trajectory of virtual and hybrid event formats.

Market Size & Projections

The virtual and hybrid events market continues rapid expansion.

$243 billion

Global virtual events market size in 2025.

17.8%

CAGR for the virtual events market from 2025 to 2030.

17.65%

CAGR for the hybrid events segment specifically, growing faster than virtual-only.

123 million+

Hybrid events hosted globally in 2025.

$4.8 billion

Virtual event platform market size in 2025.

63%

Of event planners say hybrid events will be the most common format by 2027.

Attendance & Reach

How virtual and hybrid formats expand event audiences.

83%

Of event organizers report higher attendance with virtual or hybrid formats compared to in-person only.

2.5x

Average increase in total event reach when adding a virtual component to an in-person event.

35%

Of virtual event registrants attend live, with 55% watching on-demand replays.

72%

Of virtual attendees are from different geographic regions than in-person attendees.

47 minutes

Average viewing time for virtual event sessions.

41%

Of virtual attendees say they attend events they would not have traveled to in person.

Engagement & Interaction

How engaged virtual and hybrid attendees are compared to in-person.

33%

Of virtual attendees actively engage with polls, Q&A, and chat during sessions.

12 minutes

Average attention span for virtual event content before engagement drops.

68%

Of attendees prefer hybrid events that allow them to choose between in-person and virtual participation.

45%

Increase in engagement when virtual sessions include interactive elements (polls, breakout rooms).

2.3x

Higher content consumption from virtual attendees who watch on-demand replays vs. live-only.

56%

Of virtual attendees say networking remains the biggest challenge of remote events.

Cost & Budget Comparisons

How virtual and hybrid events compare to in-person on cost.

75%

Lower cost per attendee for virtual events compared to fully in-person events.

$15,000-$50,000

Typical platform and production cost for a mid-size virtual event (500-2,000 attendees).

40%

Average savings on venue, travel, and accommodation costs with hybrid formats.

20-30%

Premium added to event budgets to deliver high-quality hybrid experiences.

58%

Of sponsors say they get better ROI from hybrid events due to combined reach.

$250-$500

Average cost per virtual attendee for a professionally produced hybrid event.

Technology & Platforms

The tools and platforms powering virtual and hybrid events.

Zoom Events

Remains the most used virtual event platform in 2025, followed by Microsoft Teams and Hopin.

78%

Of event organizers plan to invest in better virtual/hybrid event technology in 2026.

52%

Of hybrid events use professional live-streaming production with multi-camera setups.

39%

Of organizers use AI-powered features (auto-captions, matchmaking, analytics) in their event platforms.

84%

Of virtual event platforms now offer built-in analytics and attendee tracking.

29%

Of corporate events experimented with immersive/AR/VR elements in 2025.

Methodology

Virtual and hybrid event statistics are sourced from event technology platforms (Bizzabo, ON24, Hopin, Cvent), market research firms (Grand View Research, Allied Market Research), and industry associations (PCMA, Freeman).

Attendance and engagement data is based on aggregated platform analytics across thousands of events. Cost benchmarks represent median values for mid-market organizations. All data points include source citations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the virtual events market?
The global virtual events market reached $243 billion in 2025, growing at a 17.8% CAGR. The hybrid events segment grows even faster at 17.65% CAGR. Over 123 million hybrid events were hosted globally in 2025.
Do virtual events get higher attendance than in-person?
Yes, 83% of organizers report higher attendance with virtual/hybrid formats. Adding a virtual component increases total event reach by 2.5x on average, and 41% of virtual attendees say they would not have traveled to an in-person event.
How much cheaper are virtual events?
Virtual events cost approximately 75% less per attendee compared to in-person events. Mid-size virtual events (500-2,000 attendees) typically cost $15,000-$50,000 for platform and production. Hybrid formats save about 40% on venue and travel costs.
How engaged are virtual event attendees?
33% of virtual attendees actively engage with interactive features. Average viewing time is 47 minutes per session, though attention drops after 12 minutes. Including interactive elements like polls and breakout rooms increases engagement by 45%.
Will hybrid events replace in-person events?
63% of event planners say hybrid events will be the most common format by 2027. However, most see hybrid as complementing rather than replacing in-person events, with 68% of attendees preferring the option to choose their participation format.
What technology is used for hybrid events?
Zoom Events is the most-used platform, followed by Microsoft Teams and Hopin. 52% of hybrid events use multi-camera professional production, 39% use AI features, and 29% experimented with immersive AR/VR elements in 2025.
What is the biggest challenge with virtual events?
56% of virtual attendees say networking is the biggest challenge. Despite this, on-demand replays increase content consumption by 2.3x, and 72% of virtual attendees come from different geographic regions than in-person attendees.
Last updated: February 12, 2026

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