Disasters · Web Summit closureLisbon Web Summit suspended: Wednesday cancelled, Thursday return conditionalWritten November 11, 2026 at 5:33 AM UTCWatchTranscript0:00Lisbon Web Summit suspended.0:02Wednesday cancelled.0:03Thursday return conditional.0:07Web Summit has cancelled an entire conference day because of Storm Charles.0:11Delegates, staff, and contractors lose Wednesday's program as organizers prepare for0:15flooding risks, transport disruption, and strong winds.0:18Whether Thursday's final conference day can safely proceed is still unresolved.0:22On November10 , we reported that the government recommended suspending Wednesday's0:26activities, while the organizers' final decision remained unconfirmed.0:29Web Summit has now cancelled the whole day, resolving that uncertainty and ending0:33the prospect of a partial Wednesday program.0:35The conference takes place beside the Tagas in Lisbon's Park of Nations, Ferra0:39International de Lisboa, known as FIL, is among its venues.0:43That riverside setting puts tidal flooding alongside travel disruption among the0:47practical concerns for a large gathering.0:49Wednesday, November11 , is cancelled in full.0:52Thursday, November12 , remains the organizer's intended return after the storm0:56passes.0:57Web Summit says it will monitor conditions with authorities and emergency services1:01before providing further confirmed updates.1:03The cancellation notice is dated Tuesday, November10 .1:06It settles the operating decision for the following day.1:09The conference had been scheduled for November9 through12 , so the intended Thursday1:13return would preserve its final scheduled day.1:15Mayor Carlos Moedas had warned that Wednesday operation looked unlikely.1:19Prime Minister Luz Montenegro then recommended suspension as a safety precaution.1:23Web Summit accepted the government's advice and made the cancellation explicit.1:27Those were separate steps toward the final decision.1:29Montenegro cited the safety of about seventy-zero participants.1:32The conference was reportedly expecting that many people from164 countries across1:37the event.1:37Those figures describe its expected international scale.1:40They don't tell us how many people would have attended on Wednesday.1:43Web Summit identified tidal flooding, severe disruption to public transport, and1:47high winds affecting external structures as the threats.1:50Those were anticipated hazards behind the precaution.1:53Organizers had discussed the situation with the government, Portugal's Civil1:56Protection Authority, and the Public Security Police.1:59Portugal's mainland civil protection alert covers the whole of Wednesday.2:02Lisbon also announced road tunnel, public park, and cultural venue closures from2:06midnight.2:06Together, those restrictions complicate journeys and event operations while the city2:10prepares for severe weather.2:12The earlier ministerial position that closing Lisbon Metro wasn't being considered2:15came with a warning that circumstances were changing.2:18Delegates can't treat that statement as a promise of normal Wednesday service.2:21Water reportedly entered part of F on Tuesday, including the passage between2:25pavilions four and five.2:27The cancellation notice identifies the wider storm threats as the safety concerns2:31driving Wednesday's decision.2:33It doesn't attribute the cancellation to a particular roof failure.2:36Web Summit says the safety of attendees, staff, and contractors is its priority and2:40promises to contact those affected directly.2:42Its announcement gives no detailed site, access instructions, refund policy, or2:47rescheduling timetable.2:48Web Summit's plan for Thursday depends on the storm passing and on conditions being2:52safe enough to proceed.2:53The organizer will keep working with authorities and emergency services, monitor2:57conditions, and issue further updates when it has confirmed information.3:00Wednesday's conference program is cancelled.3:02Thursday's final day still awaits a confirmed operating announcement.Read the articleStory timelineHeyDex
