MPE 2026: Your Guide to Europe's Top Merchant Payments Event

Written By Contextual Solutions

As the global payments industry grapples with the seismic shifts of AI, the mainstreaming of real-time account-to-account (A2A) payments, and the complexities of digital identity, one event stands out as the forum for navigating this new reality: Merchant Payments Ecosystem (MPE) 2026.

Set to take place from March 17-19, 2026, in Berlin, MPE is Europe's largest and most influential community hub for merchant payments, bringing together over 1,600+ payment professionals, 500+ merchants, and 170+ visionary speakers.

As media partners, we believe this year's MPE is an unmissable event for any leader looking to build, innovate, and thrive. And if you decide to come along, you’ll find us there!

Here’s a deep dive into what makes MPE 2026 the definitive gathering for our industry.

A Modular Experience for Actionable Insights

Tired of conferences that are all theory and no practice? MPE has built its reputation on a "modular event design" that empowers you to build an experience tailored to your specific challenges. The program is split into two distinct, high-value tracks: the "on-stage" big ideas and the "off-stage" practical application.

The On-Stage Program will tackle the six most pressing themes shaping the future of commerce:

  1. Agentic Commerce & Payments: Exploring the shift from user-initiated transactions to AI-driven "agents" managing our commercial lives.

  2. The New Payment Infrastructure: Moving beyond legacy systems to embrace A2A payments, orchestration, and programmable money.

  3. Frictionless Checkout & UX: Balancing seamless customer journeys with robust security and compliance.

  4. A2A Payments & Embedded Finance: Analyzing the disintermediation of traditional card rails and the rise of payments within non-financial platforms.

  5. Stablecoins, Regulation, and Cyber Resilience: Navigating the complex regulatory landscape and building systems that can withstand new-age threats.

  6. Identity, Authentication & Trust: The foundational layer for the entire digital economy, from password-less solutions to digital wallets as trust anchors.

While the main stage provides the "what," the Off-Stage Program delivers the "how." This is where the MPE experience truly differentiates itself. Attendees can move beyond passive listening to active collaboration in formats like:

  • MPE NXT: A focused track on professional development in the age of AI, ensuring leaders and their teams have the skills to compete.

  • Roundtables & Workshops: Intimate, moderated sessions designed for peer-to-peer problem-solving and best-practice exchange.

  • Horizons Zone: An innovation accelerator and startup showcase, offering a first look at the technologies and companies that will define the next five years.

Celebrating Excellence: The MPE Awards 2026

Now in its 14th year, the MPE Awards are widely recognized as Europe's most prestigious and independent honor in merchant payments. Entries are officially open, and this year's theme, “Transformation through trust & resilience,” speaks directly to the industry's core mandate.

This isn't just about celebrating flashy tech; it's about honoring the companies and individuals reshaping the ecosystem with innovation, collaboration, and, most importantly, measurable results.

What's new for 2026:

  • 🏆 Chairman’s Award: A new flagship category, the "Merchant Payments Initiative of the Year," will spotlight projects with outstanding, tangible merchant impact.

  • 🤖 Future-Focused Categories: The program has been expanded to include specific focuses on AI, Open Banking, and Embedded Finance, reflecting their central role in the industry.

  • 🎯 Refreshed Criteria: Evaluation will be based on refreshed criteria prioritizing trust, transparency, and provable performance.

Winning an MPE Award is a significant achievement. Winners receive the coveted "Guiding hand" statuette at the glittering MPE Awards Gala Dinner on March 18, 2026. More than that, they gain global exposure across MPE's extensive media channels and a permanent place in the community's Hall of Fame.

Neira Jones, Chair of the judging panel, issued a powerful call to the industry:

“Despite rising competition and economic shifts, the payments ecosystem keeps evolving. Merchants, providers, and partners are adapting through innovation, stronger collaboration, and a focus on ESG values.

At MPE 2026 we honour this spirit of resilience. Our “Guiding Hand” award highlights those who identified key opportunities, built trust through transparent actions, and made real impact.”

Join the Conversation and Secure Your Place

MPE is more than a three-day event; it's a year-round conversation. The MPE community is currently collecting bold predictions for 2026 across themes of infrastructure, intelligence, and identity. Top contributors will be featured in MPE Magazine and across MPE channels, gaining visibility with over 50,000 professionals.

Contextual Solutions is excited to be part of the MPE 2026 journey. This is the place to connect with 1,600+ industry leaders, gain actionable insights, and celebrate the very best of our industry.

Key Deadlines to Watch:

We encourage our readers and clients to seize these opportunities. We look forward to seeing you in Berlin as we collectively shape the future of merchant payments.

Contextual Solutions
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