Oncology · Annual Conference
ESMO Congress 2026
Organised by the European Society for Medical Oncology
Dates23–27 Oct 2026
LocationMadrid, Spain
Trainee€290
FormatHybrid option
ESMO Congress 2026 is a hybrid global oncology meeting at IFEMA MADRID from 23 to 27 October 2026, with more than 296 scientific, educational, poster and networking sessions streamed live through the Virtual Congress Platform. Registration is open; regular abstracts are closed, while eligible final late-breaking abstracts are due by 8 September 2026.
Next stepReady to attend?
Register
Dr Robert BaxterAt a glance
NetworkingOnsite networking with speakers, faculty and peers is included, alongside…View detail
Onsite networking with speakers, faculty and peers is included, alongside a large exhibition and the official #ESMO26 social conversation across six platforms.
Research ValueRegular abstracts, Trials in Progress and late-breaking abstracts feed Presidential…View detail
Regular abstracts, Trials in Progress and late-breaking abstracts feed Presidential Symposium, Proffered Paper, Rapid Oral, Poster and ePoster formats; accepted work is published in the ESMO 2026 Abstract Book as an Annals of Oncology supplement.
Trainee RelevanceMember-in-training registration is €180 early, €220 late and €290 full;…View detail
Member-in-training registration is €180 early, €220 late and €290 full; undergraduate-student registration is €120, €150 and €220. Young Oncologist sessions and abstract presentation routes are included in the programme.
ProgrammeSchedule and session highlights＋
Key Themes
Practice-changing clinical trialsPrecision oncology and biomarkersArtificial intelligence and digital healthTranslational and basic cancer scienceMultidisciplinary cancer careSupportive and palliative careYoung oncologist developmentCancer nursing and patient advocacy
11:30–13:00
Opening session
Opening session
13:30–15:00
Proffered Paper
Breast cancer, early and advanced stage
15:15–15:45
Keynote
Keynote lecture 1keynote
13:30–15:00
Scientific session
Transforming oncology with generative AI and autonomous tools
16:15–17:45
Scientific session
Emerging therapeutic strategies in advanced prostate cancer
16:15–17:45
Scientific session
Ensuring compassionate integrated palliative and oncology care: Best practices, approaches, and decision-making
13:30–14:30
Young Oncologist
YO Mentorship session
15:15–16:00
Poster
Poster Display session
SpeakersKeynotes and featured experts＋
FA
Fabrice André
Villejuif, France
Congress President
YJ
Yelena Janjigian
New York, United States of America
Scientific Co-Chair
JL
James Larkin
London, United Kingdom
Scientific Co-Chair
NH
Nadia Harbeck
Munich, Germany
Educational Chair
AbstractsClosed · 12 May 2026＋
Abstract submissions are closed
Deadline: 12 May 2026
What You Can Submit
Regular abstractTrials in ProgressLate-breaking abstractPresidential SymposiumProffered PaperRapid OralPosterE-Poster
Submission Specifications
Status
Regular abstracts, Trials in Progress and intent-to-submit late-breaking abstract placeholders closed on 12 May 2026 at 21:00 CEST; final late-breaking abstracts close on 8 September 2026 at 21:00 CEST.
Embargo
Accepted abstract data remain embargoed until ESMO publication release dates; data beyond the abstract may only be public at the start of the official session.
Structure
Regular abstracts should cover Background, Methods, Results and Conclusions; ESMO says the section titles do not need to be typed because they use character allowance. Trials in Progress require Background and Trial design only.
Oral Specs
Proffered Paper presenters are advised to use up to 14 slides for a 10-minute presentation; Rapid Oral presenters up to 8 slides for a 5-minute presentation. Slides are due 22 September 2026, or 2 October 2026 for LBAs.
Word Limit
Maximum 2,000 characters excluding spaces. The limit includes title, abstract body and table, but excludes author names and institutions.
Eligibility
First author/presenter must be over 18. ESMO/EONS members in good standing may submit more than one first-author abstract but present a maximum of two; non-members may submit and present one first-author abstract only.
Publication
Accepted abstracts, including late-breaking abstracts, are published post-congress online only in the ESMO 2026 Abstract Book, a supplement to Annals of Oncology.
Case Reports
Case-report abstracts are explicitly rejected by the ESMO abstract regulations.
Poster Specs
Poster presenters must attend onsite, print a landscape 190 cm x 110 cm paper poster, include disclosure and funding statements, and also upload an ePoster PDF.
Eposter Specs
ePosters are PDF files, landscape 190 cm x 110 cm, maximum 500 MB, due by 21 October 2026 at 21:00 CEST; ePoster-only presenters do not need to attend onsite.
Late Breaking
Late-breaking abstracts are for high-quality new findings from prospective interventional trials, large observational/real-world series or novel technologies; a preliminary skeleton had to be submitted by 12 May 2026 and final data by 8 September 2026.
Figures Tables
Illustrations and graphs are not permitted. One brief table is allowed, counts as 225 characters by default, and must not exceed 600 characters; multiple tables are not allowed.
Regulations Pdf
https://dam.esmo.org/image/upload/v1770284726/ESMO-Congress-2026-Abstract-Regulations_ahdmjx.pdf
Prior Publication
Encore abstracts are not accepted. Updated data after a prior presentation may be submitted only when the new data are clearly specified and prior presentation details are supplied.
Trials In Progress
Phase I-III Trials in Progress are eligible when recruitment has begun or completed by 12 May 2026 and no protocol endpoint analysis is available; TiP abstracts with results or preliminary data are rejected and can only be poster/ePoster.
Presenter Registration
The presenter or designated replacement must register with full access by 30 September 2026 using the submission email; otherwise the abstract is removed from the programme, online programme and ESMO 2026 Abstract Book.
Presentation Preference
Authors choose Proffered Paper, Rapid Oral, Poster or ePoster, but ESMO Scientific Committee decisions are final. Presidential Symposium is reserved for cutting-edge practice-changing studies.
Categories & Recommended Topics
AI for diagnostics and profiling (pathology, radiology, molecular biology)
AI for clinical workflows and decision-making
AI for clinical research and drug development
Basic science
New diagnostic tools
Pathology and molecular pathology
Translational research and biomarkers
Breast cancer, early stage
Advanced breast cancer, other
HER2+ breast cancer
HR+ breast cancer
Triple negative breast cancer
CNS tumours
Developmental therapeutics
Biliary tract cancer, incl. cholangiocarcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Oesophagogastric cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Colon cancer
Rectal and anal cancer
Germ cell (testicular) cancer and penile cancer
Localised and locally advanced prostate cancer
Metastatic prostate cancer
Renal cancer
Urothelial cancer
Gynaecological cancers
Haematological malignancies
Head and neck cancer, excluding thyroid
Investigational immunotherapy
Melanoma
Non-melanoma skin tumours
Endocrine tumours
Neuroendocrine tumours
Thyroid cancer
NSCLC, early stage
NSCLC, locally advanced
SCLC
Thoracic malignancies, other
NSCLC, metastatic
Policy
Sarcoma
Early detection and intervention
Primary prevention
Secondary prevention and intervention
Palliative care
Psycho-oncology
Supportive care
Miscellaneous
Cancer Nursing: Digital innovation and technology in practice
Cancer Nursing: Equitable health care of underserved population
Cancer Nursing: Palliative and advanced cancer care across the cancer continuum
Cancer Nursing: Prevention, early detection and health promotion
Cancer Nursing: Supportive care and symptom management
Cancer Nursing: Workforce development for the future
Costs & registrationTrainee tickets €290＋
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Early bird registration | €700 |
| Standard (consultant) | €1,645 |
| Trainee | €290 |
| Medical student | €220 |
Submission & registration deadlines2 tracked deadlines＋
Conference timeline3 key dates＋
12 May 2026
Abstract submission deadline
27 Oct 2026
Registration deadline
23 Oct 2026
Conference begins
Venue & travelIFEMA MADRID · Madrid＋
TaxiUse IFEMA South Access as the taxi drop-off point.
MetroFeria de Madrid station on Metro Line 8 (Nuevos Ministerios–Aeropuerto T4); the exit is opposite IFEMA South Access.
By BusRoutes 73 (Diego de León–IFEMA), 112 (Mar de Cristal–Barrio del Aeropuerto) and 122 (Avenida de América–IFEMA).
By TrainMadrid Atocha, Madrid Chamartín and Madrid Puerta de Atocha are the principal stations; delegates can use a 5% discount on eligible long-distance and AVE journeys with ESMO's voucher.
AccommodationBCO Congresos is the official housing agency; ESMO advises early booking and warns against unofficial accommodation sites.
Venue DetailsIFEMA MADRID, Avda. Del Partenón 5, 28042 Madrid, Spain
Transport PassEligible registered delegates receive unlimited Zone A Metro, urban bus and Cercanías travel for five consecutive days from first activation; exclusions include students and several industry/visitor badge classes.
Nearest AirportAdolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport; airport and IFEMA are covered by the Zone A delegate transport pass, including the airport supplement for the return trip.
MedicMess tips12 practical tips＋
MedicMess Tips
- All scientific sessions and satellite symposia are onsite and live-streamed through the Virtual Congress Platform; permitted webcasts appear within 12 hours.
- The platform closes on 30 October 2026; permitted congress sessions then remain on OncologyPRO for five years for ESMO members and six months for registered non-members.
- Early registration closes on 22 July 2026 at 23:59 CEST; late registration closes on 16 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST.
- Individual registration remains open for the duration of the congress; third-party and group registration closes on 7 October 2026.
- Accepted abstract presenters, including ePoster presenters, must have effective registration payment by 30 September 2026 or the abstract is removed from the programme and Abstract Book.
- Regular abstracts have a 2,000-character excluding-spaces limit, allow one short table and do not permit figures or graphs.
- Poster presenters must attend onsite and prepare both a landscape paper poster and an ePoster PDF; ePoster-only presenters do not need to attend onsite.
- Eligible registered delegates receive a five-day Zone A Madrid public-transport pass; ESMO lists exclusions including student and visitor badge classes.
- Feria de Madrid Metro station on Line 8 is opposite IFEMA South Access.
- Use BCO Congresos for official accommodation; ESMO warns about fraudulent housing websites.
- Childcare is available in Hall 1 for children aged 0–12 at €20 per session of up to four hours; pre-booking closes 23 September 2026 and onsite places are subject to availability.
- ESMO Merit Awards were open to ESMO-member first authors under 40 who opted in when submitting; ESMO has now published the 45 selected 2026 recipients.
Complete guideFull MedicMess editorial briefing＋
ESMO Congress 2026 runs at IFEMA MADRID from 23 to 27 October 2026 for oncology clinicians, researchers, nurses, patient advocates and healthcare-industry audiences. The live programme lists more than 296 sessions across five days, including presidential symposia, keynote lectures, proffered papers, rapid oral sessions, posters, education, guidelines, translational science, artificial intelligence, young-oncologist development and nursing.
All scientific sessions and satellite symposia take place onsite and are live-streamed through the Virtual Congress Platform; permitted webcasts appear within 12 hours and later move to OncologyPRO. The programme carries 25 ESMO-MORA Category 1 points.
Registration fees include ESMO member €700 early / €970 late / €1,230 full, member-in-training €180 / €220 / €290, undergraduate student €120 / €150 / €220, and non-member academia or other non-industry €1,090 / €1,365 / €1,645, with 21% Spanish VAT included. Early registration closes 22 July and late registration 16 September; individual registration remains open during the congress.
Regular abstracts, Trials in Progress and late-breaking placeholders closed on 12 May. Eligible final late-breaking abstracts close 8 September 2026 at 21:00 CEST. Abstracts are limited to 2,000 characters excluding spaces, with no figures or graphs and one short table only.
Accepted formats are Presidential Symposium, Proffered Paper, Rapid Oral, Poster Display and ePoster. Presenters must register by 30 September. Accepted abstracts are published online after the congress in the ESMO 2026 Abstract Book, an Annals of Oncology supplement.
IFEMA is opposite Feria de Madrid Metro station on Line 8; registered delegates receive a five-day Zone A transport pass, subject to ESMO's stated exclusions.
Frequently asked
- When is ESMO Congress 2026?
- ESMO Congress 2026 takes place 23–27 Oct 2026 in IFEMA MADRID, Madrid.
- Where is ESMO Congress 2026 held?
- ESMO Congress 2026 is held at IFEMA MADRID, Madrid, Spain. A virtual/hybrid attendance option is available.
- What is the abstract submission deadline for ESMO Congress 2026?
- The abstract submission deadline for ESMO Congress 2026 (12 May 2026) has passed.
- When does registration close for ESMO Congress 2026?
- Registration closes on 27 Oct 2026.
- How much does ESMO Congress 2026 cost?
- Registration is €290 for trainees, €1,645 standard.
- Is ESMO Congress 2026 CPD accredited?
- Yes — ESMO Congress 2026 is CPD accredited (25 CPD points).
Similar conferences
Keep ahead of deadlines
Get Oncology abstract deadlines — and every new conference — emailed to you every Saturday. Free.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.