In an exciting convergence of technology enthusiasts and WordPress aficionados, the Messe and Congress Center Basel in Switzerland became the epicenter of WordCamp Europe 2025. The event drew an impressive crowd of over 1,723 attendees from a staggering 84 countries, with an additional 20,353 participants joining the proceedings online. This global gathering underscores the widespread influence and reach of WordPress, a platform that powers a significant portion of the web today.
WordCamp Europe 2025 was not just another tech event; it was a vibrant celebration of collaboration, innovation, and community. The conference kicked off with a Contributor Day, a pre-event session dedicated to fostering collaboration among developers, designers, and content creators who contribute to the WordPress project. The day saw 640 contributors, including many newcomers, gather to exchange ideas, solve real-world challenges, and make meaningful contributions to the open-source platform. This collaborative spirit is a hallmark of WordPress, which thrives on the collective efforts of its community.
The event was graced by the presence of Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress, who shared his excitement and vision for the platform’s future, hinting at a clear pathway to version 7.0 and beyond. Accompanying him was Mary Hubbard, the Executive Director, along with a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists who brought valuable insights and perspectives from across the globe. The vibrant city of Basel provided a picturesque backdrop for the event, with its historic streets and views of the Rhine adding a unique charm to the proceedings.
Contributing to the lively atmosphere, the sponsor hall buzzed with activity as companies from the WordPress ecosystem showcased their latest innovations. Live demos and interactive exhibitions provided attendees with hands-on experiences, while the culinary offerings—ranging from Swiss delicacies to international favorites—turned meal times into opportunities for networking and sparking new ideas.
### A Global Gathering in Basel
WordCamp Europe has become a highly anticipated event in the WordPress calendar, known for fostering a spirit of community, creativity, and collaboration. This year’s conference in Basel did not disappoint, delivering an exciting and diverse program that touched every aspect of the WordPress ecosystem.
Attendees were treated to a wide array of sessions and workshops over the course of two full days. The conference featured engaging talks, captivating keynotes, and dynamic discussions that explored the depths of WordPress and the broader web. A standout feature was the global speaker lineup, which included 52 speakers from 23 countries across five continents. Each speaker brought unique insights and global perspectives, enriching the conversations and leaving attendees with much to ponder.
The broad range of topics covered in the sessions included accessibility updates like the European Accessibility Act and the Cyber Resilience Act, the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in the open web, cutting-edge web design, development best practices, search engine optimization (SEO), and content strategy. Real-world case studies and showcases from across the community highlighted practical applications and success stories, inspiring attendees to think creatively and push boundaries.
Interactive workshops provided hands-on learning opportunities, allowing participants to roll up their sleeves and develop practical skills in a collaborative setting. Whether a developer, designer, content creator, or entrepreneur, every attendee found a space to connect, learn, and grow within this vibrant and welcoming community.
### Contributor Day: Building the Future Together
Contributor Day at WordCamp Europe 2025 was a testament to the power of collaboration in the open-source community. Guided by 33 dedicated table leads across 21 teams, contributors of all experience levels came together to work on a variety of initiatives. From accessibility improvements to theme development and translation efforts, every table played a crucial role in advancing the WordPress project.
The day was filled with activities such as onboarding new contributors, triaging tickets, translating strings, improving documentation, and enhancing tools and workflows. Development-focused teams delved into performance and testing improvements while engaging in live coding exercises. Meanwhile, accessibility testers, support volunteers, and photo moderators contributed to efforts that directly impact users around the world.
In parallel, teams focusing on Marketing, Meta, Hosting, and Sustainability worked on future-facing initiatives. From promoting WordPress through the Showcase and social media campaigns to refining infrastructure and increasing accessibility, these efforts are critical in preparing for the long-term growth of the project. This collaborative environment reinforced the core values of the WordPress project: collaboration, inclusivity, and openness. It served as a reminder that WordPress is not just software—it’s a community built by and for everyone.
### Celebrating Open Source Innovation
The first full day of WordCamp Europe 2025 brought the community together to celebrate the power of open-source collaboration and innovation. Opening remarks from both global and local event leads reflected on the journey of WordCamp Europe, from its beginnings in 2013 in Leiden, Netherlands, to the vibrant event in Basel today. This full-circle moment underscored the growth of the WordPress community, united by a shared commitment to an open web.
The keynote session, titled “WordPress Without Borders – The Fight for Digital Freedom,” delivered by Noel Tock, was particularly inspiring. Drawing from his experiences on the frontlines in Ukraine, Tock illustrated how open source supports global resilience and serves as a digital human right. His message called on contributors to see their work as part of something greater, offering a compelling and forward-looking vision to energize and unify the WordPress community.
Throughout the day, the program unfolded across multiple tracks, each sparking new conversations and insights. A standout session highlighted social entrepreneurship in Bulgaria, showcasing how WordPress is helping grassroots organizations drive change in education, journalism, and social justice. Petya Raykovska shared how nonprofits like Teenovator and the Bulgarian Fund for Women are using WordPress to amplify their work and strengthen their communities.
Designers and developers explored ways to improve workflows and collaboration. In the session “Bridging Design and Development,” attendees learned how Figma Design Systems can connect design and development through shared structures mapped to block themes. Real-world examples, like the Novus Media Newspaper Design System, demonstrated how scalable, consistent design can power multi-brand platforms.
Workshops played a key role throughout the day, including the interactive “Block Developer Cookbook: WCEU 2025 Edition,” where attendees worked through community-voted code recipes featuring the latest WordPress APIs. Sessions also dove into emerging technologies, such as “Automating WordPress Setup with Modern AI Tools,” which showcased how WP-CLI, scripting, and AI can accelerate project setup and reduce repetitive tasks.
### The Evolving Role of WordPress
Day two of WordCamp Europe 2025 opened with a focus on the evolving role of the WordPress community in a rapidly changing digital world. Sessions explored how contributors—from local meetup organizers to global advocates—play a vital part in shaping WordPress’s future. Talks on inclusivity, such as “Over the Rainbow,” encouraged attendees to consider how individual actions can help build a more welcoming, representative open-source ecosystem. Throughout the morning, the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose remained front and center.
As the day progressed, attention turned to the tools and technologies pushing WordPress forward. From sessions on scaling multilingual sites and managing observability to hands-on workshops, developers explored new ways to streamline workflows and enhance performance. Highlights included “WordPress Gems for Devs,” which introduced the Interactivity API through live coding, and “Client-side Web AI Agents,” a look at cutting-edge browser-based AI that unlocks new possibilities for web experiences. These talks reflected the platform’s growing capacity to adapt to emerging trends while staying true to its open foundations.
The afternoon brought a blend of practical guidance and inspiring stories across tracks. A case study on accessibility from Switzerland showed how thoughtful design can benefit all users, while a session on brand-building for women entrepreneurs highlighted the creative and economic opportunities WordPress enables. With topics spanning content strategy, business growth, regulatory readiness, and more, the second day of WCEU 2025 affirmed the strength of the WordPress ecosystem—not only as a technology platform but as a global movement fueled by people, purpose, and possibility.
### Fireside Chat: Reflections and Future Directions
As the final day of the event drew to a close, Matt Mullenweg and Mary Hubbard shared their thoughts on various topics, including EU regulation, the Open Web Alliance, AI, and the introduction of the WordPress AI team. They also engaged in a Q&A session with the audience, providing insights into the future directions of WordPress and its role in the broader digital landscape.
### Closing and Looking Ahead
As WordCamp Europe 2025 concluded, a heartfelt thank you was extended to the dedicated organizers, speakers, and attendees who made the event a success. Participants left with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and renewed energy to help shape the future of the open web. The event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of community and collaboration in driving innovation and progress.
Looking ahead, the WordPress community is already gearing up for the final major WordPress events of 2025, including WordCamp US in Portland, Oregon, and WordCamp Europe 2026 in Kraków, Poland. The call for organizers for the 2026 event is already open, inviting passionate individuals to contribute to the ongoing success and evolution of WordPress.
For more information and to stay updated on future events, visit the official WordCamp website.
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