DE‑CIX reports a record 79 exabytes of global data traffic across Internet Exchanges in 2025, a 16% increase over the previous year and more than double the volume seen in 2020. With over 4,000 connected networks worldwide, the surge reflects booming demand from live event streaming, AI workloads, and billions of connected devices.

At DE‑CIX Frankfurt, Europe’s largest IX, annual traffic rose to 48 exabytes, up 6% year‑on‑year.

Champions League Matchday drives peak load

The busiest moment of the year occurred on 9 December 2025 during a UEFA Champions League matchday, when global throughput hit 26.99 Tbit/s. DE‑CIX Frankfurt simultaneously set a new all‑time peak of 18.73 Tbit/s.

“The growth in global data traffic is being driven by streaming, AI workloads, billions of connected devices, and the rise of remote and hybrid work,” said Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE‑CIX. “Resilient, high‑capacity digital infrastructure has never been more critical.”

Strong growth across global locations

DE‑CIX North America saw traffic climb to 11 exabytes (+46%), with Chicago growing 400% to over 650 PB. Madrid and Dubai each reached 2.7 EB, Istanbul rose to 927 PB (+28%), and Southeast Asia grew 140% to 1.2 EB. Newer sites in Mexico City/Querétaro and São Paulo recorded 24 PB and 10 PB respectively.