Building Server Room

2026 Global Data Center Market Outlook

www.jll.com

Navigating AI demand, power constraints and global opportunities in 2026 Additionally, a number of markets have implemented ‘bring your own power’ mandates (Ireland, Texas, et al.), which is fueling this trend. The industry is expanding at a relentless pace, resulting in extended lead times, limited availability of skilled trades and escalating development costs. Between 2020 and 2025, the average global data center construction cost increased from $7.7 to $10.7 million per MW, equating to 7% CAGR. For 2026, JLL is forecasting the average global cost will increase 6% to $11.3 million per MW. Looking for more insights? Never miss an update. Nearly 100 GW of new data centers will be added between 2026 and 2030, doubling global capacity. Get in touch with our research team to find out how we can support your real estate technology strategy with market insights and strategic advice.

30+ Data Center Construction Statistics, Market Size & Trends (2026)

thenetworkinstallers.com

Commercial office buildings, K-12 schools, universities, and government facilities are increasingly consolidating server rooms, deploying on-premises private cloud environments, or expanding their network infrastructure to support higher-density workloads and cloud connectivity. The same principles apply: AI-ready power density, proper cooling capacity, and professionally structured cabling designed with 30–40% spare capacity are just as critical in a 10-rack server room as in a 10,000-rack hyperscale facility. AI workloads contributed over 50% of the U.S. data center construction market growth in 2024, according to Future Market Insights. Machine learning model training and inference are particularly power-hungry—driving hyperscale data center demand to levels that were unimaginable just five years ago. Data centers are being built faster than at any point in history—and the numbers are staggering. If you’re planning, speccing, or advising on a data center project, these construction statistics tell you what you’re actually up against in 2026.

North America Data Center Trends H1 2026 | CBRE

www.cbre.com

With the projects already approved in the construction pipeline, the region is expected to become one of the top five colocation data center markets in North America by 2028. Data center pricing continues to rise, as record-low vacancy rates are forcing occupiers to compete in an increasingly competitive market. Strong demand and limited new data center completions in 2026 make a supply-shock unlikely this year. Source: CBRE Research, CBRE Data Center Solutions, H1 2026. Average asking rates for 250-to-500-kW requirements across primary markets rose by 4.3% in H1, nearly double the 2.5% increase in H1 2025, reflecting growing pricing pressure across smaller deployment sizes. Atlanta had the broadest pricing gains of any market, with rates rising across all four deployment tiers. Source: CBRE Research, CBRE Data Center Solutions, H1 2026. AI demand is driving significant investment in long- and medium-haul fiber infrastructure, creating new national fiber backbones that link major AI clusters to core network hubs. Over 20,000 route miles of new fiber projects were announced in 2026, with operators like Zayo, Lumen and BIG Fiber extending beyond traditional corridors to serve emerging AI markets and hyperscale workloads.

Data Center Trends 2026: Shifting Up a Gear | Accenture

www.accenture.com

Uncover the secrets behind the data center boom—where speed, innovation, and AI collide. Explore the bold moves, rising stars, and game-changing trends set to redefine 2026. As the data center industry accelerates into 2026, leaders face a landscape brimming with both complexity and opportunity. The trends shaping today’s market are not just challenges to overcome—they’re catalysts for reinvention. Here’s how forward-thinking organizations can position themselves for what’s next: Accelerate with agility: Embrace modular design, digital construction, and strategic supply chain partnerships to deliver projects at speed—while remaining flexible to market shifts and emerging technologies. Edge expansion: The surge in 5G, AI, and IoT is driving explosive growth in edge data centers, bringing compute power closer to users and unlocking new market opportunities. Energy and cooling breakthroughs: Advanced hybrid power models and next-generation liquid cooling are reshaping sustainability and reliability for high-density, AI-driven workloads. ... As digital transformation sweeps across industries, data centers have become the backbone of global progress. In 2026, the sector faces unprecedented momentum—driven by surging demand for AI, cloud, and edge computing, and the relentless pursuit of speed, efficiency, and sustainability. This year, Soben, part of Accenture, spotlights the forces shaping the future of data centers. From construction innovation to quantum readiness, these trends reveal how organizations can thrive in a market where agility, partnership, and reinvention are essential.

Data Center Construction Market Size & Growth 2031

www.mordorintelligence.com

Note: Market size and forecast figures in this report are generated using Mordor Intelligence’s proprietary estimation framework, updated with the latest available data and insights as of January 2026. The Data Center Construction Market size is expected to grow from USD 281.34 billion in 2025 to USD 300.38 billion in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 431.39 billion by 2031 at 7.51% CAGR over 2026-2031. January 2026: Equinix announced a USD 15 billion plan for 25 new International Business Exchange facilities across Europe and Asia-Pacific through 2028. Outlays are forecast to expand at a 7.51% CAGR, rising from USD 300.38 billion in 2026 to USD 431.39 billion in 2031.

2026 Trends in Data Center Services & Infrastructure | S&P Global

www.spglobal.com

Discover the ten key trends that 451 Research analysts anticipate across data center services and infrastructure in 2026. ... Need technology industry data and insights? Reports such as this showcase insights derived from a variety of market-level research inputs, including financial data, M&A information and other market data sources both proprietary to S&P Global and publicly available. AI infrastructure players may need to seek off-grid or hybrid power sources to mitigate regulatory risk and reduce the time to market for their sites. We anticipate that regulatory and geopolitical factors will continue to influence global growth patterns. Companies with experience navigating these challenges that can rapidly adapt their infrastructure and sourcing strategies and coordinate well with local authorities will have a competitive advantage, particularly for large-scale facilities. ... S&P Global Energy Horizons 451 Research provides essential insight into key trends driving digital transformation across the entire technology landscape. By offering a combination of expert analyst insight and differentiated data, 451 Research enables the industry with the information and perspectives they require to make more effective decisions. Reports such as this offer a holistic perspective on key trends and themes driving the technology space over the coming year. These markets evolve quickly, so 451 Research offers a wide range of research services that provide critical marketplace updates on an ongoing basis.