TL;DR

  • Global colocation growth: Structure Research estimates the global colocation installed base at 63.8GW of operational critical IT capacity in 2026, with combined colocation and interconnection revenue reaching US$151.9 billion.
  • Market outlook: By 2031, the market is forecast to reach 213.1GW of operational capacity and US$458.7 billion in combined revenue.
  • 101 markets assessed: The new Global Data Centre Market Tiering 2026 report evaluates 101 markets across commercial colocation, hyperscale cloud and self-build, AI market maturity, and connectivity and network gravity.
  • Leading markets: Northern Virginia ranks first overall, followed by Tokyo, Singapore, London and Sydney.

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Structure Research, an independent research and consulting firm focused on the global digital infrastructure market, has released two complementary reports providing a detailed look at the size, growth and maturity of data centre markets worldwide: the 2026 Global Data Centre Colocation & Interconnection Report and the free-to-download Global Data Centre Market Tiering 2026 report.

The Global Colocation report estimates that the worldwide colocation installed base will reach 63.8GW of operational critical IT capacity in 2026, alongside US$151.9 billion in combined colocation and interconnection revenue. By 2031, those figures are forecast to increase to 213.1GW and US$458.7 billion, respectively.

While the Global Colocation report provides the quantitative foundation, the Market Tiering report offers a comparative view of how individual markets are positioned. The free report uses the regional and metro data underpinning Global Colocation and adds evidence related to hyperscale self-build, cloud regions, AI deployments, power and connectivity.

“A tier tells you where a market sits, but not what is happening inside it,” said Jabez Tan, Head of Research at Structure Research. “The free Market Tiering report provides the comparative map across 101 markets. The Global Colocation report provides the capacity, growth, provider and demand data needed to understand why each market sits where it does and how that position could change. The two reports are designed to be used together.”

Comparing 101 Global Data Centre Markets

Global Data Centre Market Tiering 2026 scores each market from zero to five using 16 metrics across four weighted categories: commercial colocation at 40%, hyperscale cloud and self-build at 30%, AI market maturity at 15%, and connectivity and network gravity at 15%. The resulting composite score places each market into one of four tiers, subject to operational colocation and hyperscaler-presence scale gates.

The framework also distinguishes between projects that represent tangible forward commitments and those that remain announcements. Construction status and capital at risk are factored into the scoring methodology. Financed campuses under construction, signed power allocations and groundbroken programs count toward a market’s position, while large-scale ambitions without a tenant, committed capital or power contract do not.

Among the 101 markets evaluated, 21 are classified as Tier 1, 29 as Tier 2, 30 as Tier 3 and 21 as Tier 4. Northern Virginia ranks first overall, followed by Tokyo, Singapore, London and Sydney. Asia-Pacific contains both the largest Tier 1 and Tier 4 cohorts, highlighting the varying levels of commercial and network maturity across emerging AI-driven deployment locations.

Looking Beneath the Tiers

The Global Colocation report provides additional context behind those rankings, including market sizing and forecasts for more than 90 metro markets, provider market share and competitive positioning, segmentation by buyer class and facility density, and regional analysis of AI demand, supply pipelines, power constraints and permitting.

Together, the reports are designed to give service providers, investors, lenders and end users a stronger foundation for site selection, investment, competitive positioning and market-entry decisions.

The Global Data Centre Market Tiering 2026 report is available as a free download, while an executive summary and the full 2026 Global Data Centre Colocation & Interconnection Report are also available through Structure Research.

To learn more about Structure Research and its research covering data centers, hyperscale platforms, cloud and AI infrastructure, visit structureresearch.net.