MSP 501 Report: MSP Channel Prepares for Major AI Revenue Growth

Nearly one-third of MSP 501 respondents projected AI revenue growth above 20% in 2026, while more than half expected gains above 10% as more than 1,500 MSPs and B2B technology leaders gather in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a core managed service for nearly three-quarters of managed service providers (MSPs) as the channel prepares for significant AI revenue growth and expands the technology across customer services.

New findings from Informa's 2026 MSP 501 Survey Insights Report show nearly one-third of MSP 501 respondents projected that AI revenue would increase more than 20% in 2026 compared with 2025. In total, more than half expected gains above 10%.

The outlook remains strong into 2027. Fifty-seven percent expect AI to rank among their biggest revenue gainers over the next 12 months, up from 37% last year and second only to managed security.

The findings will help frame main stage panel discussions at MSP Summit 2026, Sept. 28-30 in Orlando, where more than 1,500 MSP and channel leaders will examine how providers can turn AI adoption into repeatable services, stronger margins and recurring revenue. MSPs and channel leaders can connect with the leaders behind the report’s findings by registering for the event at https://themspsummit.com/.

"MSP 501 honorees and MSPs to Watch are on the front lines putting AI to work for their customers, whether they are deploying chatbots for customer experience, applying AI to protect company data or automating business processes," said Robert DeMarzo, co-author of the report and content leader for Informa Connect Channels. "The data tells us that the business opportunity around AI services is going to accelerate MSP growth and put the $650 billion managed services market on a trajectory to double in just a few years. Every eye is on the MSP and IT services channel as partners become the center of AI."

The AI Questions MSPs Will Tackle in Orlando

The 2026 report also showed that overall AI use continues to broaden: 91% of MSPs offer or use AI solutions, up from 79%, while the share providing custom AI solutions rose to 36% from 21%.

At the same time, AI is creating additional internal value: 54% of MSPs cite employee productivity as a key use, while 35% cite reducing repetitive work and 31% cite faster delivery times.

The findings put a new set of commercial questions at the center of MSP Summit 2026:

• What AI services are customers willing to pay for?
• How should MSPs package and price those services as AI capabilities rapidly evolve?
• When should providers build, buy or partner?
• And how can MSPs use AI to scale their own operations while protecting margins, service quality and customer trust?

MSPs Grow Recurring Revenue Faster Than Overall Revenue

Now in its 19th year, MSP 501 by Informa is a global ranking and research program for MSPs. The report draws on business inputs, aggregated financial and operating data from more than 600 MSP 501 and MSPs to Watch organizations. Applicants submit verified profit-and-loss information, which Informa analyzes using a proprietary methodology.

Across the MSP 501 and “MSPs to Watch” organizations, customer accounts grew 12.73% while the workforce grew 6.9%, pointing to operating leverage from automation, tooling and process standardization. Recurring revenue grew 11.9%, outpacing total revenue growth of 9.6%.

Eighty-nine percent of surveyed MSPs reported EBITDA margins of at least 6%, including 42% with margins above 15%, and 67% anticipate double-digit revenue growth in 2026.

The 2026 MSP 501 Survey Insights Report is sponsored by Ingram Micro. Informa retained complete editorial independence in conducting the survey and analyzing the results.

Media attending MSP Summit 2026 can request interviews with the report's authors, MSP 501 honorees and participating MSP executives to discuss the findings and how AI is changing the economics of managed services.

MSP 501 Community to Gather in Record Numbers at MSP Summit 2026

The MSP 501's top-performing providers will gather in record numbers at MSP Summit 2026. VIP passes and the invite-only MSP 501 Awards Gala on Sept. 30 have sold out. Both groups of attendees include current MSP 501 award winners and select past honorees, demonstrating the strength and engagement of this year's community and the value its members place on coming together at MSP Summit.

Upcoming Informa channel events include the MSP Summit: AI Symposium on Dec. 9, 2026, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Times Square, New York City, and Channel Partners Conference & Expo 2027, co-located with MSP Summit March 15-18, 2027, at The Venetian in Las Vegas.

About Channel Partners, MSP Summit and MSP 501

Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit serve the global community of technology advisors, managed service providers, channel partners and technology suppliers. Through industry-leading events, educational programming, networking opportunities and recognition programs, they help channel professionals build stronger businesses, forge valuable partnerships and accelerate growth.

Channel Partners Conference & Expo is the world's largest independent channel event serving the entire indirect sales channel, while MSP Summit is the premier event dedicated to the managed services community. The portfolio includes MSP 501, which honors the world's top-performing managed service providers, and MSPs to Watch, which recognizes emerging leaders in managed services.

Learn more at channelpartnersconference.com and themspsummit.com.