Steffen Bilger, Federal Minister of Transportation, and Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Mobility, opened InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin. Through September 25, 3,170 exhibitors from 59 countries will showcase their latest vehicles, technologies, and solutions for the mobility of the future. With a gross exhibition area of 200,000 square meters, the event occupies all 42 halls as well as the track and outdoor areas of the completely sold-out Berlin Exhibition Center.

With around 200 more companies than in 2024, this 15th edition is the largest InnoTrans in its history. Exactly 30 years ago, the world’s leading trade fair for transportation technology celebrated its premiere in Berlin – back then with just 172 exhibitors. Thirty-two national pavilions from 25 countries, including Japan, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and Argentina, as well as 14 delegation tours from Finland, the U.S., Canada, and India, highlight the exceptionally high level of international participation at this year’s event.

The significance of InnoTrans as the world’s leading trade fair was also reflected in the high-profile lineup at the opening ceremony. Speakers included Federal Minister of Transportation Bilger and EU Commissioner for Transport Tzitzikostas, as well as top industry representatives such as Martin Sion (Alstom), Michael Peter (Siemens Mobility), Petr Novotný (Škoda), and Ian Choudri (California High-Speed Rail Authority). Under the theme “Mobility on a Global Scale – Shaping Projects and Growth Opportunities,” they discussed the challenges of international cooperation, the expansion of high-performance transportation infrastructure, and the importance of rail for the mobility of the future before an audience of more than 1,800 invited industry representat

“Rail is one of the most important projects for the future of modern mobility,” says Federal Minister of Transportation Bilger. “No other system transports so many people and so much freight in such an energy-efficient and climate-friendly way. InnoTrans shows us what modern mobility will look like tomorrow.”

“Thirty years after the first InnoTrans, we’ve set a new record with 3,170 exhibitors. This development demonstrates the international appeal the event has today,” says Dirk Hoffmann, COO of Messe Berlin. “InnoTrans is where the global rail industry comes together – to initiate business deals, strengthen partnerships, and collaborate on the major mobility projects of the coming years.”

InnoTrans is celebrating its 30th anniversary with numerous special events. A specially designed anniversary T-shirt (“30 Years and still rocking!”) commemorates three decades of InnoTrans and is available exclusively at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Another highlight is the Anniversary Night – InnoTrans Goes Asia on September 24. InnoTrans Asia will make its debut in 2027 (September 7–9) at the Singapore Expo; at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, it will be represented for the first time with its own booth.

“The record number of exhibitors – and especially the exceptionally high number of around 700 companies participating in InnoTrans for the first time – send a strong signal from the industry,” says Kerstin Schulz, director of InnoTrans. “For 30 years, InnoTrans has stood for the future of mobility – and it is precisely this future that visitors can experience here.”

With the InnoTrans Convention, the trade show will once again offer a comprehensive program for professional and political exchange in 2026. At the Dialogue Forums, industry associations such as the VDB, UNIFE, DVF, VDV, and STUVA will bring together international decision-makers from industry, transportation companies, associations, and politics. Overview of the Dialogue Forums and Convention:

• German Railway Industry Association: Shaping Transformation: Railway Technology on a Subscription Basis (September 23, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

• International Design Center Berlin: Holistic, Resilient, and User-Oriented – Cross-Industry Strategies for Successful Interior Design Solutions (September 23, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

• German Transport Forum: Growth Through Efficiency Gains – For an Economical, High-Performance, and Future-Proof Railway Sector (September 23, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.)

• International Tunnel Forum (STUVA): Tunnels – The Key to Ecology and Quality of Life (September 23, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.)

• UNIFE: Shaping the Future of ERTMS – Success Stories and Future Outlook (September 24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

• Public Transport Forum (ETC Solutions): Technology in Transition – Artificial Intelligence as a Driver of Efficiency in Public Transportation (September 24, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

• German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI): Resilience in Motion: Navigating the Challenges of Future Mobility (September 24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

• International Tunnel Forum (STUVA): Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Tunnel Construction and Operations (September 24, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

• International Bus Forum (DVF): Connected, Electric, and Autonomous in the Future: How Can We Achieve Rollout and Scaling in Public Transit? (September 24, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

• Rail Industry Association: Future-proof? Cybersecurity as a Driver of Transformation – Challenges and Prospects for the Rail Industry (September 25, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Other highlights include the Rail Leaders’ Summit, where Deutsche Bahn and the Federal Ministry of Transport will bring together international industry leaders, and the inaugural event of the European infrastructure association ENIM. The African European Industry Dialogue on Railways will make its debut, focusing on cooperation between the European and African rail industries.

For the first time, InnoTrans is hosting the “AI On Track” hackathon. More than 50 programmers from around the world will work on specific challenges facing the rail industry during the trade show. The best solutions will be selected and awarded prizes on the final day. This means that innovations at InnoTrans are not just presented – they are created right on site.

Following its premiere two years ago, the Railway Influencer Festival is once again bringing together content creators from the international rail and mobility community with exhibitors and industry representatives. The number of participants has doubled. Awards in four categories will also be presented here on September 25.

Awards will once again be presented to young professionals, with a total of ten Career Awards this year. In addition, the InnoTrans Campus will once again bring companies and young professionals together through the Career Boost (September 23), the Recruiting Lab featuring eight exhibitors, and a total of 11 Career Tours to more than 40 exhibitors. The final day is traditionally University Day.

InnoTrans is the leading international trade fair for transport technology, held every two years in Berlin. The five segments of InnoTrans comprise Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Public Transport, Interiors and Tunnel Construction. InnoTrans is organised by Messe Berlin. The 15th InnoTrans will take place from 22 to 25 September 2026 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Messe Berlin is organising InnoTrans Asia specifically for the Asian market from 7 to 9 September 2027 at the Singapore EXPO grounds. For more information, visit www.innotrans.de and www.innotrans-asia.com and Linkedin.

Berlin has been a trade fair venue for over 200 years, and for many decades one of the most important worldwide. As the trade fair company owned by the capital, every year Messe Berlin conceives, markets and organises hundreds of live events. It aims to be an outstanding host for visitors to every event, to give individuals an optimum boost for their business and ensure fair conditions for everyone. This approach is reflected in the company’s slogan ‘Messe Berlin – Hosting the World’.

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