City guides
Business events in Nuremberg: the trade fairs worth attending in 2026 and 2027
Nuremberg's trade fair calendar at NürnbergMesse: it-sa, SPS, Spielwarenmesse, BIOFACH, embedded world and FACHPACK, with tickets and travel tips.
By the atndr teamPublished 6 min read
The short answer
Nuremberg's business events are specialist international trade fairs held almost entirely at NürnbergMesse, the city's exhibition centre on the U1 underground line. The best known are it-sa (27–29 October 2026), SPS (24–26 November 2026), Spielwarenmesse (2–6 February 2027), BIOFACH (16–19 February 2027), embedded world (16–18 March 2027) and FACHPACK (21–23 September 2027). Most are trade-only. Tickets are usually bought online and include local public transport.
Key takeaways
- Almost every event on atndr's Nuremberg calendar is at NürnbergMesse (Messezentrum 1, 90471 Nürnberg), about 9 minutes from the main station on the U1.
- The busiest stretch runs from January to March, with HOGA, Spielwarenmesse, BIOFACH, Enforce Tac, IWA OutdoorClassics and embedded world. July and August are quiet.
- Unlike many Asian fairs, Nuremberg shows usually charge visitors. For example, the embedded world 2027 exhibition ticket costs EUR 25 and a one-day it-sa 2026 ticket costs EUR 72.
- Spielwarenmesse, BIOFACH, Enforce Tac and IWA OutdoorClassics admit trade visitors only, and some ask for proof of trade status when you buy a ticket.
- Fair tickets for shows such as it-sa, BIOFACH and embedded world include a KombiTicket for public transport in the Nuremberg fare zone.
On this page
When is the trade fair season in Nuremberg?
Nuremberg has fairs almost all year. The densest period is January to March. Autumn (October and November) and May to June are also busy. July and August are quiet: the only event atndr lists in that period is the rubber industry's DKT 2027, which ends on 1 July.
| Month | Notable events on atndr | Industries |
|---|---|---|
| Oct–Nov 2026 | it-sa, iENA, BrauBeviale, SPS | IT security, inventions, beverages, automation |
| Dec 2026 | Deutscher Wirbelsäulenkongress | Spine medicine |
| Jan 2027 | HOGA, Perimeter Protection, Nürnberger Unternehmer-Kongress | Hospitality, security, SME leadership |
| Feb 2027 | Spielwarenmesse, BIOFACH, Bundeskongress Chirurgie | Toys, organic food, surgery |
| Mar 2027 | Enforce Tac, IWA OutdoorClassics, embedded world | Security and defence, hunting and outdoor, embedded systems |
| Apr–May 2027 | care:xpo, European Coatings Show, PCIM, SENSOR+TEST | Care, coatings, power electronics, sensors |
| Jun 2027 | DOC, FeuerTrutz, DKT | Eye surgery, fire protection, rubber |
| Sep–Oct 2027 | FACHPACK, interlift, KOMMUNALE, European Heat Pump Summit | Packaging, lifts, municipalities, heat pumps |
For the full live list, see business events in Nuremberg.
Which Nuremberg trade fairs are the best known?
Nuremberg is known for specialist fairs that lead their industry worldwide, rather than for general business conferences. These are the ones international visitors most often travel for.
| Event | Dates | Who it's for | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| it-sa Expo&Congress 2026 | 27–29 Oct 2026 | CISOs, IT security managers, consultants | Paid, cybersecurity sector |
| SPS 2026 | 24–26 Nov 2026 | Automation engineers and buyers | Paid day or 3-day pass |
| Spielwarenmesse 2027 | 2–6 Feb 2027 | Toy retailers, buyers, brands | Registered trade only |
| BIOFACH 2027 | 16–19 Feb 2027 | Organic food producers, importers, retailers | Trade only, proof required |
| embedded world 2027 | 16–18 Mar 2027 | Embedded developers, system architects | EUR 25 exhibition ticket |
| PCIM Expo & Conference 2027 | 11–13 May 2027 | Power electronics engineers | Ticket shop opens spring 2027 |
| FACHPACK 2027 | 21–23 Sep 2027 | Packaging buyers in every user industry | Online tickets, trade |
Technology and security
it-sa is Europe's largest trade fair dedicated to IT security. Congress@it-sa starts a day earlier, on 26 October. embedded world is where the embedded systems industry meets, and its two conferences need a separate ticket. Enforce Tac (police and defence) and Perimeter Protection cover security, and FeuerTrutz covers fire protection.
Industry and engineering
SPS has been held every November since 1990 and has more than 1,000 exhibitors in automation. In 2026, industrial AI is its focus theme. In May, PCIM and SENSOR+TEST run on the same dates. The European Coatings Show and DKT serve the chemicals and materials industries.
Food, drink and consumer goods
BIOFACH is the world's leading organic food fair, and its 2027 focus theme is resilient food systems. BrauBeviale serves beverage producers, and HOGA serves hotels and restaurants. Spielwarenmesse is the international toy industry's annual fair.
What is NürnbergMesse and how do I get there?
NürnbergMesse (Messezentrum 1, 90471 Nürnberg) is the city's exhibition centre and hosts every fair in the table above. The U1 underground stops at "Messe", next to the main entrance.
| Route | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nuremberg main station → Messe | U1 towards Langwasser Süd, stop "Messe" | About 9 minutes |
| Nuremberg airport → Messe | U2 to the main station, change to U1 | About 25–30 minutes |
| Airport → Messe by taxi | Main or East entrance | About 30 minutes, roughly EUR 40 |
| Main station → Messe by taxi | — | 10–15 minutes, roughly EUR 25 |
Taxi figures are Spielwarenmesse's own estimates and are not guaranteed. The grounds have more than one entrance and include the NCC congress buildings. For example, PCIM uses NCC Ost for its conference counters. Check which entrance is closest to your hall before you set off.
For large fairs, some organizers run their own coaches from Munich Airport. Spielwarenmesse, for example, runs dedicated coaches several times a day.
How much do Nuremberg trade fair tickets cost?
Most Nuremberg fairs charge trade visitors, and tickets are almost always sold online only. Prices for the current editions on atndr:
- it-sa 2026: one-day ticket EUR 72, ticket for all days EUR 120, parking EUR 14 (including VAT).
- SPS 2026: Day-Pass EUR 60.50 with info service after the early-bird deadline (12 October 2026). The three-day Expo-Pass is EUR 99 with info service, and students pay EUR 11.
- embedded world 2027: exhibition ticket EUR 25 including VAT, valid all three days. The conferences are extra.
- Spielwarenmesse 2027: sold only to registered trade professionals. The ticket shop opens in November 2026, and there are no sales at the venue.
- BIOFACH 2027: trade visitors only. You prove your trade status, for example with a business registration, when you buy the ticket. Tickets are not sold on site.
The ticket often doubles as a transit pass. it-sa, BIOFACH and embedded world tickets include a KombiTicket for public transport in the Nuremberg–Fürth–Stein–Oberasbach–Zirndorf zone on fair days.
How do I make the most of a Nuremberg trade fair?
Book hotels early, buy tickets online, and plan meetings around the exhibitor list.
- Book accommodation as soon as dates are announced. Hotels in Nuremberg fill up during the large February and March fairs. If the city is full, look for hotels on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn network rather than close to the grounds.
- Check the admission rules. Trade-only fairs such as Spielwarenmesse and BIOFACH turn away private visitors. Spielwarenmesse does not admit under-16s, except babies up to six months with an approved participant.
- Combine co-located events. PCIM and SENSOR+TEST both run 11–13 May 2027. Enforce Tac and IWA OutdoorClassics run back to back in early March.
- Register separately for congresses. Congress@it-sa, the embedded world Conference and the BIOFACH Congress have their own programmes. Some need a separate ticket.
- Use the fair apps and exhibitor directories to book meetings before you arrive. Stands at the big fairs are spread across many halls.
To see new Nuremberg fairs as they are added, follow Nuremberg on atndr.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the biggest trade fair in Nuremberg?
- Several Nuremberg fairs lead their industries worldwide, including Spielwarenmesse for toys, BIOFACH for organic food and embedded world for embedded systems. it-sa is Europe's largest trade fair dedicated to IT security.
- Can the public visit Nuremberg trade fairs?
- Usually not. Spielwarenmesse, BIOFACH, Enforce Tac and IWA OutdoorClassics are for trade visitors only, and some ask for proof of trade status. Others, such as it-sa and FACHPACK, are aimed at professionals but do not ask for proof.
- How long does it take from Nuremberg main station to the exhibition centre?
- About 9 minutes on the U1 towards Langwasser Süd, getting off at Messe. From Nuremberg airport, allow 25–30 minutes with a change from the U2 to the U1 at the main station.
- Does a Nuremberg trade fair ticket include public transport?
- For many fairs it does. it-sa, BIOFACH and embedded world tickets include a KombiTicket for public transport in the Nuremberg fare zone on fair days. Check the conditions printed on your ticket.
- When is the busiest time for trade fairs in Nuremberg?
- January to March, when HOGA, Spielwarenmesse, BIOFACH, Enforce Tac, IWA OutdoorClassics and embedded world take place. Book hotels well in advance for these weeks.
Sources
Written and fact-checked by the atndr team. Dates, venues and organizers are checked against each event’s official website; the figures in “At a glance” come live from the atndr calendar. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
