Formnext 2026 opens 17 November with 800 exhibitors in three consolidated halls

Formnext 2026 runs from 17 to 20 November in Frankfurt, with around 800 exhibitors expected. The organiser has compressed the show into Halls 11.0, 12.0 and 12.1 and adds a Defence Summit and a post-processing special exhibition. Formnext Awards finalists are named and public voting is open, while the early bird ticket rate runs until 22 October.

What changes in the 2026 layout?

The organiser is moving the exhibition from four hall levels into Halls 11.0, 12.0 and 12.1, keeping almost the same total space. The stated aim is shorter walking distances and easier navigation. Around 800 exhibitors are expected across the whole AM value chain.

Which new programme items are planned?

The Formnext Defence Summit is new and will cover requirements in security and defence manufacturing. A special exhibition on post-processing, with guided tours, is also added. The Industry & Application Stage covers cross-industry topics and use cases, while the Technology Stage is for exhibitor product presentations.

What else is on offer?

Returning formats include the Formnext Awards, Discover3DPrinting seminars for newcomers, the Start-up Area and Pitchnext. A VDMA showcase covers AM in mechanical engineering, and BE-AM covers construction. Career Formnext offers a job wall and consulting. The United Kingdom is partner country, and ASTM International runs an AM Innovation and Standards Summit the day before opening.

Tickets and market tone

Visitor tickets are on sale, with an early bird discount until 22 October 2026. The organiser reports that its exhibitor advisory board sees sentiment as clearly more positive than in earlier years, with growth cited in aerospace, defence, energy, medical technology and semiconductors.

What it means

For small and mid sized manufacturers, the programme is more useful than the exhibitor count: business cases, defence requirements, post-processing and the ASTM standards summit touch cost per part, qualification and supply chain directly. The positive sentiment comes from the organiser, so it should be read as a trade fair view, not market data. The consolidated halls make visit planning easier, and a prepared list of questions per exhibitor will save time. This continues the earlier Formnext programme coverage on AddiWire.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is Formnext 2026?

Formnext 2026 takes place from 17 to 20 November 2026 in Frankfurt, in Halls 11.0, 12.0 and 12.1.

What is new at Formnext 2026?

A Formnext Defence Summit and a special exhibition on post-processing are new, and the United Kingdom is partner country.

Until when is the early bird ticket available?

The early bird discount applies until 22 October 2026.