InnoTrans 2026 will open under the banner “Mobility on a global scale – shaping projects and growth opportunities”, signalling a clear focus on the international expansion of the rail and transport technology sector.
Marking 30 years since its launch, the Berlin-based exhibition returns from 22 to 25 September 2026 with a strong emphasis on global collaboration, innovation and long-term investment. Organisers confirm that more than six months ahead of the event, all 200,000 square metres of exhibition space are fully booked. This includes 42 halls, extensive outdoor and track display areas, and the bus exhibition in the Summer Garden.
Kerstin Schulz, Director of InnoTrans, said the early sell-out reflects sustained demand from industry, government and academia for international exchange and practical solutions to the mobility transition.
For the rail sector, the 2026 edition is set to centre on technologies reshaping operations and customer experience. Artificial intelligence, autonomous public transport, cybersecurity, robotics and additive manufacturing will be prominent themes. Digitalisation, data use and electrification will run throughout the programme, reflecting the industry’s drive towards greater efficiency, resilience and decarbonisation.
Night trains are expected to be one of the headline topics. Several exhibitors plan to unveil new mock-ups and concepts aimed at redefining overnight travel as a comfortable and commercially viable alternative to short-haul aviation. With renewed political and public interest in cross-border rail, the segment is positioning itself as both a sustainability solution and a growth opportunity.
In keeping with the technology focus, InnoTrans will host its first Hackathon under the theme “AI on Track”. Participants will develop practical applications of AI to address real-world mobility challenges, underlining the fair’s role not only as a showcase, but as a working forum for innovation.
The 2026 event will also introduce a new networking format through InnoTrans Campus. The Young Generation Round Table, scheduled for 24 September, is designed to connect emerging professionals and industry networks, fostering dialogue on the future direction of mobility.
As the sector grapples with capacity constraints, decarbonisation targets and digital transformation, InnoTrans 2026 appears set to act as both barometer and catalyst. Three decades on, its anniversary edition will focus less on celebration and more on the practical business of shaping the next phase of global rail growth.
