IFA 2026: The World’s Largest Tech Show for Consumer Electronics, Home Appliances and Future Tech Reports Record Results

Berlin, September 8, 2026 – IFA Berlin, the world’s largest event for consumer electronics, home appliances and future tech, has drawn a successful conclusion. With 240,000 visitors from 155 countries and more than 2,000 exhibitors, IFA 2026 exceeded the previous year’s figures and strengthened its position as a global platform for technology, retail, media, culture and politics. For five days, IFA brought the most important technology trends and innovations to life on the Berlin exhibition grounds.

At IFA, technology was particularly compelling where it makes things easier for people and reduces complexity. For example, when a dishwasher automatically selects the right program; when a washing machine takes care of detergent dosing; or when intelligent systems use energy and water more efficiently. AI applications, smart devices, intelligent irrigation and connected outdoor kitchens make it clear: the smart home extends all the way into the garden.

In addition to established exhibition areas such as Home Appliances, Beauty Tech & Wellbeing, Audio and Computing & Gaming, the topics of AI, mobility and robotics shaped IFA 2026.

More robots than ever before could be seen on the exhibition grounds: from autonomous robotic mowers and smart household robots to humanoid robots that may support users in everyday life in the future. As part of “Robots on the Runway”, humanoid robots and entertainment robots presented their capabilities on the Creator Stage and interacted with the audience. IFA also showcased mobility solutions, from electric cars and connected vehicles to flying car concepts. In doing so, the tech show covered the full spectrum of consumer electronics, home appliances and future tech.

For retail and industry, IFA 2026 offered plenty of space for exchange and target-group-oriented formats, some of them new: the IFA Retail Leaders Summit brought together more than 100 high-ranking international decision-makers from retail and industry. They discussed topics such as the role of AI in the purchasing process, omnichannel strategies, fulfillment and logistics, as well as the role of marketplaces. The newly created Retail Innovation Zone made forward-looking store concepts, services and business models tangible in a practical way. The IFA Global Markets area connected suppliers from more than 20 countries with buyers and product managers, thereby strengthening its position as an international sourcing platform for consumer electronics, home appliances and future tech. With around 300 exhibitors from 24 countries, IFA Next also strengthened its importance as a showcase for start-ups, research and forward-looking technologies – from humanoid robotics and smart glasses to AI wearables and smart living.

IFA’s stage and media program was systematically further developed in 2026. Across 47 press conferences during the Media Days and the subsequent IFA days, more than 5,200 press representatives, bloggers and content creators learned about exhibitors’ product innovations and new developments. With more than 150 stage sessions such as keynotes and panels and over 350 speakers, the content program was significantly more extensive than in the previous year. International executives, industry experts, politicians and creators discussed socially, economically and ecologically relevant topics as well as forward-looking trends on the various IFA stages.

The Creator Hub was also further expanded: more than 1,500 influencers, creators and streamers took part in IFA 2026. This represents an increase of 25 percent compared with the previous year. In the Creator Hub, IFA 2026 brought content creators together with international brands, platforms and technology companies. Panels and sessions addressed how AI-supported workflows, new social media formats and professional production technologies are changing the creative process. The exhibition “Art Shapes the Future”, jointly initiated by Fotografiska, Volkswagen R and IFA, complemented the program with artistic perspectives on the relationship between humans and technology.

With the IFA Podcast Days, the expanded Outdoor & Gardening area, “Robots on the Runway” and the IFA Playbox, IFA 2026 introduced additional activations for visitors. The new IFA Podcast Days brought successful podcasts and their hosts live to the IFA stages. These included “Ronzheimer” with Paul Ronzheimer, Pietsmiet, “Fast & Curious” with Lea-Sophie Cramer and Verena Pausder, “Wine Wednesday” with Jani and Alina, “Mord auf Ex” with Leonie Bartsch and Linn Schütze, as well as the “AI Update” from heise with Isabel Grünewald and Dr. Sabrina Patsch. The live podcasts brought current debates, entertainment and well-known voices directly together with their audiences. In the Outdoor & Gardening area, visitors were able to discover intelligent solutions for gardens and outdoor spaces. For the first time, the IFA Playbox offered its own experience world for families and children.

IFA was once again a central meeting point for politics and business. During the opening tour, Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and State Modernization; Dr. Silke Launert, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space; Berlin’s Mayor and Senator for Finance Stefan Evers, representing the Governing Mayor of Berlin; and Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Berlin Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, learned about exhibitors’ product innovations.

The second edition of the IFA Innovation Awards recorded a significant increase compared with the previous year, with more than 530 applications. At the same time, numerous international brands used IFA 2026 for product premieres, confirming the trade show’s importance as a global stage for new technologies.

However, IFA presented innovations not only in the exhibition halls, but also combined technology with culture and entertainment. In the IFA Sommergarten, BUNT. and “Ikkimel & Friends” thrilled audiences with sold-out open-air concerts and brought a festival atmosphere to the exhibition grounds.

You can view the full IFA 2026 Report here:
www.ifa-berlin.com/report2026

You can find image material from IFA 2026 here:
Media Galleries | IFA Berlin 2026 – Innovation For All

IFA 2027 will take place from September 3 to 7, 2027, with the Media Days on September 1 and 2, 2027.

IFA Berlin is the world’s largest event for consumer electronics, home appliances and future tech and celebrates over a century of innovation. Since 1924, IFA Berlin has been the leading global platform where technology leaders, innovators and industry experts come together to present groundbreaking products and shape the future of consumer electronics and home appliances. The event takes place every September in Berlin.

Further information about IFA Berlin 2026: ifa-berlin.com/de/
Listen to IFA here (Innovation For All – The IFA Podcast): open.spotify.com

IFA Berlin Press Department
press@ifa-management.com

Sonja May
Director PR & Corporate Communications
s.may@ifa-management.com

Thalissa-Jennifer Klaps
PR Manager
t.klaps@ifa-management.com

Vivien Gilow
PR Manager
v.gilow@ifa-management.com

Photos: © IFA Management GmbH | GFU Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH