IFA Media Days 2026 launched

Berlin, September 2, 2026 – IFA Berlin, the world’s largest event for consumer electronics, home appliances and future tech, starts this Friday. The Media Days began today with the Opening Press Conference. To kick things off, Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA Management, focused on the rapid development of artificial intelligence and robotics and their impact on business, society and everyday life. Carine Chardon, Managing Director of GFU Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH, explained the global development and trends in the technical consumer goods industry.

In his opening speech, Leif Lindner described a technological development that is progressing faster than previous industrial transformations. Artificial intelligence is now no longer merely learning to create content and solve complex tasks. It is increasingly beginning to act in the physical world. At the same time, smaller and more energy-efficient AI models are moving directly into smartphones, vehicles, household appliances and other everyday products.

At IFA, visitors will be able to experience over the coming days how AI and robotics are already being used today. At RoboCup, autonomous robots compete against each other in football matches. At “Robots on the Runway”, humanoid robots and entertainment robots show how technology, movement and entertainment are merging.

In addition, IFA brings technology together with culture, business, politics and society. Formats such as the Retail Leaders Summit, the new Retail Innovation Zone, the Smart Living Forum and IFA Next connect international brands, start-ups, retailers, research institutions and political decision-makers. With IFA Moments, the IFA Creator Hub and live podcasts in the Sommergarten, IFA also carries technological debates beyond the exhibition halls.

IFA is now also reaching the next generation: every second private visitor is under the age of 35. Around two thirds of visitors return to IFA.

According to GFU Consumer & Home Electronics, the global market for technology and durable goods is proving resilient despite geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation and significant pressure on supply chains. In the first half of 2026, global revenue (excluding North America and Russia) rose by 6.0 percent to 430.5 billion US dollars.*

Adjusted for currency effects, growth was more moderate at 2.4 percent. Part of the nominal revenue increase is attributable to exchange rate effects, particularly the development of the US dollar. Growth is being driven primarily by premium products that offer clear added value and relief in everyday life. In many categories, consumers are buying more consciously and keeping devices for longer. At the same time, they are willing to invest more in innovative functions, better performance and convenience.

The global growth drivers include the emerging countries of Asia outside China, which recorded double-digit growth of 12 percent in the first half of the year. As global supply chains diversify, countries in Southeast Asia in particular are benefiting, establishing themselves as exporters of AI technology and hardware components. Positive development can also be observed in the Middle East and Africa, with a market increase of 15 percent in the first half of the year.

Once again, small electrical household appliances proved particularly dynamic. In the first half of the year, they led the “Tech & Durable” market with growth of 5 percent. Telecommunications goods followed with +4 percent global growth, and consumer electronics with +2 percent.

At product level, particularly positive developments were seen in freestanding “space-fit” refrigerators, which can be integrated visually and functionally into modern kitchens, as well as washing machines with steam cleaning mode, espresso portafilter machines, robot vacuum cleaners and AI PCs with integrated processors for local AI applications, along with televisions with a screen diagonal of 75 inches or larger.

Products with artificial intelligence, robotics that make everyday life easier and next-generation wearables are emerging as key growth opportunities for 2026.

* Global Tech & Durables Trends Report. NIQ powered by GfK Intelligence. January–June 2026.

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
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