Formnext 2026 Guide: Dates, Halls & Tickets
Formnext 2026 runs 17-20 November at Messe Frankfurt. Dates and opening hours, the Halls 11.0, 12.0 and 12.1 layout, what is new, ticket prices from 23 October, and how to get there.
Dates verified against organiser site on 23 October 2026.
Quick answer Formnext 2026 runs Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 November 2026 at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It is the international trade fair for additive manufacturing (AM) and industrial 3D printing, organised by Mesago Messe Frankfurt. Trade-visitor hours are 9 am to 6 pm Tuesday to Thursday and 9 am to 4 pm on Friday. The organiser places the show in Halls 11.0, 12.0 and 12.1. Tickets are Day Pass, Expo Pass and Premium Pass, and the early-bird rate ended on 22 October 2026.
Formnext 2026 is the world's main meeting point for additive manufacturing (the 2025 edition was the tenth), and it lands in the same week as Food ingredients Europe on the same Frankfurt grounds. The 2025 edition, the tenth, drew 38,282 visitors (47% from outside Germany) and 804 exhibitors (61% international) across about 50,000 square meters of gross space, according to the organiser's closing report.
This guide covers the dates and hours, where the show sits in the Frankfurt halls, what is new in 2026, tickets, how to get there and where to stay, and a short plan for a first visit. Show data on our Formnext page is kept in step with this guide.
1. Formnext 2026 at a glance
| Dates | Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 November 2026 |
| Venue | Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (venue page) |
| Organiser | Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH |
| Focus | Additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing, plus the wider process chain |
| Frequency | Annual, every November |
| Halls | 11.0, 12.0, 12.1 (per the organiser; confirm on the floor plan before you go) |
| 2025 edition | 38,282 visitors, 804 exhibitors, about 50,000 m² gross |
| Industry | Manufacturing, Technology |
2. Dates and opening hours
Trade-visitor hours, from the organiser's opening-hours page:
- Tuesday 17 November: 9 am to 6 pm
- Wednesday 18 November: 9 am to 6 pm
- Thursday 19 November: 9 am to 6 pm
- Friday 20 November: 9 am to 4 pm
Exhibitors with a valid exhibitor pass can enter from 7 am each day. The press centre is open Monday 16 November from 2 pm to 5 pm and 8 am to 6:30 pm Tuesday to Thursday (4:30 pm close on Friday).
Friday closes two hours earlier than the other days. If you want to see the whole hall plan, plan your busiest meetings for Tuesday to Thursday.
3. What is new at Formnext 2026
The organiser highlights these for 2026:
- Formnext Defence Summit. A new content highlight on security and defence-related manufacturing.
- Consolidated hall layout. The exhibition is concentrated in Halls 11.0, 12.0 and 12.1 rather than spread over four hall levels, so there is less walking between areas.
- Partner Country: United Kingdom.
- AM Innovation and Standards Summit, organised by ASTM International, on the day before opening (Monday 16 November).
Established features continue: the Industry & Application Stage (conference programme), the Technology Stage (exhibitor innovations), a special exhibition on post-processing with showcases and guided tours, the Start-up Area with Pitchnext, Career@Formnext, and the Formnext Awards. The VDMA Additive Manufacturing Working Group and BE-AM run showcases.
4. What you will see
Formnext covers the full AM process chain:
- Design and simulation software
- Polymer and metal printing systems
- Materials, powders and ceramics
- Post-processing
- Quality management and metrology
- Applications in medical technology and healthcare, automotive, transportation and mobility, and security and defence
5. Tickets
The organiser sells three ticket types: Day Pass, Expo Pass and Premium Pass (the Premium Pass adds VIP benefits). The early-bird rate on visitor tickets ended on 22 October 2026, so standard prices apply from 23 October 2026. Per the organiser's visitor-information page, prices include VAT and are shown with / without the organiser's info service:
- Day Pass (1 day): €109 with info service, €142 without.
- Expo Pass (4 days): €169 with info service, €219 without.
- Premium Pass (4 days, limited offer, adds VIP parking, the VIP Lounge and Formnext Party access): €299 with info service, €389 without.
Every ticket includes free use of local public transport (RMV) on the day of your visit (Day Pass) or for the duration of the fair (Expo and Premium Pass). Confirm current prices on the organiser's ticket shop before you buy.
Practical tips:
- Register and print or save your ticket before you travel.
- Press and exhibitors have separate registration routes.
Support from the ticketing team: tickets@mesago.com.
6. Getting to Messe Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the main gateway, and the Messe grounds are central, close to the main railway station. Check the visitor-information section of the organiser's website for the current S-Bahn and U-Bahn routes and the entrance recommended for Halls 11 and 12. The organiser advertises special rates for arrival and stay on the show website.
Hotels: Formnext shares the week with Food ingredients Europe (17-19 November) at Messe Frankfurt. Frankfurt hotel availability tightens that week, so book early. See also our Frankfurt and Hesse page and the Germany country page.
7. A first-day plan
- Pick your three or four priority exhibitors from the exhibitor list before you arrive.
- Add one conference session from the Industry & Application Stage and one stop at the Technology Stage.
- Keep Friday for follow-ups and the post-processing special exhibition, since the show closes at 4 pm.
8. Other shows that week
Same week in Frankfurt: Food ingredients Europe 2026 (17-19 November). For a wider view, see the November 2026 trade shows calendar.
FAQ
When is Formnext 2026? Formnext 2026 runs Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 November 2026 at Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main.
What are the opening hours? Trade visitors are admitted 9 am to 6 pm Tuesday to Thursday and 9 am to 4 pm on Friday.
Which halls is Formnext in? The organiser places the 2026 exhibition in Halls 11.0, 12.0 and 12.1. Check the official floor plan before you go.
How big is Formnext? The 2025 edition drew 38,282 visitors and 804 exhibitors on about 50,000 square meters of gross space, per Mesago Messe Frankfurt.
What is new in 2026? A Formnext Defence Summit, a consolidated hall layout and the United Kingdom as Partner Country.
How much do tickets cost? The organiser's early-bird rate ended on 22 October 2026. From 23 October 2026, standard prices (incl. VAT, with / without info service) are Day Pass €109 / €142, Expo Pass €169 / €219 and Premium Pass €299 / €389, per the organiser's visitor-information page. Public transport (RMV) is included. Confirm on the organiser's ticket shop before you buy.