CIIF 2026, also known as the China International Industry Fair 2026, is set to return to Shanghai from 12 to 16 October 2026. The 26th edition will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and will bring together manufacturers, technology companies, industrial solution providers, investors, buyers, engineers and industry professionals from China and international markets.
With an exhibition area of approximately 300,000 square metres, CIIF is expected to feature around 3,000 exhibitors across nine specialized exhibitions. The event covers major areas including robotics, industrial automation, machine tools, energy, new materials, information technology and smart manufacturing.
CIIF 2026 Date and Venue
The official CIIF 2026 date is 12 October to 16 October 2026. The exhibition will take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), one of China’s largest exhibition venues.
The venue is located in Shanghai’s Hongqiao area and is well connected to the city’s major transportation networks. For international visitors, its location near Hongqiao transportation facilities makes travelling to the exhibition relatively convenient.
The main CIIF 2026 venue will host multiple specialized halls covering different segments of industrial manufacturing. Visitors can therefore plan their schedules according to the technologies, products and companies they want to explore.
What Is CIIF 2026?
CIIF is the 26th edition of the China International Industry Fair, one of China’s major industrial exhibitions. Since its launch in 1999, CIIF has developed into an important platform connecting China’s manufacturing ecosystem with international markets. The event combines exhibition, trade, awards and industry forums.
The exhibition focuses on the transformation of traditional manufacturing through automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, advanced materials, energy solutions and intelligent production systems.
For companies looking to understand China’s industrial technology market, CIIF 2026 provides an opportunity to see products and technologies from different parts of the manufacturing supply chain in one location.
CIIF 2026 Theme and Industry Focus
The 2026 edition is focused on intelligent and resilient manufacturing. An official announcement describes the event’s theme as “Smart Economy & Smart Manufacturing Resilience,” with attention on intelligentization, green transformation and integrated innovation.
Another event source highlights the 2026 edition under the theme “Industrial Energy Gathering, New Quality Productivity Leading” in its Chinese-language promotional material.
The common focus across these themes is the evolution of industrial production through smart technologies, sustainable systems and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
CIIF 2026 Specialized Exhibitions
One of the biggest attractions of CIIF 2026 is its broad coverage of industrial sectors. The event will feature nine specialized exhibitions designed to address different parts of the industrial value chain.
These include the Metalworking and CNC Machine Tool Show, Industrial Automation Show, Robotics Show, Green and Low-Carbon Industrial Energy-Saving Technology Show, Industrial Communication and Information Technology Show, Future Transportation Industry Show, Energy and Smart Grid Technology Show, Science and Technology Innovation Show, and New Material Industry Show.
A new integrated-circuit-focused exhibition is also being introduced for 2026, adding another important technology segment to the event.
CIIF Exhibitors
The CIIF 2026 exhibitors will represent a wide range of industrial manufacturing and technology companies. The event is expected to feature around 3,000 exhibitors, according to China Premier Exhibitions, while another event website reports more than 3,000 companies and highlights a 300,000-square-metre exhibition footprint.
Exhibitor categories will include industrial automation companies, robotics manufacturers, machine-tool producers, energy technology companies, industrial software providers, new-material manufacturers and suppliers of smart manufacturing solutions.
The New Materials Industry Exhibition alone is expected to feature more than 300 companies, displaying technologies and products for areas such as aerospace, new energy, artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, smart equipment, vehicles, biomanufacturing and life sciences.
Robotics and Automation at CIIF 2026
Robotics is expected to remain one of the major highlights of CIIF 2026. The event will showcase industrial robots, intelligent robotic systems, automation equipment and emerging applications.
According to event information, the 2026 edition will feature new robot products from leading robotics manufacturers, while the wider event will demonstrate how artificial intelligence and robotics are being integrated into industrial environments.
Visitors interested in factory automation can use the robotics and industrial automation halls to compare equipment, explore new applications and meet potential technology partners.
Smart Manufacturing at CIIF 2026
Smart manufacturing will be one of the central themes of CIIF 2026. Manufacturers worldwide are increasingly adopting connected machines, industrial software, artificial intelligence, robotics and data-driven production systems.
The exhibition gives technology providers an opportunity to demonstrate how these technologies can improve productivity, operational visibility, quality control and manufacturing flexibility.
For manufacturing executives, engineers and procurement professionals, CIIF 2026 can therefore serve as a practical platform for discovering solutions that may support digital transformation projects.
New Materials Industry at CIIF 2026
Advanced materials will receive significant attention during CIIF 2026. The New Materials Industry Exhibition is expected to bring together more than 300 companies and cover technologies used across aerospace, new energy, artificial intelligence, robotics, automotive, healthcare and other industries.
The exhibition will include materials such as high-temperature alloys, titanium alloys, lightweight aluminium and magnesium, carbon-fibre composites and materials for emerging aerospace and electric-aircraft applications.
More than ten forums and matchmaking activities are also planned around new-material topics, including solid-state batteries, perovskite materials, low-altitude industries and AI-enabled materials.
CIIF 2026 Schedule
The general CIIF 2026 schedule runs from Monday, 12 October through Friday, 16 October 2026. Visitor hours are generally listed as approximately 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:30 PM, although individual conferences and activities may have their own timings.
The opening days are expected to attract significant numbers of professional buyers, manufacturers and industry delegates. Throughout the five-day exhibition, visitors can attend product demonstrations, business meetings, forums and other concurrent activities.
Because individual forums can have separate schedules, visitors should check the official program before attending specific sessions.
CIIF 2026 Tickets and Registration
For professional visitors, CIIF 2026 tickets are available through visitor registration, and pre-registered trade visitors can attend the exhibition free of charge according to published visitor information.
Therefore, the CIIF 2026 ticket price for eligible pre-registered trade visitors is free. Visitors should complete registration before travelling and carry the required registration confirmation or visitor credentials.
International visitors should also review visa requirements and the event’s invitation-letter process if required. The official event information states that visa support and invitation letters are available after registration.
CIIF 2026 Price and Visitor Cost
When people search for the CIIF 2026 price, it is important to distinguish between exhibition admission and other travel expenses.
The exhibition itself offers free admission for pre-registered trade visitors. However, visitors may need to budget separately for flights, accommodation, local transportation, meals, visa expenses and participation in any separately priced activities.
For international buyers, the overall cost of attending CIIF 2026 will therefore depend largely on travel and accommodation arrangements rather than the exhibition admission itself.
CIIF 2026 Organizer
The CIIF 2026 organizer structure involves major Chinese government and industrial institutions. Published information lists the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and Shanghai Municipal Government, among others.
This institutional backing contributes to the importance of the exhibition within China’s industrial and manufacturing ecosystem.
Business Opportunities at CIIF 2026
Beyond product displays, CIIF 2026 is designed to facilitate business connections between exhibitors and professional buyers.
Manufacturers can use the exhibition to identify machinery suppliers, automation partners, robotics providers, industrial software companies and advanced-material suppliers. Technology companies can also use the event to enter discussions with potential distributors, customers and strategic partners.
The international nature of CIIF 2026 makes it particularly relevant for companies exploring opportunities in China’s manufacturing market or looking for international collaboration.
Forums, Networking and Concurrent Events
Another important component of CIIF 2026 will be its conference and networking program. Alongside the exhibition halls, visitors can participate in industry forums, technology discussions, business matchmaking sessions and specialist events.
Topics are expected to reflect current manufacturing priorities such as artificial intelligence, industrial robotics, green manufacturing, energy transformation, advanced materials, digitalization and next-generation industrial technologies.
These activities provide visitors with opportunities to understand market trends while connecting with manufacturers, technology specialists and other professionals.
Why Attend CIIF 2026?
There are several reasons why manufacturers and industrial technology professionals should consider attending CIIF 2026. First, its large scale allows visitors to explore multiple industrial technology categories during a single trip.
Second, the exhibition provides access to manufacturers and solution providers working across the industrial supply chain. Third, its combination of exhibition halls, forums, awards and business activities creates opportunities for both learning and commercial networking.
The event is also useful for companies researching China’s industrial technology landscape and identifying potential suppliers.
International Participation at CIIF 2026
International participation will remain an important part of CIIF 2026. The event has historically attracted companies and visitors from major manufacturing markets, and international business exchange remains a key component of the exhibition.
For overseas companies, participating in CIIF 2026 can provide exposure to one of the world’s largest manufacturing ecosystems. For international buyers, the exhibition offers an opportunity to evaluate suppliers, technologies and industrial solutions directly.
Why CIIF 2026 Matters for the Manufacturing Industry
The manufacturing industry is undergoing a major technological transition. Artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, connected production systems, new materials and clean-energy technologies are changing how factories operate.
CIIF 2026 brings many of these developments together in one large industrial platform. This makes the event relevant not only to machinery manufacturers but also to automotive companies, electronics manufacturers, energy businesses, technology providers, engineers and industrial procurement teams.
With its extensive exhibition area and broad sector coverage, CIIF 2026 is positioned as a major meeting point for companies interested in the future of manufacturing.
Final Thoughts on CIIF 2026
CIIF 2026 is set to be one of the major industrial exhibitions in Shanghai during October 2026. Taking place from 12–16 October 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the event will bring together thousands of exhibitors across robotics, automation, machine tools, energy, new materials, information technology and smart manufacturing.
With approximately 300,000 square metres of exhibition space, around 3,000 exhibitors, free admission for pre-registered trade visitors and a broad program of forums and business activities, CIIF 2026 offers significant opportunities for industry professionals.
For manufacturers, technology companies, buyers, engineers and international business professionals, CIIF 2026 can be an important destination for discovering new industrial technologies, meeting suppliers, exploring partnerships and understanding the direction of smart manufacturing.
CIIF 2026 Quick Facts
Event: China International Industry Fair (CIIF) 2026
Edition: 26th
Date: 12–16 October 2026
Venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), China
Exhibition Area: Approximately 300,000 sq. m.
Expected Exhibitors: Around 3,000
Ticket Price: Free for pre-registered trade visitors
Visitor Hours: Approximately 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Industry: Industrial Manufacturing, Automation, Robotics, Machine Tools, Energy, New Materials and Smart Manufacturing
Organizer/Hosts: MIIT, NDRC, MOFCOM, MOST, CAS, CAE, CAST, Shanghai Municipal Government and related institutions
