The China International Industry Fair 2026 (CIIF 2026) will bring more than 3,000 exhibitors and 10 specialized industry shows to Shanghai from October 12–16, 2026, creating one of the year’s largest sourcing and technology platforms for the global manufacturing sector.
The five-day event will occupy approximately 300,000 square metres at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Its exhibits will cover industrial automation, robotics, machine tools, energy technology, advanced materials, semiconductors, future transportation and low-carbon manufacturing.
Established in 1999 and now entering its 26th edition, CIIF combines technology exhibitions with cross-border B2B meetings, industry forums, product launches and the CIIF Awards. Visitor registration is already open for manufacturers, industrial buyers, distributors, engineers and technology professionals planning to attend the Shanghai event.
Ten shows cover the industrial supply chain
The official CIIF website positions the exhibition as a platform covering technologies and solutions across the manufacturing value chain. The 2026 edition is divided into 10 specialized shows:
- Metalworking and CNC Machine Tool Show (MWCS)
- Industrial Automation Show (IAS)
- Robotics Show (RS)
- Energy Show (ES)
- Next-Gen Intelligent Manufacturing Show (AIMS)
- Future Transportation Industry Show (FTIS)
- Green Low-Carbon Show (GLCS)
- New Material Industry Show (NMIS)
- Scientific and Technological Innovation Show (STIS)
- IC Ecosystem Show (ICES)
This structure allows international visitors to concentrate on individual sectors while still exploring adjacent technologies. A machine manufacturer, for example, can compare metalworking equipment and automation systems before moving into robotics, industrial software, energy management or new materials.
The organizer’s 2026 exhibition plan confirms the expanded 10-show format. Dedicated platforms such as the Industrial Automation Show and Robotics Show provide more focused environments for buyers seeking suppliers in factory automation, motion control, industrial robotics and related production technologies.
Smart and green manufacturing take priority
Three themes run through the 2026 programme: digitalization, intelligent manufacturing and the green transition.
Exhibitors are expected to present practical applications rather than only conceptual technologies. These will include solutions for automated production, digital industrial infrastructure, energy utilization, intelligent transportation, semiconductor ecosystems and more sustainable manufacturing processes.
For buyers, this creates opportunities to evaluate how technologies work together across an industrial facility. Robotics and automation systems can be considered alongside digital controls, energy-saving equipment, advanced materials and integrated-circuit technologies.
The breadth of the exhibition should also make CIIF relevant to companies upgrading existing factories. Visitors can investigate individual machines and components while comparing complete production lines, turnkey systems and broader smart-factory solutions.
Alongside the exhibition halls, the CIIF Forums will examine digital manufacturing, industrial intelligence, green development and international trade. The CIIF Awards will also recognize industrial technologies and commercially applicable products selected through the event’s evaluation process.
Previous attendance shows CIIF’s international reach
The scale of the previous edition provides useful context for overseas visitors considering CIIF 2026.
According to figures released by the organizer, CIIF 2025 hosted 3,011 exhibitors from 27 countries and regions. It recorded 186,290 professional visitors and 223,997 total visits, with international delegates representing 133 countries and regions.
These figures indicate that CIIF operates as more than a domestic machinery exhibition. Its audience gives exhibitors access to industrial buyers from China and international markets, while overseas visitors can use the event to compare Chinese manufacturers with global technology suppliers exhibiting in Shanghai.
Potential visitors include factory owners, procurement directors, engineers, system integrators, distributors, research institutions and companies seeking manufacturing partners. The combination of exhibition stands, technical discussions and business matchmaking can be particularly useful for buyers evaluating complex equipment that requires detailed consultation before purchase.
Visitor registration is now open
The National Exhibition and Convention Center has confirmed CIIF for October 12–16 across 11 exhibition halls in its official 2026 event schedule.
International industry professionals can apply for admission through the official English-language visitor registration system. Overseas visitors should use their passport information when completing registration and ensure that the submitted details match the identification document they will carry to the venue.
Given the exhibition’s scale, buyers should identify their priority shows and target suppliers before arriving. Allocating time for demonstrations, technical meetings and follow-up discussions will make the five-day event more manageable, especially for visitors covering several manufacturing sectors.
With 3,000-plus exhibitors, 300,000 square metres and 10 specialized shows, CIIF 2026 offers international buyers a concentrated view of China’s advanced-manufacturing ecosystem and the technologies shaping the next generation of industrial production.
Source: China International Industry Fair announcement via PR Newswire, official CIIF website and National Exhibition and Convention Center event schedule.
