IFA 2026 from A to Z – tips, highlights and must-sees for visitors to the event in Berlin

From app to zero tech limits: highlights, services and tips for making the most of your visit to IFA 2026

 IFA Berlin, the world’s largest event for consumer electronics, home appliances and future tech, has plenty in store for visitors and guests. Here is an overview featuring tips, highlights and must-sees for this year’s exhibition.

A – App & Awareness Team

The new IFA app is your digital companion for the IFA. Programme, hall map, navigation, favourites lists and networking tools – all the information you need at the touch of a button.

The IFA Awareness Team will be wearing purple vests during the fair and are available to help if anyone feels unsure, uncomfortable or overwhelmed, or if they experience discrimination. If necessary, the team will call in security or first-aid staff. IFA visitors can find the Awareness ‘Space’ in the Marshall-Haus. The IFA Awareness hotline number is: +49 177 5650874

B – IFA Beauty Hub
IFA showcases the latest lifestyle trends – from beauty tech and gaming to outdoor cooking and gardening. The highlight is the IFA Beauty Hub, which this year is serving as a curated beauty lab. In Hall 13, visitors can experience and try out new products, treatments and live demonstrations for themselves.

C – Content Tracks & IFA Creator Hub

The full IFA programme is divided into five content tracks: World of AI & Future of Tech, Retail & Future of Commerce, Marketing & Creativity, Culture & Lifestyle, and Smart & Sustainable Living.

The IFA Creator Hub is designed for creators and storytellers. The iconic Palais am Funkturm is home to streaming studios, masterclasses, exclusive merch drops, product tests and the Inner Circle VIP lounge.

D – Dream Stage
On the Dream Stage, ideas for the future meet the people driving them forward. Keynotes, panel discussions, masterclasses, live demos and pitch battles bring new technologies and business models to life. The Innovation Stage is made for big moments. And on the Creator Stage, you can attend practical sessions offering insights you can put into practice straight away.

E – Entrances

The exhibition centre has several entrances. You can find all the opening times here:

North Entrance: 2–3 September 2026, open between 8 am and 8 pm; 4–8 September 2026, open between 9.30 am and 6 pm

South Entrance: open from 2 to 3 September 2026 between 8 am and 8 pm; open from 4 to 8 September 2026 between 8 am and 6 pm

City Cube Messedamm: open from 2 to 3 September 2026 between 8 am and 8 pm; open from 4 to 8 September 2026 between 9.30 am and 6 pm

F – Future of Retail

At IFA, trade visitors are and always will be VIPs. With new formats, curated experience zones and exclusive services, IFA is expanding its offering. Fast-track check-in, early access to the Retail Innovation Zone, participation in IFA Global Markets, a shuttle service around the exhibition grounds – trade visitors enjoy a number of benefits with the IFA Trade Visitor Ticket.

G – Global Markets

IFA Global Markets is the IFA’s international sourcing platform. From 5 to 7 September, more than 450 OEMs, ODMs, suppliers and manufacturers will be showcasing their products and solutions in Hall 26.

H – Highlights

Product launches, top international speakers, live podcasts, robotics, concerts and new interactive zones: IFA offers a host of highlights over five days. You can add your personal ‘must-sees’ to your list via the IFA app.

I – Innovation For All

Technology should benefit everyone and be accessible to all. Gender, identity, age, background, religion, language, disability, neurodiversity – none of these factors should determine who can experience technology. There is still a long way to go to achieve inclusion for all – but the IFA has already taken a few steps in the right direction: step-free access, accessible toilet facilities, free entry for carers and a breastfeeding room. Quiet Rooms, Tickets for Good, the Awareness Team and inclusive guided tours for blind and visually impaired people have been introduced this year.

J – Jury

An international jury comprising tech journalists and industry experts will decide on the IFA Innovation Awards 2026.

K – Keynotes
Leading speakers from global tech companies will be offering insights into the future throughout the event. The full programme for IFA 2026 is available on the website. You can find all the sessions and speakers here.

L – Live Experience

At IFA, technology becomes an experience: try out products, see robots in action, test e-bikes, discover beauty treatments or enjoy live podcasts and concerts. Visitors are actively encouraged to get hands-on and join in.

M – Media Days, Merch & Mobility
On 2 and 3 September, the IFA Media Days will provide all the relevant information about IFA 2026. Press conferences and product launches will offer an exclusive preview of the days ahead at the trade fair. During the Media Days, the Media Centre will be open from 08:00 to 20:00, and from 4 to 8 September, opening hours will be from 08:00 to 18:00 daily.

IFA Merch was officially launched on 28 September. Anker is now in its second year as part of the IFA Merch Story. For the new 2026 collection, the Funkt-Otto has been further refined and given a new finish. From T-shirts and hoodies to bandanas, the new IFA collection is available at the central IFA Merch Store in Hall 19 and in the IFA Summer Garden during the exhibition.

The IFA Mobility area is moving to the CityCube Berlin for the first time. International brands such as Volkswagen, Xiaomi, XPENG, NAVEE, YOUIN, Soflow, AOTOS and many more are showcasing electric cars, e-bikes, e-scooters, cargo bikes and other mobility solutions. Visitors can try out e-bikes and e-scooters for free on the 200-metre-long Mobility Track test track. Anyone looking for a convenient and affordable way to get to IFA or explore Berlin will find exclusive mobility offers and discounts from the IFA Mobility partners.

N – Networking
The interaction between industry, retail and consumers is what makes the IFA unique. The IFA app offers visitors additional networking features. The official IFA after-show party is also a great opportunity for networking and takes place every day from 4 to 7 September 2026 at Club MAXXIM. With a valid IFA ticket, guests enjoy free entry and a welcome drink from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm; after that, entry costs 10 euros.

O – IFA Opening Keynote

AMD kicks off the IFA 2026 stage programme: Jack Huynh will speak on 4 September at 11.00 am on the Innovation Stage about ‘The Era of Personal AI: The Future of Imagination’ and AMD’s vision for the next era of personal AI.

P – IFA Podcast Days & IFA Playbox

With the IFA Podcast Days 2026, the IFA is bringing some of the best-known voices from the German podcast scene to Berlin live. From 4 to 7 September 2026, live shows such as Fast & Curious, Plastik im Ohr, Healthwise, PietSmiet, KI-Updatet, Mord auf Ex and Bit-Rausch will be spread across several stages at the exhibition centre.

The IFA Playbox is a new interactive area for children and families, bringing together gaming, creativity, active play and sweet surprises.

Q – Quick Check-In
With online tickets, entry is particularly quick. Visitors can avoid queues when buying tickets and head straight into the IFA. Tickets are available here: https://www.ifa-berlin.com/

R – Retail Leaders Summit & Robots
The IFA Retail Leaders Summit brings together decision-makers from the retail and industrial sectors. On 4 September 2025, over 100 top executives from the global retail sector, the technology industry and the consumer electronics sector will gather at the Messe Berlin exhibition centre to exchange ideas, network and discuss the innovations that will shape the retail sector of tomorrow.

Robots on Stage! With ‘Robots on the Runway’ and the RoboCup, the IFA brings the future of robotics to life. At ‘Robots on the Runway’, humanoid robots take to the catwalk to demonstrate how technology, movement and entertainment merge to create a spectacular live experience. At the RoboCup, researchers and students compete in visionary disciplines – including football. Just like in real tournaments, the robots play thrilling matches.

S – Show Areas & Sommergarten

Retail Innovation Zone, Audio, Computing & Gaming, Content Creation, Home Appliances including Outdoor Cooking & Gardening, Beauty Tech & Wellbeing, Home & Entertainment, Mobility, IFA Next, Communication & Connectivity, Smart Home and IFA Global Markets – these are the IFA Show Areas for 2026.

The IFA Sommergarten brings a festival atmosphere right into the heart of Berlin. Here, you can relax during the day and party in the evening. From BUNT. to Luciano to Ikkimel & Friends – from Thursday to Saturday, the Summer Garden becomes an open-air concert venue. On Sunday, the live ‘Sommergarten Day’ podcast kicks off at 3.30 pm, featuring the podcasts Liefers & Broicher, Wine Wednesday and Mord auf Ex. With a ticket for the Summer Garden, visitors have free entry to IFA on the same day.

T – Tech Trends & Tours

From AI to smart homes and e-mobility – the IFA showcases what’s driving the future. Here, visitors can experience technological developments first-hand, even before they reach the consumer market.

IFA Berlin, in partnership with Lebenshilfe Berlin, is offering accessible guided tours in plain language. The tours are free of charge and will take place on Saturday (5 September 2026) and Tuesday (8 September 2026). In addition, guided tours for blind and visually impaired visitors will also be held this year in partnership with ABSV.

U – Urban Entertainment

Entertainment is an integral part of the event – from gaming and music to live performances. In this way, IFA combines business with fun and an exciting experience.

V – Visionary Voices

International thought leaders from the worlds of technology, business and the creative industries will be bringing the major issues of the future to the IFA stages. IFA 2026 Speakers | IFA Berlin 2026 - Innovation For All

W – Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the exhibition centre. This means visitors can stay connected at all times.

X – eXperience

At IFA, it’s not just about looking – it’s about trying things out: testing products, riding e-scooters and e-bikes, experiencing beauty treatments, playing the latest gaming releases or meeting robots in person.

Y – Young Talents
IFA Next provides a platform for start-ups and young talent. On the Dream Stage, the ‘IFA Pitch Battle’ brings together the next generation of start-ups. It is a dynamic competition in which founders present their ideas and innovations and compete for recognition before a panel of experts and a live audience.

Z – Zero Tech Limits

From robotics to artificial intelligence – this is where the future comes into view. IFA brings technological visions to life.