FIBO Global Fitness Expo – Germany 2026

Background & History

FIBO Global Fitness Expo, launched in 1985 as FIBO, is the world’s leading trade show for the fitness, health, and wellness industry, held annually in Cologne, Germany. Originally focused on European fitness trends, it has expanded into a global platform, attracting over 145,000 visitors and 1,105 exhibitors from 133 countries in 2025, marking a 10% growth from previous years. Organized by RX Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of RX (Reed Exhibitions), FIBO embodies the vision of a strong fitness industry and healthy society, emphasizing active lifestyles, innovation, and holistic well-being. The event’s evolution reflects the global fitness boom, from post-1980s aerobics to today’s AI-driven tech and sustainability focus, earning it the nickname “Fitness Is the Future.”

FIBO’s cultural and economic impact is profound, generating €100 million+ in business and fostering international collaborations through partnerships with organizations like the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). It has hosted pivotal moments, such as the 2025 Confex Hall debut for tech innovations and the FIBO Innovation Award, recognizing breakthroughs like wearable AI coaches. The 2026 edition, its 41st, will continue this legacy, with a record 160,000 sq.m. of space across 18 halls, highlighting sectors like digital fitness, longevity, and eco-friendly equipment. Supported by the German Fitness Industry Association (DSB), FIBO promotes inclusivity, with dedicated areas for women in fitness and adaptive sports, making it a vital event for professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts worldwide.

Event Highlights

Main Activities or Performances

FIBO 2026, from April 16–19, will feature over 1,200 exhibitors across 18 halls at Koelnmesse, showcasing 500+ brands in fitness equipment, wellness, nutrition, and tech. Core activities include:

• B2B Networking: 1,500+ top buyers from 100+ countries engage in matchmaking sessions, with 2025 seeing 50,000+ meetings.
• Conferences and Summits: FIBO Congress (Confex Hall) with 100+ sessions on topics like anti-inflammatory nutrition, isometric training, and AI in fitness (e.g., “Welcome to the Fifth Industrial Revolution” by Nicolai Rolli). The Longevity & Hospitality Summit focuses on spa innovations and senior fitness.
• Live Demonstrations: Test fields (3,000 sq.m.) for machinery, with demos of treadmills (e.g., Shandong Minolta), VR workouts, and biostimulants. Group Fitness Stage hosts 50+ classes, including HIIT and yoga.
• Special Events: American Football Festival (Hall 11.1), Strongman competitions, and GMC OlimpIX (nutrition talks). The Body and Mind Area (Hall 1) offers 54 sessions on mindfulness and recovery.
• Influencer Meets: Hall 10.2 for athlete meet-and-greets, with 2025 featuring Michael Landsberg on aesthetics.

The first two days (April 16–17) are trade-only; weekends open to public. AI translation tool covers 57 languages for sessions.

Special Traditions or Features

FIBO’s traditions include the FIBO Innovation Award, honoring cutting-edge products like KSM-66 Ashwagandha for mental performance. The Confex Hall, introduced in 2025, combines expo and education, with 84 congress sessions on business, training, and nutrition. Sustainability features eco-zones for low-emission equipment and biodegradable packaging. The event’s “Fitness Is the Future” theme promotes holistic health, with free entry upon registration ensuring accessibility.

Networking receptions, like the POWER Stage (Hall 11.1), feature 7 talks on strength training. The 2026 edition will expand the Future Forum (33 sessions on AI and digital tech) and Meeting Point Health (42 sessions on therapy). Partners like Georg Thieme (6 congress sessions) and Physio Germany add specialized content.

Unique Attractions for Visitors

Koelnmesse’s 284,000 sq.m. layout includes ground-floor halls for easy navigation, with 1,200+ exhibitors displaying 500 models (e.g., multifunctional systems). Unique features include the Functional Forum (Hall 9, 52 sessions on mobility), Nutrition & Diagnostics Area (Hall 5.2, 37 talks on supplements like omega-3), and Lifestyle Area (Hall 4.2, 81 sessions on beauty and fashion). The Influencer & Athlete Area (Hall 10.2) offers meet-and-greets, while the Spa & Wellness Meeting Point (Hall 1, 39 sessions) explores hospitality trends. Off-site, Cologne’s Rhine River cruises and Chocolate Museum (5 km) provide cultural breaks. The event’s AI translation tool (57 languages) and free WiFi enhance accessibility. Nearby Rimini beaches (3 km) offer relaxation.

Date & Duration

Festival Dates

• 2026 Dates: Thursday, April 16 – Sunday, April 19, 2026
• Future Dates: April 15–18, 2027 (estimated).

Duration

• 4 days, with 1,200+ exhibitors, 100+ events, and 3,000 sq.m. test fields.

Opening Hours

• Thursday, April 16 & Friday, April 17 (trade days): 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
• Saturday, April 18 & Sunday, April 19 (public days): 9:00 AM–6:00 PM

Venue / Location

Primary Venues

Koelnmesse, Cologne’s expansive exhibition center, spans 18 halls (160,000 sq.m. for FIBO), all ground-floor with ramps and push-plate doors. Key areas:

• Confex Hall: New ultra-modern space for congress and summits (84 FIBO Congress sessions, 13 Longevity & Hospitality Summit).
• Hall 1: Body and Mind Area (54 sessions), Meeting Point Spa & Wellness (39 sessions).
• Hall 4.2: Lifestyle Area (81 sessions), Beauty & Fashion.
• Hall 5.2: Group Fitness Stage (50 classes), Nutrition & Diagnostics (37 sessions).
• Hall 8: Forum Therapy and Training (20 sessions), Meeting Point Health (42 sessions).
• Hall 9: Functional Forum (52 sessions).
• Hall 10.1/10.2: Future Forum (33 sessions), Influencer & Athlete Area (4 events).
• Hall 11.1: American Football Festival, POWER Stage (7 talks), Strongman (6 events).

Test fields (3,000 sq.m.) demonstrate equipment. Internal train station (Milan-Bari line) connects during event.

Main Location Addresses

• Koelnmesse (Main Venue): Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne, Germany – Google Maps
• RX Deutschland Office: Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne, Germany – Google Maps

Ticket Information

Sales Channels

Free registration via fibo.com (opens January 2026). On-site at Koelnmesse entrances (9:00 AM–6:00 PM). Paid tickets for FIBO Congress and Longevity & Hospitality Summit (~€50–€150, ~$55–$163 USD) via fibo-congress.com. Hospitality (hotels, transport) via partners.

Ticket Exchange

Free entry; no exchanges needed. Congress tickets refundable until March 31, 2026, minus €10 fee. Lost badges reissued at info desks with ID.

Admission Type

Free for trade visitors (professionals, buyers); open to public on weekends. Dogs/animals not allowed. School groups with accreditation via visitor@fibo.com.

Pricing Range

• Minimum: Free entry upon registration.
• Maximum: Congress/Summit tickets ~€150 (~$163 USD); hospitality packages ~€500–€1,000 (~$545–$1,090 USD).
• Breakdown:
  • Entry: Free
  • FIBO Congress (84 sessions): ~€50–€100 (~$55–$109 USD)
  • Longevity & Hospitality Summit (13 sessions): ~€100–€150 (~$109–$163 USD)
  • School Groups: Free with accreditation
  • Booking Fees: ~€5–€10 (~$5.50–$11 USD) for paid events.

VIP Options

Premium passes (~€200–€300, ~$218–$327 USD) include congress access, VIP lounges, and buyer matchmaking. Contact visitor@fibo.com.

Payment Methods

Online: Credit/debit cards, PayPal. On-site: Cards only.

Contact Information

General Contact

• Tel: +49 211 90191 400 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM)
• Email: visitor@fibo.com
• Website: https://www.fibo.com (English, German)
• Social Media:
  • LinkedIn: FIBO Fiera
  • Instagram: @fibo_global
  • Facebook: @FIBOGlobalFitness
  • X/Twitter: @FIBOGlobal
  • Hashtag: #FIBO2026
• Newsletter: Sign up at fibo.com.

Key Staff

• RX Deutschland: Event organizers; contact via email.
• Silke Frank: Event Director, overseeing program and innovations.

Organization

• Legal Entity: RX Deutschland GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne, Germany
• Note: Response ~24–48 hours; multilingual (English, German). Exhibitor inquiries via fibo.com.

Cultural Experience

Artistic Diversity

FIBO 2026 showcases global fitness trends, from HIIT classes on the Group Fitness Stage to AI in wellness at the Future Forum. Sessions like “Anti-inflammatory Nutrition” and “Isometric Training” blend science and practice. The American Football Festival and Strongman events add athletic spectacle, while the Body and Mind Area explores mindfulness.

Community Engagement

1,200+ exhibitors and 145,000 visitors from 133 countries foster B2B networks. Volunteers and school groups engage youth in health education. The event’s “Fitness Is the Future” theme promotes societal well-being.

Culinary and Local Traditions

Eateries serve Rhineland specialties like Himmel un Ääd (~€10–€15) and vegan options (~€8–€12). Nutrition areas offer tastings of supplements and superfoods (~€5–€10). Local Kölsch beer and non-alcoholic drinks (~€3–€8) available.

Local Exploration

Cologne’s Cathedral, Rhine cruises, and Chocolate Museum (5 km) provide cultural breaks. Day trips to Bonn (30 km) or Düsseldorf (40 km) explore the Rhine Valley.

Food & Drinks

Culinary Offerings

Spacious eateries offer:

• Rhineland Classics: Himmel un Ääd (mashed potatoes with applesauce, ~€10–€15), currywurst (~€8–€12).
• Vegetarian/Gluten-Free: Vegan salads, gluten-free pretzels (~€7–€12).
• Desserts: Black Forest cake, gelato (~€3–€7).
• Beverages: Kölsch beer, coffee (~€3–€8); non-alcoholic juices (~€2–€5).

Dining Logistics

9:30 AM–6:00 PM; allergen info available. Card payments only; free water stations.

Getting There

By Air

• Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN): 15 km (~20 min drive, ~€20–€30 taxi). Direct trains to Koelnmesse (~15 min, ~€3).
• Düsseldorf Airport (DUS): 60 km (~45 min drive, ~€50–€80 taxi). Trains to Cologne (~30 min, ~€10–€20).

By Train

• Koelnmesse Station: Internal station (Milan-Bari line) active during event. From Cologne Central (~10 min, ~€3); Frankfurt (~1 hr, ~€20–€40).

By Bus

• From Cologne Central: Bus 132 (~15 min, ~€3). Regional buses from Bonn/Düsseldorf.

By Car

• A3/A4 to Cologne; Rimini Nord exit. Parking at Koelnmesse (~€15–€25/day, PRM spaces free with badge).

By Bike/Walking

• Bike rentals (~€10–€20/day); racks at Expo. 20 min walk from Cologne Central.

Accommodation Options

Luxury

• Hyatt Regency Cologne: Rhine views, ~$150–$400 USD/night; hyatt.com.
• Excelsior Hotel Ernst: Historic, ~$200–$500 USD/night; excelsiorhotelernst.com.

Mid-Range

• Hotel Lyskirchen: Near Expo, ~$80–$200 USD/night; lyskirchen.com.
• Ibis Köln Messe: Convenient, ~$70–$180 USD/night; all.accor.com.

Budget

• A&O Hostel Cologne: Dorms ~$20–$50 USD/night; aohostels.com.
• Camping Cologne: ~$20–$60 USD/night; campingcologne.de.

Airbnb

• Apartments ~$50–$200 USD/night; book via airbnb.com.

Accessibility

Overview

Koelnmesse is fully accessible; contact visitor@fibo.com for support. Wheelchair rentals at First Aid.

Accessible Tickets

Free entry; PRM registration for reserved parking/wheelchairs.

Venue Accessibility

Ground-floor halls, ramps, push-plate doors, accessible toilets, lifts to conference rooms. Internal station lift-accessible.

Transport Accessibility

Reserved PRM parking; accessible buses (132) and trains. Cologne Station lifts.

Digital Accessibility

Website WCAG-compliant; AI translation for 57 languages.

On-Site Support

First Aid with wheelchairs; multilingual staff.