Automechanika Dubai, the largest international automotive aftermarket exhibition in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), will relocate to the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City for its 2026 edition, scheduled to take place from 10–12 November. The move marks a major milestone in the exhibition’s global growth strategy and reflects the rapid expansion of the regional automotive aftermarket sector.
The announcement comes after a record-breaking 2025 edition, which attracted more than 50,000 visitors from 162 countries and featured 2,273 exhibitors representing 63 nations. The event highlighted key industry trends including electrification, digital transformation, sustainability, and regional manufacturing growth.
Strategic Move Supports Industry Growth
Located near Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport, Jebel Ali Port, and Dubai South, the Dubai Exhibition Centre is positioned within one of the UAE’s most important logistics and trade corridors. The venue offers larger exhibition capacity and improved connectivity for global exhibitors and visitors.
Industry forecasts also support the expansion. According to Glasgow Research and Consulting, the MEA automotive aftermarket sector is expected to reach USD 87 billion by 2034, driven by increasing vehicle ownership, rising demand for maintenance services, fleet expansion, and supply chain digitalisation.
For the 2026 edition, exhibition space will expand to 110,000 sqm, with around 2,400 exhibitors expected to participate. Companies including Emirates Keys, Hankook & Company, Hanon Systems, Hyundai Sungwoo Solite, Lubrex, Niterra, Sonax, and others have already confirmed their participation.
Dubai’s Economic Vision Drives Expansion
Tommy Le, Automechanika Dubai’s Show Manager at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Our move to the Dubai Exhibition Centre in 2026 is closely aligned with Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, which places trade, investment and global competitiveness at the heart of the Emirate’s long-term vision.
“As the future epicentre for mega events and international business gatherings, DEC represents the next phase of Dubai’s evolution as a world-leading exhibition and logistics hub. Its scale, connectivity and future-ready infrastructure provide the ideal platform to support our continued expansion, deepen international partnerships and contribute meaningfully to the Emirate’s economic ambitions. The decision has been strongly endorsed by our industry stakeholders, who recognise the long-term strategic value of this move.”
Focus on Innovation and Mobility
Automechanika Dubai 2026 will continue to focus on sustainability, innovation, electrification, safety, training, and digitalisation. Popular features such as Aftermarket Central, Innovation4Mobility, Fleet FWD, LABX Conference, CV Evolution, and the Automechanika Dubai Awards will return as part of the expanded programme.
With its move to Expo City Dubai, the exhibition aims to strengthen the UAE’s role as a global automotive and mobility hub while supporting the future development of the aftermarket industry across the Middle East and Africa.
