INT. EISENWARENMESSE 

Press Release

EISENWARENMESSE – INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE 2026: DIY BOULEVARD BOOKED OUT SOON CROWD PULLER ONCE AGAIN ABOUT TO SET AN EXHIBITOR RECORD

Already around six months prior to the start of EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair, which is taking place from 3 to 6 March 2026 in Cologne, it appears that the DIY Boulevard will also once again be one of the visitor magnets in its coming edition thanks to a high rate of participation on the part of the industry. Nearly all places for exhibitors have already been assigned. This is a clear sign of the attractiveness and relevance of the format, which celebrated its premiere in 2016 with 45 participants and has since grown continually. Record participation by exhibitors, currently at 60 applications, is once again expected for 2026.

Realistic success format
The EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair offers a broad spectrum extending from tools and accessories through building and DIY supplies to fasteners and fixings and industrial equipment. Within this offering, the DIY Boulevard in Hall 11 is a concentrated exhibition for the trade with a focus on DIY, building and garden products.

The special feature of the Boulevard is the presentation of the products in the shelf format, which simulates realistic retail sales situations. Trade visitors thus receive a compact market overview, valuable inspiration for their assortments and direct insight into the innovation highlights of the industry.

Integrated conversation areas at each shelf and the stand of the manufacturer association Haus & Garten e. V. (HHG) as the centre of the DIY Boulevard also provide the ideal prerequisites for exchange, networking and business.

Internationally networked, supported by strong cooperation
Participation in the DIY Boulevard is exclusively reserved for member companies of the HHG. Assuring additional international visibility is the participation of the HIMA network, through which member companies from all national associations, including from Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain, will be represented for the first time in 2026 on the DIY Boulevard. The area thus offers greater variety than ever in 2026, from which especially the trade public will profit.

“The DIY Boulevard has for good reason developed into one of the central attractions of EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair in past years. Here, trade visitors experience products as they will later be presented in the retail trade. Together with the HHG, we can thus offer both exhibitors and visitors unique added value”, Sebastian Hein, Director of EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair Cologne, explains.

Dr Marie-Charlotte Claßen, Deputy Managing Director of the manufacturer association Haus & Garten e. V., adds: “We can once again look forward to a completely booked Boulevard in 2026. That demonstrates how great the demand is for this concept. A compact, yet diversified showcase of our industry, ranging from innovative product ideas through realistic shelf placements to sales-boosting presentation concepts, awaits visitors. This time too, the diversity of the manufacturers and line-ups represented will be especially exciting. Bundled on the Boulevard, they will offer a unique overview of the capabilities of the DIY industry.”

Leading international trade fair with a diverse offering
In 2026, the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair will once again occupy six halls of the Cologne fair grounds and present a diversity of offerings that is globally unique. The leading trade fair of the hardware industry is viewed as an international industry meeting point, where buyers and dealers from around the world can discover the latest products and trends and initiate business.

Cologne, 8th October 2025

Press Release

EISENWARENMESSE – INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR 2026: INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY KEY PLAYERS ARE BETTING ON THE WORLD’S LEADING TRADE FAIR AT AN EARLY DATE

Already a good response in the early bird phase

The event can already demonstrate good interim results around nine months prior to the start of EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair. The early bird phase was a success not only internationally with exhibiting companies from more than 40 countries and a foreign share of more than 87 percent. Numerous German companies have also already applied and thus secured the advantages of early booking. EISENWAREN – International Hardware Fair 2026 takes place from 3 to 6 March 2026 – and thus for the first time in Cologne in a new sequence of days from Tuesday to Friday.

“The result following the early bird phase gives us plenty of reasons for optimism. We are pleased that many industry leaders from Germany and abroad have already confirmed their participation in EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair 2026. The demand once again confirms the importance of the trade fair as the most important global platform for the presentation of new products, services and technologies”, according to Sebastian Hein, Director of EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair.

Diverse event programme
Spread on eleven hall levels, EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair once again provides a diverse offering that is unique worldwide – from tools and accessories through home improvement to fittings, fasteners and fixings and industrial supplies. Trade visitors can also once again look forward to a high quality event programme in 2026. Especially the EISENforum, with a programme curated by digital expert Michael Atug, and exploring exciting industry themes like the use of AI, provides important impulses for the continuing development of the industry.

With the DIY Boulevard, EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair, in cooperation with the German Association of Home & Garden Manufacturers e.V (HHG), once again provides companies with the possibility to present their products in an environment close to POS. This ensures an authentic product presentation experience on the boulevard for trade visitors.

The renowned “EISENaward powered by ZHH” 2026 will also be presented live again. In cooperation with the central association for the hardware trade (ZHH), EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair searches for outstanding new ideas, inventions and solutions directly from the industry. The three winners of the award will be honoured live on stage. A trade public will also be able to marvel at the ten nominated products during the trade fair in a special area. Registered exhibitors can apply with their innovations at no charge as of autumn 2025.

The event programme will be continually updated. Additional formats are currently in planning.

Cologne, 24th June 2025

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