This summer, public life in the heart of the city will be centred on the Frankfurt exhibition grounds: over three months, the venue will host 16 congresses, 13 concerts, other events, and one guest fair. The sheer density and variety of events scheduled for the third quarter once again make it a key meeting place for the worlds of business, science, culture and sport. At the same time, they highlight the strong appeal of Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds and affirm its strong competitive position in the German and international event markets.
One highlight this summer is the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, which will be held at the Festhalle between 12 and 16 August 2026. While some 300 female gymnasts from all over the world are expected in Frankfurt, all eyes will be on Olympic champion and German Sportswoman of the Year Darja Varfolomeev, who won five out of a possible six titles at the 2025 World Championships. Other German medal contenders such as Margarita Kolosov, Anastasia Simakova and the German team that won bronze at the 2025 European Championships will also be competing for top places in front of a home crowd. After taking place in Rio de Janeiro last year, the World Championships – one of the most important sporting events of the year – are now coming to Messe Frankfurt in 2026. As Wolfgang Marzin adds: “The Festhalle is the perfect location for this major international event and we are delighted to be playing host to such an open-minded sporting culture that combines diversity, fairness and top performance and brings together people from all over the world.”
Messe Frankfurt is also raising the bar in the congress and conference business. On 2 and 3 September, leading representatives from the international air cargo sector will be coming together for the Air Cargo Conference. Air Cargo Community Frankfurt e.V. is continuing its strong growth course with the 11th Air Cargo Conference at Messe Frankfurt’s Congress Centre. By moving to a larger location, receiving an Innovation Award for the first time, and focusing more on international partnerships, the event is underscoring its growing importance within the air cargo and logistics sector. With high-calibre speakers, innovative start-up pitches, and plenty of networking opportunities, the conference has established itself as a key platform for discussing the future of global supply chains and Frankfurt’s role as an air cargo centre.
One of the most important medical congresses in the German-speaking world, the 42nd Annual Convention of the German Society for Vascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine (DGG), will open its doors from 23 to 26 September. Here, medical professionals will be coming together for an event called “Medical Science, High-Tech, Excellence – Shaping Vascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine. Now!”, which will be held at the Kap Europa congress centre on the Frankfurt exhibition grounds. As well as surgical excellence and innovations in medical technology, topics such as evidence-based science and the future of training and professional development will be on the agenda. Participants will also have the chance to discuss key issues in health policy, including the impact of planned reforms on clinics, research, and the next generation of medical professionals.
On 23 and 24 September 2026, Compounding & Recycling Expo Europe will take place at the Frankfurt exhibition grounds, bringing together international experts in polymer technologies, recycling and the circular economy to provide insights into key future trends. This trade fair, for which admission is free, centres on the increasingly close ties between polymer compounding and recycling and provides a platform for discussion along the entire value chain. The main focus here will be on solutions for high-performance, sustainable and recyclable plastics – ranging from materials and additives to processing and recycling technologies, through to testing and quality assurance systems. Contact: Compounding and Recycling Expo Europe | About AMI
The world’s leading international trade fair and conference for air service development, Routes World, will take place in Frankfurt from 21 to 23 October. The event will bring together the aviation industry’s most influential decision-makers at Messe Frankfurt. Around 230 airlines and aviation stakeholders from 110 countries are expected to attend, engaging in approximately 11,000 pre-scheduled business meetings to negotiate new air services, expand international route networks, and forge strategic partnerships. With its outstanding global connectivity, Germany’s largest aviation hub, and its central location in the heart of Europe, Frankfurt provides the ideal setting for the world’s premier air service development event. Contact: Routes World
The programme is rounded off by popular live acts such as an open-air concert by German rapper Tream in Messe Frankfurt’s outdoor event space Agora on 30 July.
Learn more about Messe Frankfurt here.
