Running.Expo 2026 brought together 44 exhibiting companies from 9 countries. The countries with the most exhibitors were Germany (3), France (2), Poland (2) and Switzerland (1).
The overlap between sports fashion and health shapes where brands meet runners and trade buyers. In Cologne, product showcases and service offers aimed at runners compress a lot of commercial activity into a single day.
What Running.Expo 2026 brings to Cologne
Running.Expo 2026 takes place on 4 October 2026 at Motorworld Köln Rheinland. The fair targets runners and professionals from sports fashion and wellness. Exhibitors cover technical apparel, footwear, nutrition and service providers, creating direct contact points between brands and specialist buyers.
Practical information for 4 October 2026
The registered venue for 2026 is Motorworld Köln Rheinland. The event date is 4 October 2026. Check the official site for opening times and visitor access to plan meetings and stand visits.
Sectors and exhibitor profile for this edition
The show gathers companies from running apparel and sports health. Available figures indicate 100 exhibitors presenting technical running gear, apparel collections, performance assessment solutions and nutrition options. Visitor profiles include both recreational runners and professional buyers looking for catalog items and commercial terms.
Key figures
Recent records place attendance around 30,000 visitors and past layouts used more than 5,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor exhibition space. Those metrics explain why brands use the event to distribute race material and preview new seasonal items.
How to prepare B2B prospecting at Running.Expo 2026
- Set clear objectives per product line and target segment. With a one day format prioritize meetings with buyers who have shown prior interest.
- Bring compact samples and digital catalogues to speed decision making and avoid heavy logistics.
- Schedule appointments before the event and reserve time slots outside peak hall traffic.
- Prepare concise commercial pitches focused on distribution and margin comparisons. Buyers value straightforward cost and turnover data.
- Capture leads in a follow up plan with deadlines and assigned owners to convert contacts after the fair.
Recent context and event format
Past editions moved the Running.EXPO to LANXESS arena and offered roughly 5,000 square metres across indoor and outdoor areas. Those formats combined product showrooms with race services for marathon participants who picked up race materials at the venue.
If your priority is spotting trends in technical apparel or securing distribution deals for the next season, come prepared with a compact sample pack and a strict meeting schedule. Check the event page at http://koeln-marathon.de/messe for venue details and participation conditions.
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Registration and tickets on the official website: generali-koeln-marathon.de
