At a time when the international firearms and hunting trade faces mounting regulatory and economic challenges, IWA’s renewed focus places specialist retail firmly at the heart of the event. The Made for Trade initiative provides a framework for knowledge exchange, networking, and innovation, ensuring the show continues to offer tangible value to the professionals who drive the sector forward.
“The current political climate has created complex challenges for specialist retailers – from regulatory uncertainty to economic risk,” said Michael Blendinger, president of the Association of German Gunsmiths and Gun Dealers (VDB) and owner of the specialist retail business AimZone. “A platform like IWA OutdoorClassics is therefore more important than ever, as it provides both a stage for the trade and an opportunity for confidential exchange. With its Made for Trade campaign, IWA is sending a clear signal: it is focused on the needs of the trade and creates an environment where innovations, trends, and business models can develop in a targeted way.”
Building on IWA’s longstanding reputation as a business-focused event for retailers, distributors, and manufacturers, Made for Trade reflects a sharpened exhibition concept that integrates industry expertise, political awareness, and commercial opportunity into one cohesive platform.
With around 750 companies already confirmed and more than 1,000 exhibitors expected, IWA OutdoorClassics 2026 is on course to welcome a broader and even more international exhibitor base. Approximately 85 percent of participants are projected to come from outside Germany, underlining the show’s global appeal.
Among the major brands returning is SIG Sauer, marking a significant milestone in the company’s renewed engagement with international markets. “I’m proud and excited that SIG Sauer will be participating with its own booth at IWA in 2026,” said Daniele Palmieri, managing director, global commercial sales at SIG Sauer. “Our strategy of connecting more directly with international consumers aligns perfectly with IWA’s global profile. The event provides the ideal platform to showcase our latest innovations, strengthen relationships, and explore new market opportunities.”
Other confirmed exhibitors include CZ, Glock, Browning, Umarex, Carl Walther, and RWS, while the Association of Manufacturers of Hunting and Sporting Weapons and Ammunition (JSM) has welcomed the strong exhibitor response. “A leading international exhibition needs not only a clear commitment from trade visitors but also strong participation from the industry,” said Klaus Gotzen, managing director of JSM. “It is very encouraging that so many manufacturers continue to value exchange and cooperation with the trade.”
For 2026, IWA OutdoorClassics will feature a restructured hall layout across eight halls and more than 72,000 square metres of exhibition space. Product categories will be grouped according to retailer relevance, creating a more intuitive visitor experience and increased visibility for key segments. Hunting accessories, knives, and clothing will be combined in Hall 4, while Hall 5 will be dedicated to firearms and tactical equipment.
“The new hall layout makes sense for many reasons,” explained Stefanie Leege, director of IWA OutdoorClassics. “It allows visitors to discover all segments more easily and aligns product groupings with the structure of specialist retail ranges. The result will be a more focused and dynamic show experience.”
As the Made for Trade campaign takes shape, IWA OutdoorClassics 2026 reaffirms its role as the essential meeting point for the global hunting and shooting trade — a platform built not just to showcase innovation, but to strengthen the very network that sustains it.
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