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IWA OutdoorClassics 2026 is the premier international exhibition for the airgun industry. Sure, there’s some airgun interest at the SHOT Show, but the number of exhibitors has declined over the years.
Most of the airgun world makes IWA their focus. Held in Nuremberg, Germany from 26 February to 1 March 2026, it’s a truly international event for the outdoor industry held in a purpose-built exhibition site. Plus, it attracts many manufacturers that are almost completely unknown in the USA.
In total, there’s waaaaay more airgun industry interest at IWA than there is at the SHOT Show, as you can see from my many HAM reports from IWA OutdoorClassics in the past.
So I talked to Stefanie Leege, the Exhibition Director for IWA OutdoorClassics to find out more about the 2026 show. That’s Stefanie in our heading photo above. This, and all the photographs in this story are copyright NürnbergMesse.
Hard Air Magazine: Stefanie, it’s great to meet you. Can you please tell me how long you have run the IWA show?
Stefanie Leege: It’s nice to meet you too, Steve! I have been in the exhibitions industry for my whole working life and joined Nürnberg Messe – IWA’s owning company – in 2014. I have been running IWA since 2024, so 2026 will be my third year in charge.
Hard Air Magazine: What do you enjoy most about the IWA Show?
Stefanie Leege: IWA OutdoorClassics is one of the top three annual shows run by Nürnberg Messe here in Nuremberg. What I like is that it’s the most international show we have. Exhibitors and attendees come from 126 countries around the world. I enjoy meeting and helping people from so many different backgrounds and cultures!
Below. Herr Joachim Herrmann, Bavarian Stateminister for the Interior visits the show. Here he’s seen with – from left to right – Hans Weihrauch, Felix Weihrauch and Thilo Schallenkammer at the Weihrauch booth.
Hard Air Magazine: So, Stefanie, how big will IWA be in 2026?
Stefanie Leege: We’re anticipating that it will be about the same size as in 2025. That means around 30,000 visitors and 1,100 exhibitors – with approximately 85% traveling from outside Germany.
I’m delighted that 65% of the 2026 exhibition space was already reserved by IWA exhibitors before they left the 2025 show. So we know that participation will be strong!
Hard Air Magazine: Does that mean it’s too late for companies who have not yet registered for IWA 2026?
Stefanie Leege: Not at all! Exhibitors are registering all the time – around 80 of them are from the airgun industry already.
Our flexibility means that we can accept new exhibitors almost up until the show starts. But I strongly suggest companies apply by mid-January 2026 at the latest. Signing-up earlier gives everyone more chance to be successful with their show goals, rather than making it a last-minute rush.
Plus, of course, attendees can register at any time – our online ticket shop is open now. The main thing is to get those flights and hotels arranged!
Hard Air Magazine: But isn’t it complicated for companies to become exhibitors at IWA OutdoorClassics?
Stefanie Leege: Don’t worry about that Steve, we make everything as easy as possible. For example, we have a “Newcomers’ Area” that is ideal for first-time exhibitors.
Also we have a range of services that help exhibitors design and set-up their booths. And we can advise on transporting exhibits into Germany from other countries.
As you know, we have many exhibitors from the USA. That’s why we have two dedicated “USA Pavilions” in Halls 4 and 5 at the 2026 show. Our local US office – Nürnberg Messe North America, based in Atlanta – can provide packages of services and support that make exhibiting at IWA really easy. And even some very large companies are in the Pavilions, it’s not just for small players.
In 2026, the USA Pavilion for guns and associated products is going to be right next to the SIG SAUER booth, so that’s sure to generate a lot of traffic!
Hard Air Magazine: How much does it cost for a company to become an exhibitor at IWA OutdoorClassics 2026?
Stefanie Leege: You know, it’s not as expensive as many people think!
A $10,000 budget would probably be enough to cover the expenses for a small booth at the show. Now obviously that figure could be much larger, based on what an exhibitor wanted to achieve. But $10K would be a ballpark starting point – most companies can afford that, after all. If not, the Newcomers Area starts at around $4.5K.
Another cost-saving option is that we allow companies to join existing exhibitors as partner brands or co-exhibitors. We try to be as flexible as we can – while retaining a completely professional operation, of course.
Hard Air Magazine: People say to me that IWA OutdoorClassics is smaller than the SHOT Show. Is that true?
Stefanie Leege: Yes, but not by that much and it’s better value! Please let me explain…
Our goal with IWA is this. It’s more important that the right people come together at our show, rather than that we have the largest numbers.
For that reason, we carefully vet exhibitors to ensure that they truly deserve to be included in the outdoor sporting industry. We are creating an environment where both attendees and exhibitors can expand their network of contacts.
This makes attendance at IWA an outstanding “door opener” to contacts you never had before!
Hard Air Magazine: Stefanie, thanks for taking the time to talk to me. You’ve explained a lot about IWA that I didn’t know – even though I have been an attendee for 10 years!
Stefanie Leege: Steve, it’s been a pleasure. I look forward to seeing you at IWA OutdoorClassics 2026, along with many other members of the airgun industry!
My personal perspective is that IWA OutdoorClassics 2026 will be an outstanding exhibition.
I live in up-State New York: the air fare to Nuremberg is not that much more than the cost of a ticket to Vegas for the SHOT Show. Plus, hotels, eating and everything else is much cheaper!
Pretty-well everyone from the airgun industry is at IWA. It’s definitely THE place to meet. Oh – did I mention that the Bratwurst and beer are great, too?
If you’re in the airgun industry I’ll see you at IWA 2026. If not, you can read all about the latest news from my reports in Hard Air Magazine.
The post If You’re In The Airgun Industry, You Need To Be At IWA OutdoorClassics 2026 appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.
