In this post, we’re taking an IWA OutdoorClassics 2026 business perspective.
Why bother to do this? Well, Hard Air Magazine is read by every airgun manufacturer around the world, so I feel this summary will be useful for them – plus those industry participants who were unable to make it to the show.
IWA OutdoorClassics is the world’s largest trade show for the airgun industry. We all need it to be a vibrant, comprehensive event as that’s good for everyone – manufacturers, distributors, dealers and shooters.
Below. Airgun Technology has a typical “average” stand at the show.
Below we see a larger stand. This one’s for Kral Arms.
This year’s show once again demonstrated the significant role IWA plays in the international shooting sports market. In 2026 no less than 1,050 manufacturers (not just for airguns, of course), international wholesalers and distributors gathered in Nuremberg.
No less than 83 percent of them were from outside Germany. This is a genuine international event!
Below. IWA also hosts a range of educational and informative events. Like this one…
Below, there’s also a dedicated knife area. Now what we need is a dedicated airgun focus area for the show, too!!!
In addition, more than 25,000 trade visitors and media representatives from 121 countries gathered in Nuremberg. The event clearly shows that the industry relies more than ever on global networking, personal consultation and dependable business relationships.
Above. SIG SAUER has been absent from big trade shows like IWA and the SHOT Show for some years. But they were back at IWA in 2026 with a mid-sized, but very professional, operation.
“IWA is an internationally oriented show, and this has been evident across all areas. Professional discussions in every world language, business channels connecting continents – this is something you will only find here in our industry,” emphasizes Stefanie Leege, Exhibition Director of IWA OutdoorClassics.
Exhibitors and visitors likewise drew an exceptionally positive conclusion. Me too!
Among the strongest visitor nations were Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, France, the United Kingdom, China, Turkey, Switzerland, Spain and Denmark. IWA is a global network that intensifies, renews and strengthens itself over four days.
For many businesses, particularly smaller retailers from (relatively) niche markets – like airguns – IWA is a decisive moment in the business calendar: they can meet international partners, review products, make comparisons and take strategic decisions on the spot.
Below. A big advantage of IWA is that a small company can start with a tiny 10 x 10 Ft stand like this at very low package cost of less than $4,500. That’s simply not possible at the SHOT Show, for example.
While – at the other extreme – there are humungous stands like that of Umarex/Walther Arms. They have internal meeting rooms and their own restaurant for invited guests behind those high walls. (Yes, I have been in there).
Feedback from this year’s exhibitors was clear: the key distributors and specialist retailers from across the airgun world were present at IWA and actively sought dialogue with the manufacturers.
Below. Where you see the green band across the top of the stands, the companies are part of the special “Chinese Pavilion”.
There’s a US pavilion, too, with blue header…
Exhibitors and visitors alike confirmed their high satisfaction in 2026. For everyone I talked to, IWA was perceived as a professionally structured and welcoming venue for confidential talks, new partnerships and direct order business in the airgun industry.
In fact, more than 70 percent of the exhibition space for IWA 2027 has already been booked – a clear indication that most exhibitors have already confirmed their participation.
Below. Each red dot on the 2027 show floor plan represents a re-booking for next year. (As you can see, I took this photograph well before the end of the show).
Following this IWA OutdoorClassics 2026 business perspective, we’ll bring you more unique airgun news direct from the show…
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