31. Spoga + Gafa 2026: The World’s Leading Trade Fair for Garden Lifestyle and BBQ

Spoga + Gafa is the world’s most important international trade fair for garden lifestyle, outdoor living, and BBQ. Held annually in Cologne, Germany, the exhibition serves as the global meeting point where manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and industry experts converge to discover the latest products, innovations, and trends shaping the outdoor living industry. No other trade fair covers the entire spectrum of garden lifestyle as comprehensively, from outdoor furniture and decoration to BBQ equipment, garden care technology, and outdoor adventure products. The exhibition represents over 50 years of industry expertise, having evolved from the merger of two pioneering events: “spoga” (sports and garden fair) and “gafa” (specialist garden trade fair). The next edition of spoga+gafa is scheduled for June 22-24, 2026, at Koelnmesse in Cologne.

Exhibition Overview

spoga+gafa 2026 will showcase approximately 1,800 exhibitors from over 60 countries presenting their latest products across multiple halls covering the full spectrum of outdoor living. The three-day trade event is expected to attract around 35,000 trade visitors from over 100 countries, making it the largest and most international gathering in the garden and outdoor industry. The exhibition occupies extensive space at Koelnmesse, one of the world’s largest and most modern exhibition centers, providing optimal conditions for product presentations and business meetings.

From 2026 onwards, spoga+gafa presents itself with a refined concept titled “spoga+gafa growing forward,” featuring newly aligned theme worlds that optimize the segmentation of product offerings and provide exhibiting companies with clear orientation and access to suitable target groups. This restructuring reflects the evolution of consumer behavior and outdoor trends, positioning the fair to better serve both exhibitors and visitors.

The exhibition is organized by Koelnmesse GmbH, one of Germany’s leading trade fair organizers and the global leader for exhibitions in the living, contract, and public spaces sectors. Cologne’s central European location, excellent transport connections via Cologne Bonn Airport and extensive rail networks, modern infrastructure, and rich cultural offerings make it an ideal destination for an international trade fair of this magnitude.

spoga+gafa features several special attractions and programs including the Boulevard of Trends & Ideas (showcasing trend-setting products and design innovations), POS Green Solution Islands (presenting retail-ready merchandising concepts), BBQ for Every Wallet (demonstrating grilling solutions across all price segments), Outdoor Kitchen World (dedicated focus area for outdoor culinary spaces), and a comprehensive lecture program featuring industry experts discussing market trends, sustainability, design innovation, and business strategies.

Major Participants and Visitors

spoga+gafa attracts the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers from all major production hubs. The top five exhibiting countries include China, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Poland, though participants come from 58+ countries worldwide. Approximately 85% of exhibitors are international companies, underscoring the fair’s truly global character.

The exhibition features manufacturers ranging from multinational corporations to specialized SMEs and innovative startups. Product categories span garden furniture and outdoor living solutions from European designers and Asian manufacturers, BBQ and grilling equipment from specialized producers worldwide, garden care machinery and equipment from agricultural technology leaders, plant care products and horticultural supplies, outdoor decoration and lifestyle products, and pet care products for outdoor use.

The visitor profile comprises specialist retailers operating garden centers, DIY stores, and home improvement chains, specialist wholesalers and distributors serving retail networks, furniture retailers and department stores with outdoor furniture departments, e-commerce platforms and online retailers expanding outdoor product offerings, landscapers and garden designers seeking equipment and materials, architects and designers specifying outdoor products for projects, contract business representatives from hospitality, commercial, and institutional sectors, and industry experts, consultants, and media representatives. Approximately 67% of visitors come from outside Germany, with top visiting countries including Netherlands, Italy, Great Britain, Poland, and France.

Product Spectrum

spoga+gafa 2026 is organized into clearly defined theme worlds and product categories:

Living (Garden Furniture & Decoration):

• Outdoor Furniture: Seating groups, dining sets, lounge furniture, sun loungers, daybeds, hammocks, swings
• Balcony and Patio Furniture: Space-efficient furniture for small outdoor areas
• Premium Design Furniture: High-end collections from renowned designers
• NEW 2026: Object.Europe: Curated exhibition space exclusively for European outdoor furniture manufacturers who demonstrate sustainable production, short delivery routes, and high design quality
• Outdoor Decoration: Cushions, throws, outdoor textiles, lanterns, candles, decorative objects
• Parasols and Shading: Market umbrellas, cantilever parasols, gazebos, pergolas, awnings, shade sails
• Garden Accessories: Planters, plant pots, garden sculptures, water features

BBQ (Grilling & Outdoor Cooking):

• BBQ Grills: Gas grills, charcoal grills, electric grills, pellet grills, smokers, kamado grills
• Outdoor Kitchens: Complete outdoor kitchen systems, modular components, built-in grills
• BBQ Accessories: Grilling tools, thermometers, covers, cleaning equipment, fuel and fire starters
• NEW 2026: Flavour Market (biennial): Enhanced interlinking between BBQ hardware, culinary products, spices, sauces, marinades, gourmet foods, and cross-selling opportunities

Creation&Care (Garden Design & Maintenance):

• Garden Design Equipment: Tools for landscaping, construction equipment, paving materials
• Garden Design Technology: Smart irrigation systems, outdoor lighting, water features, fountains
• Plants & Plant Care: Seeds, bulbs, fertilizers, plant protection products, growing media
• Garden Tools: Hand tools, power tools, electric tools, battery-powered equipment
• Garden Machinery: Lawn mowers, robotic mowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws
• Watering Solutions: Hoses, sprinklers, irrigation systems, rain barrels, watering cans

Outdoor Adventure (Lifestyle & Leisure):

• Camping & Outdoor Equipment: Tents, sleeping bags, outdoor gear, camping equipment
• Sports & Games: Outdoor games, trampolines, play equipment, sports equipment
• Pet Products: Pet furniture, pet accessories, pet care products for outdoor use
• Swimming Pools & Spas: Above-ground pools, hot tubs, pool accessories, maintenance equipment

NEW 2026: Garden Sourcing Hub:

• Dedicated hall for Asia-sourcing specifically targeting international buyers
• Concentrated offering from Asian manufacturers
• Streamlined sourcing for volume buyers and importers

Why Visit spoga+gafa 2026?

Unmatched Product Breadth and Depth: spoga+gafa offers the most comprehensive range of garden lifestyle and BBQ products anywhere in the world. With 1,800+ exhibitors across all categories, visitors can compare products from multiple suppliers, evaluate the latest innovations, identify emerging trends, discover niche products and specialized solutions, and complete their entire sourcing needs in three focused days. The concentration of the global industry in one location creates efficiency that cannot be matched through individual supplier visits or regional trade shows.

Global Industry Meeting Point: The exhibition’s truly international character brings together participants from over 100 countries, creating unparalleled networking opportunities. Visitors can meet suppliers from all major manufacturing regions, connect with potential business partners and distributors, learn from the best international practices and market approaches, understand global trends before they reach local markets, and build relationships with decision-makers from leading brands. The diversity of participants provides insights into different market approaches and consumer preferences across regions.

Innovation and Trend Discovery: spoga+gafa serves as the industry’s primary platform for launching new products and innovations. The exhibition showcases world premieres and market launches, design innovations from leading European and international designers, technological advancements in materials and manufacturing, sustainability solutions and eco-friendly products, and smart home integration and connected garden technologies. Special presentation areas like the Boulevard of Trends & Ideas highlight the most innovative and trend-setting products, helping buyers identify what will drive their business forward.

Strategic Business Intelligence: Beyond product discovery, spoga+gafa provides valuable market intelligence through comprehensive lecture programs featuring industry experts on market trends, consumer behavior, and retail strategies, special forums addressing sustainability, circular economy, and environmental responsibility, guided tours highlighting specific product categories or themes, networking events connecting buyers with manufacturers and industry peers, and insights from association partners representing various segments of the industry. This knowledge enables informed business decisions about product selection, market positioning, and strategic planning.

Efficiency and ROI: The concentrated format of spoga+gafa maximizes return on time and travel investment. Visitors can accomplish in three days what would require weeks or months of individual supplier appointments, evaluate and compare products from competing manufacturers side-by-side, negotiate terms directly with decision-makers and receive immediate responses, discover complementary product categories that expand business opportunities, and gain inspiration and ideas that drive innovation in their own operations. The trade-only format ensures serious business interactions without distraction.

“spoga+gafa growing forward” Concept: The 2026 edition introduces refined theme segmentation that improves navigation and targeting. The new Object.Europe section provides access to high-quality European furniture with verified sustainability credentials. The Garden Sourcing Hub concentrates Asian suppliers for efficient volume purchasing. The Flavour Market creates exciting cross-selling opportunities between BBQ equipment and culinary products. These innovations make the exhibition more user-friendly and business-focused than ever before.

Prime Location and Timing: Cologne’s position in the heart of Europe provides excellent accessibility from all major markets. The June timing allows retailers to finalize orders for the critical summer selling season while providing lead time for autumn/winter planning. Koelnmesse’s modern facilities, extensive hotel infrastructure, and Cologne’s cultural attractions create an environment conducive to productive business activities combined with professional networking.

Conclusion

spoga+gafa 2026 represents an essential event for anyone involved in the garden lifestyle, outdoor living, and BBQ industries. As the world’s leading trade fair in these sectors, it provides unmatched access to products, innovations, and business opportunities that drive industry success.

The outdoor living industry is experiencing significant transformation. Consumer preferences are shifting toward outdoor spaces as extended living areas, creating demand for furniture and products that combine style, comfort, durability, and sustainability. The growing interest in outdoor cooking and entertaining drives BBQ market expansion. Environmental consciousness influences product development and purchasing decisions. Digitalization and smart technologies are being integrated into garden equipment and outdoor products. These trends create both challenges and opportunities for industry participants, and spoga+gafa provides the platform where these dynamics can be understood, discussed, and acted upon.

The exhibition’s long history and continuous evolution demonstrate its enduring value to the industry. Since 1973, spoga+gafa has adapted to changing market conditions while maintaining its position as the industry’s most important gathering. The “growing forward” concept for 2026 shows Koelnmesse’s commitment to keeping the fair relevant and valuable for exhibitors and visitors alike.

The support from major industry associations underscores spoga+gafa’s central role in the garden and outdoor sectors. These organizations recognize the fair as essential infrastructure for their industries, facilitating business development, knowledge transfer, and industry advancement. Their active participation through networking events, seminars, and member engagement adds value to all attendees.

Mark your calendars for June 22-24, 2026, and plan to join the global garden lifestyle and BBQ industry at Koelnmesse in Cologne. Whether you’re sourcing products for retail, seeking innovative solutions for projects, exploring market expansion opportunities, or staying current with industry developments, spoga+gafa 2026 offers relevant insights and valuable connections.

For more information and registration details, visit the official spoga+gafa website: www.spogagafa.com