ISM Cologne 2026

The next event is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before, with ISM Cologne 2026 returning from the 1st to 4th of February. ISM Cologne 2026 is predicted to bring together over 32,000 trade professionals and over 1,500 exhibitors, making it an absolutely unmissable trade spectacle. We can’t wait to meet you at ISM Cologne 2026, so make sure to visit Silver Crane in the UK Pavilion for all the latest in packaging design and innovation.

Key information

• Start Date: Sunday, 1st of February 2026
• End Date: Wednesday, 4th of February 2026
• Duration: 4-day in-person event
• Venue: Koelnmesse, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln, Germany

About ISM Cologne

ISM Cologne stands out as the world’s largest trade fair dedicated exclusively to confectionery and snacks, organised annually by Koelnmesse GmbH. With the exhibition floor spanning over 100,000 m², ISM Cologne brings together the very best businesses and minds from the sweets and snacks industry under one roof.

The trade fair showcases an extraordinary range of products, including chocolate, confectionery, biscuits, ice cream, and savoury snacks. Beyond this, ISM Cologne features educational seminars, trend presentations, the renowned ISM Award ceremony, and extensive networking opportunities that make it an essential event for discovering new product launches and understanding the trends that will shape the industry’s future.

It is a truly international affair. The 2025 event attracted over 1,500 exhibitors from over 70 countries, and over 32,000 trade visitors from 135 countries. For 2026, the trade fair continues its impressive growth trajectory with a 5.5% growth in the number of exhibitors and 5% more exhibition space, cementing its position as the global meeting point for the best in the confectionery and snacks industry.

Event Information for ISM Cologne 2026

Here is everything you need to know if you are planning to attend ISM Cologne 2026:

• Location: Koelnmesse, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln, Germany. One of Europe’s most modern and accessible exhibition centres.
• Main Event Dates: Sunday, 1st February – Wednesday, 4th February 2026.
• Opening Night:
  • Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 6:00 pm
  • Confex, Koelnmesse Halle 1, 50679 Köln (Transport Provided)
• Opening Hours For Visitors:
  • Sunday, Monday & Tuesday – 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Opening Hours For Exhibitors:
  • Sunday, Monday & Tuesday – 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Floor plan: View the ISM Cologne 2026 floor plan.
• Awards Ceremonies:
  • ISM Award 2026 – Opening Night on 1 February 2026.
  • ISM Consumer Award 2026 – Talks & Tasting Stage on Tuesday afternoon.
  • ISM New Product Showcase – Time TBC, At Hall 10.1
• Registration: If you wish to attend the ISM Cologne 2026 as a trade visitor, you can purchase tickets online. To attend as an exhibitor, applications can be made online.

What to Expect at ISM Cologne 2026

ISM Cologne 2026 promises to be the greatest showcase of innovations, trends, and products across the confectionery and snack industries. It is a once-a-year occasion that brings together the very best the industry has to offer, offering unique networking opportunities. Here’s what awaits you at this year’s event:

• Exhibition: Beyond the amazing product exhibitions, ISM Cologne brings together packaging suppliers, machinery manufacturers, ingredients providers, logistics companies, and retail buyers. The trade fair is organised into clearly defined product categories, making it easy for visitors to navigate and discover exactly what they’re looking for:
  • Chocolate Products: Featuring everything from traditional bars to seasonal creations and premium seasonal gifts.
  • Hand-Crafted: A new specialist trade area for 2026, featuring handmade confectionery made from the finest ingredients and practices.
  • Sugar Confectionery: A colourful range including candies, gummies, coated sweets, hard and soft caramels, tablets, jams, and much more.
  • Biscuits & Bakery: Expect artisan biscuits, cakes, waffles, stollen, gingerbread and even local delicacies from across the globe.
  • Snack Foods: Discover the latest in snack food innovation, including crisps, jerky, crackers, nuts, popcorn and much more.
  • Ice Cream & Frozen Sweets: Frozen sweets will be a growing trend in 2026, but you can also find everybody’s favourite here – ice cream!
  • Trend & Natural Snacks: Find out about the latest and greatest in snack trends, including vegetable crisps, protein bars and vegan goods.
• Education: The Expert Stage features industry presentations on current trends, whilst the Sweet Week Talks & Tasting Stage offers dynamic presentations and tastings throughout the event. It is definitely worth visiting both stages as part of your visit to learn about the latest innovations in the sweets and snack industry.
• Opening Night: Experience the ISM Opening Night at Confex on Sunday, 1st February 2026, featuring the ISM Awards ceremony, live music, delicious food, and unbeatable networking opportunities. The perfect way to kick off the event.
• Awards: ISM Cologne 2026 features three prestigious awards. The prestigious ISM Award recognises major industry achievements, the ISM Consumer Award honours products with exceptional consumer appeal and market success, and the ISM New Product Showcase Award, which celebrates breakthrough innovations.
• Special Areas: New for 2026, ISM Ingredients is the new standalone platform for raw materials, ingredients, and semi-finished products. The perfect place to build relationships between suppliers and manufacturers in Hall 10.1. The New Product Showcase is another area that can’t be missed. Here you will find brand new products that have launched since the last ISM Cologne event.

Visit Silver Crane At ISM Cologne 2026

ISM Cologne is a regular event for Silver Crane, and we are delighted to be exhibiting again in 2026. In the UK Pavilion, you’ll discover all of the latest innovations in food gifting and innovative tin packaging design. We will be showcasing seasonal gifting concepts and fully packed shelf-ready formats. Our team will be on hand throughout the event to discuss how our end-to-end service can help bring your confectionery concept to market.

We are excited to meet you at ISM Cologne 2026. Be sure to visit our stand so you can learn how The Silver Crane company can take your product packaging to new heights!

Connect With Us Beyond the Event

Couldn’t attend in person? Or want to continue the conversation after the show? Please contact our friendly team if you require an end-to-end packaging solution for your project or speak to one of our experts.