World Defense Show 2026 Sells 90% of Exhibition Space Ahead of Riyadh Event

RIYADH: With more than six months to go before opening day, the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026 has already sold 90 percent of its exhibition space, organizers announced. The major defense and security expo will take place from February 8 to 12, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Andrew Pearcey, CEO of WDS, hailed the surge in demand as a clear indicator of the event’s growing global significance.

“The overwhelming demand for exhibition space is a testament to the show’s growing reputation as a must-attend event for those shaping the next era of defense and global security,” Pearcey said.

Speaking last week at the IDEF 2025 defense expo in Istanbul, Pearcey noted that WDS representatives had meaningful engagements with Turkish defense leaders, laying the groundwork for expanded participation in 2026.

Since its inception in 2022, the World Defense Show has rapidly grown in scale and stature. The 2026 edition will feature 273,000 square meters of exhibition space, a more than 58 percent increase compared to the inaugural event. A new exhibition hall has been added to accommodate the expansion.

Held under the theme “The Future of Defense Integration,” WDS 2026 will highlight the latest innovations across all five defense domains—air, land, sea, space, and security.

Exhibitors from over 80 countries are expected to participate, with new national entries including Japan, Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Finland. Türkiye is currently the third-largest participant, with Turkish companies already booking 4,400 square meters of space—and more expected to follow.

The show is organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and serves as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal to localize 50 percent of its defense spending by the end of the decade.

New programs debuting in 2026 include:

• A Defense and Security Industry Lab

• A dedicated Future Technologies Pavilion

• A Saudi Supply Chain Zone, aimed at connecting local SMEs with international defense contractors

Multiple high-level panel discussions will also take place, focusing on key topics such as emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, and global defense trade.

Since its founding, the World Defense Show has positioned Saudi Arabia as a premier destination for military innovation and industrial collaboration. The first edition in 2022 attracted 600 exhibitors from 42 countries, 82 official delegations, and over 65,000 visitors from 85 countries.

With momentum building, the 2026 edition is poised to break new records and further solidify Riyadh’s standing on the global defense stage.