Attendance Mixed at Cersaie 2026, Report Reveals

Attendance was down year-over-year at this year’s Cersaie, with 2.4 per cent fewer visitors than in 2025.

Italian attendance, which typically accounts for more than half of total visitors given the trade show’s location in Bologna, fell 3.7 per cent to 47,852 visitors from 49,671 a year earlier.

International attendance, however, remained relatively stable, with 44,500 visitors compared with 44,906 in 2025.

Overseas visitors accounted for 48.2 per cent of total attendance.

“Despite a slight decline in visitor numbers, Cersaie once again confirmed its position as the sector’s leading international exhibition and a unique asset for the Italian ceramic industry,” says Augusto Ciarrocchi, chair of Confindustria Ceramica, the Italian trade association representing the country’s ceramic industry. “We delivered a solid edition of the show, with participation remaining at the high levels Cersaie has consistently achieved. In today’s difficult global climate, simply maintaining that level of normality is in itself an achievement.”

The show, held at the Bologna Exhibition Centre Sept. 21-25, occupied all 16 halls, covering just over 1.56 million square feet. It hosted 595 exhibitors: 314 ceramic tile companies, 96 bathroom furnishing companies and 185 businesses from related sectors, including installation, raw materials, new surfaces and services. Thirty-nine per cent of exhibitors were international, representing 24 countries.

More than 800 people attended keynote lectures delivered by architects Alejandro Aravena and Annabelle Selldorf.

Special attention was devoted to younger generations. A career day brought companies into direct contact with recent graduates and final-year university students, while large numbers of secondary school students took part in Lesson in Reverse, an annual Q&A-style educational event featuring prominent designers and architects.

Cersaie returns Sept. 27-Oct. 1, 2027.