IWA OutdoorClassics 2021 cancelled
IWA OutdoorClassics sets the next impulse with “Made for Trade”: Starting 2027, the worlds leading exhibition moves to April – Tuesday to Thursday. The new schedule offers more efficiency for exhibitors and visitors while strengthening international focus. Mark your calendar now: April 13–15, 2027 in Nuremberg.
Nuremberg, January 8, 2026: For decades, IWA OutdoorClassics has been the international meeting point for the hunting and target sports industry. With the “Made for Trade” initiative, it has sharpened its focus on the specialist trade and industry. Starting in 2027, the exhibition will move to April and run from Tuesday to Thursday – a change designed to reflect its growing international reach. This move reinforces IWA’s unique position as a B2B platform and opens up new opportunities for exhibitors and visitors worldwide. The decision is the result of intensive discussions with exhibitors, associations, and visitors.
Strategic groundwork in challenging times
Societal debates, political decisions, global crises, and technological developments have fundamentally transformed the industry. For IWA OutdoorClassics, this means actively shaping the market as the leading B2B platform – through formats such as IWA Vision and IWA Expert, which open up market access and foster strategic partnerships. The “Made for Trade” positioning has underlined the ambition to place the international specialist trade at the center and to establish IWA as a workspace for business decisions. These initiatives are part of a long-term strategy that now takes its next step with the shift in dates.
The motivation: Why the change of dates opens up new opportunities
“We have listened very carefully,” says Stefanie Leege, Exhibition Director of IWA OutdoorClassics. “The feedback was clear: the start of the year is tightly scheduled for many companies. With the new date, we create breathing space in the calendar and enable more efficient participation. We need a exhibition that is not only relevant but also efficient. With this change, we at IWA are now acting decisively to provide relief for the industry. At the same time, we always keep a global perspective on developments,” Leege continues.
Made for Trade – More Than Just a Motto
Under the guiding principle “Made for Trade,” IWA consistently positions itself as a trade fair for the international specialist market. It’s all about ordering, networking, and strategic discussions. “Made for Trade means creating conditions that strengthen the trade,” says Leege. “The change of dates is a logical step in this development.” This positioning has set important impulses: a stronger B2B focus, more efficient offerings, and a trade-oriented supporting program.
What’s Changing in Detail?
Starting in 2027, IWA OutdoorClassics will take place in April and run for three days. The sequence of days will be midweek to make travel and participation easier. For exhibitors, this means lower costs; for visitors, better travel options – and a exhibition that marks the key business week of the year as the leading B2B platform. “Three days are absolutely sufficient if the quality is right,” says Stefanie Leege. “We don’t expect any losses, but rather a stronger focus on what really matters,” Leege adds.
Save the Date now: IWA OutdoorClassics 2027 – the most important event for the trade – will take place from April 13 to 15 in Nuremberg.
Voices from the industry:
Olaf Sauer, President of the Association of Manufacturers of Hunting and Sporting Firearms and Ammunition (JSM): “From the perspective of the German industry, the change of dates is a decisive step to ease the overloaded start of the year. Many of our companies face the challenge of attending several trade fairs within just a few weeks – this ties up enormous resources. The new date gives us the opportunity to prepare products more thoroughly, manage marketing campaigns more strategically, and improve the quality of our trade fair presentations. We see this not merely as an organizational adjustment, but as a strategic opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of the German industry in an international context. Especially for German manufacturers with a strong export focus, IWA remains an indispensable global platform.”
Tony Bernado, President of the World Forum on Shooting Activities (WFSA): „As the World Forum on Shooting Activities (WFSA), we strongly support the strategic evolution of IWA OutdoorClassics as the leading international meeting point for decision-makers in the hunting, shooting sports, and civilian firearms industry. WFSA plays a key role in global advocacy and policy dialogue, representing the interests of millions of hunters and sport shooters at the highest international level, including the United Nations. For us, IWA is not only a marketplace but a critical forum for discussing regulatory frameworks, promoting responsible practices, and ensuring that the voice of our community is heard worldwide. The decision to adjust the event dates reflects a forward-looking approach that strengthens IWA’s position as a hub for industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders. We welcome this development as an opportunity to deepen international cooperation and advance constructive solutions for the future of our sector.“
The WFSA plenary session will also take place in 2027 on the two preceding days as part of IWA OutdoorClassics.
Michael Blendinger, President of the Association of German Gunsmiths and Firearms Retailers (VDB): “For the trade – both national and international – the rescheduling is a clear advantage. Due to the trade fair marathon in the first quarter, it had become difficult for exhibitors and visitors to follow all developments with interest. The proximity to the hunting season now opens up additional opportunities for in-depth discussions and product range renewals. Thanks to the prior breathing space, the industry can orient itself and give IWA the clear attention it deserves. At the same time, IWA remains the central venue for ordering and networking. This underscores IWA’s unique position as the international B2B key platform for the industry – clearly separated from B2C shows. As an association, we see this as an important course-setting for the future: IWA focuses on the needs of the trade and creates a platform that is more efficient and relevant than ever before. Now it is up to all of us to actively support this change and continue to develop the trade fair together.”
About IWA OutdoorClassics
From 26 February to 1 March 2026, IWA OutdoorClassics will take place in Nuremberg – the leading B2B platform for the hunting and shooting sports industry. The exhibition showcases a diverse range of products: from hunting, sporting, and airsoft firearms to ammunition, optics, and knives, as well as premium clothing, outdoor equipment, and tactical gear. With representatives from over 120 countries, the event creates a unique network for decision-makers, manufacturers, and specialist retailers. Through personal meetings and targeted networking, valuable connections are formed that shape the market of tomorrow. IWA OutdoorClassics remains exclusively reserved for trade visitors, ensuring a qualified audience actively seeking new business opportunities. Over 1,000 exhibitors are expected to attend IWA OutdoorClassics 2026.
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