Munich's future with IAA Mobility: a city resolution to be determined
The IAA Mobility car show, a significant event in the automotive industry, is set to continue its presence in Munich's city centre beyond 2025. This decision is backed by the Munich Trade Fair, the Association of the German Automobile Industry (VDA), and the Munich City Council.
The city centre exhibition areas, such as Max-Joseph-Platz, Odeonsplatz, Lenbachplatz, and Ludwigstraße, have been key prerequisites for the extension of the IAA Mobility. During previous events, these locations have attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, demonstrating the public's interest in the fair's city centre participation.
In 2025, the IAA Mobility fair transformed these central squares into open spaces and exhibits, with BMW Open Space on Max-Joseph-Platz, DLR Open Space on Odeonsplatz, and the MINI pavilion on Lenbachplatz. This city centre integration carries forward from the 2021 and 2023 editions, which also featured extensive participation in the heart of Munich.
Reinhard Pfeiffer, one of the CEOs of the Munich Trade Fair, has emphasised the importance of bringing the topic of mobility into the city. The fair's motto, "It's All About Mobility," reflects this commitment. The Munich Trade Fair is actively involved in the campaign for the city centre presence of the IAA Mobility and is a crucial part of the VDA's efforts to extend the show beyond the agreed event in 2025.
However, not everyone is in favour of the city centre presence of the IAA Mobility. Some argue about the burden on residents and the commercialisation of public space. Despite these concerns, the Bavarian Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters) has stated that they want to keep the IAA in Munich in the long term.
The bid for the IAA Mobility car show in Munich includes the integration of mobility into the city, aligning with the Munich Trade Fair's stance on the IAA Mobility. The Munich Trade Fair Company and the VDA consider the city centre presence a key part of the concept, officially referred to as a central element by the VDA.
As a result, based on current information, the IAA Mobility fair is scheduled and structured to continue leveraging Munich’s city centre after 2025, maintaining its commitment to bringing mobility into the heart of the city.
[1] Munich Trade Fair Press Release
[2] IAA Mobility Official Website
[3] BMW Open Space Press Release
[4] DLR Open Space Press Release
[5] Munich City Council Decision
- The IAA Mobility fair, which focuses on mobility in the city, will continue to leverage Munich's city centre beyond 2025, as supported by the Munich Trade Fair, VDA, and Munich City Council.
- The city centre of Munich, marked by locations such as Max-Joseph-Platz, Odeonsplatz, Lenbachplatz, and Ludwigstraße, has been a key prerequisite for the extension of the IAA Mobility due to the high public interest demonstrated in previous events.
