The real estate sector continues to be in a phase of transformation. In view of more restrictive capital allocation and a growing need for robust investment and infrastructure concepts, EXPO REAL maintains its role as a central point of reference for the sector. From 5 to 7 October 2026, Europe's leading trade fair for real estate, investment, and infrastructure will bring together the relevant players in the industry for the 28th time at the Munich exhibition grounds. Three months before the fair begins, registration figures are at the same level as the previous year, underscoring the continued importance of personal exchange and market transparency.
Approximately 40,000 experts from the real estate industry, as well as representatives of local authorities and infrastructure operators, are expected. The thematic focuses include residential properties, logistics, retail, and hotels. For the first time, investable infrastructure will also be addressed as a separate topic. Claudia Boymanns, Exhibition Director of EXPO REAL, states that the stable registration figures represent a positive signal against the backdrop of the challenging market environment. She also highlights the new forum "InfrastructureNow", which addresses current industry topics in a practical manner. The innovation platform "Transform & Beyond" will also be further developed to bring together established companies, start-ups, and innovation drivers.
Focus on investable infrastructure
With the "InfrastructureNow" forum, EXPO REAL expands its spectrum to include the investable infrastructure segment. The focus is on energy, digital, and social infrastructures, as well as the dialogue between investors, project developers, operators, financial institutions, municipalities, and political decision-makers. The energy transition, digitalisation, and urbanisation influence the requirements for real estate and locations, while at the same time the need for investment in infrastructure is increasing. The forum addresses this interface in detail.
- —Shedding light on investment strategies
- —Analysis of financing models and partnerships
- —Discussion of market trends and regulatory frameworks
- —Presentation of practical examples for linking infrastructure and the real estate industry
The goal is a stronger integration of infrastructure as an independent, long-term relevant asset class into the real estate industry.
Comprehensive market coverage and conference programme
This year, EXPO REAL is spread across seven halls and covers the entire value chain of the real estate industry – from project development and financing to asset and property management, as well as infrastructure and technology topics. Hall B3 focuses on retail and residential. The Grand Plaza serves as a meeting point for retail properties and new supply concepts. The "Flexible Housing – Opportunities next door" area deals with forward-looking housing concepts that offer solutions to demographic change, altered lifestyles, and resource scarcity.
"Transform & Beyond" in Hall A3 is the central platform for future and transformation topics in the industry. There, companies and start-ups present solutions in the areas of decarbonisation, smart buildings, artificial intelligence, robotics, digitalisation, and energy management solutions for districts. The conference programme offers guidance from international experts who provide insights into current market developments and future solutions. Ms Boymanns concludes: "EXPO REAL functions as an ecosystem for real estate, investment, and infrastructure. Through new and established formats, the fair provides orientation on pressing future topics and promotes dialogue among all relevant stakeholders."
