DMEXCO 2027 – Cologne, Germany

What to expect

DMEXCO 2027 is Europe’s leading digital marketing and tech event and the central meeting place for industry leaders, marketing and media professionals, and tech pioneers to set the digital agenda. The event is organized by Koelnmesse GmbH in partnership with BVDW, the German Association for the Digital Economy, and OVK, the Circle of Online Marketers.

Visitors can expect a massive showcase with more than 700 partner companies in 2026, over 1,000 speakers and around 40,000 visitors live in Cologne and online. The previous edition occupied 10 percent more space than the edition before, underlining continuous growth. With 800 exhibitors, 60,000 sqm of exhibition space, 400 speakers and 250 plus hours of conference programme in peak years, it is a beast of an event by any measure.

The concept is built around four DMEXCO Worlds: World of Agencies, World of Commerce, World of Media and World of Tech, plus the dedicated Startup Valley. The conference features 17 stages, summits and masterclasses with a clear focus on digital trends and future business opportunities. Topics span AI in marketing, retail media, creativity, AdTech, MarTech, e-commerce and the future of media.

For attendees, DMEXCO offers pre-confirmed meetings, lead generation and high-quality networking without passing trade. One third of participants are C-suite executives, making it highly qualified. Expect two days full of inspiration, networking and business with digital admission tickets issued exclusively in the ticket wallet of the DMEXCO app.

Event dates

Event Name: DMEXCO 2027 – Cologne, Germany
Official Website: https://dmexco.com/
Contact Email: info@dmexco.com
Venue: Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne, Germany
Event Dates: September 22–23, 2027
Event Format: Live in Cologne plus online access, digital tickets only via DMEXCO app
Cycle: Annual, since 2009
Organizer: Koelnmesse GmbH, Contact +49 221 821 2020
Exhibition Halls: Halls 6 – 8 and Congress Centre North
Entry via: Entrance South and Entrance North

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & event site

The venue for DMEXCO 2027 is Koelnmesse, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne, Germany, one of the largest trade fair venues in the world and easily accessible by car, train or plane. Koelnmesse is quickly and directly accessible from the highway, with ten motorways linked with the motorway ring around Cologne, leading directly to the fair grounds without being held up by crossroads or traffic lights.

The exhibition occupies Halls 6, 7 and 8 alongside Congress Centre North, plus Level 2, Level 1 and Level 0 areas for VIP Lounge, Press Center and boulevard. The site plan includes Entrance North, Entrance South, Entrance East and Piazza areas. The venue offers high-speed W-LAN, business centers, press centers and catering throughout.

For DMEXCO, Hall 6 hosts World of Tech, Hall 7 hosts World of E-Commerce and Commerce Lounge, Hall 8 hosts World of Media and World of Agencies. The Startup Area StartupValley with Start-up of the Year Award and brand-new Innovation Stage is located in Hall 7. The exhibition centre also includes Hall 5.1, Hall 5.2, Hall 9 and Hall 11.1 for supporting functions.

Full technology programme

The full technology programme at DMEXCO 2027 features over 250 hours of content across 17 stages, with summits, debates and informational masterclasses to shape the future of the digital economy and market values.

Core summits and stages include:

• DMEXCO Thought Leaders Summit: Leading minds and groundbreaking topics of the digital business live.
• DMEXCO CMO Summit – powered by Digiday and W&V: Bosses’ matter bringing together leading marketing decision-makers from across the world.
• DMEXCO Commerce Summit in partnership with Shopify: Focus on e-commerce platform teams and retail media buyers.
• DMEXCO Creativity Summit – curated by DDA and empowered by Kantar: Inspiration for creative agencies and brands.
• DMEXCO AdTech Summit and MarTech Summit – system intelligence for modern marketing: Deep dives into programmatic, data and automation.
• DMEXCO Retail Media Summit powered by BVDW: Future of retail media and onsite monetization.
• Corporate Influencer Summit – co-curated by The People Branding Company and NXTGEN Agency Summit: New formats for influencer and next-gen agency leadership.

Additional formats include Creators Summit supported by Social Match and VideoDays Festival, Future TV stage with official partner Screenforce, and Leadership Lab and CMO Lounge experiences.

Key speakers & industry leaders

DMEXCO brings together leading specialists, influencers and experts at the Congress Stage where future trends emerge. Around 1,000 speakers rotate through stages in the two-day event.

Speakers in recent editions have included C-level executives from Microsoft Advertising, Google, MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group, Amazon Germany, Acxiom, Shopware, IBM iX DACH, Akeneo and Adobe. Other names regularly encountered include Gali Arnon, Birk Angermann and international leaders from agencies, media and tech.

For 2026, more than 1,000 speakers are listed, including one third C-suite executives, plus 700 partners. The lineup covers CMOs, CTOs, founders and innovators from 40 different countries, with exhibitors representing global brands. The programme also features a jury of marketing executives who named The Return of Experience the most important trend for the following year after a year dominated by AI.

Technology sectors & themes

DMEXCO covers the entire digital value chain and is organized into four Worlds that define the expo structure.

Key sectors and themes:

• World of Tech Hall 6: AdTech, MarTech, AI in marketing friend or foe, system intelligence, data clean rooms, identity solutions, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity for marketing.
• World of Commerce Hall 7: E-Commerce platforms, World of E-Commerce, retail media, marketplace solutions, payment, logistics, shop systems, commerce lounge networking sessions.
• World of Media Hall 8: Future TV, publisher models, video, audio, DOOH, programmatic media, attention measurement, sustainability in media.
• World of Agencies Hall 8: Creative agencies, media agencies hawking services, consulting, corporate influencer strategies, NXTGEN agency leadership.
• Cross-cutting themes: Artificial intelligence revolutionising marketing, creativity and innovations to enable successful business, sustainability, diversity, digital ethics, experience economy.

Exhibitors represent more than 2,000 brands from 15 countries, ranging from emerging start-ups to global players.

Sessions, talks & presentations

Sessions, talks and presentations at DMEXCO are designed to foster creativity and innovations and provide impetus for new ideas.

The comprehensive DMEXCO conference schedule includes keynotes, debates, fireside chats and masterclasses. With 250 plus hours of conference program, attendees can build a personalized agenda via the DMEXCO app with individual agenda planning, badge scanning and VOD library.

Formats include 25-minute keynotes, panel discussions with top speakers, case studies from brands like mobile.de, Pimcore, Scala, Taboola and Visoon, plus Screenforce programme on Future TV stage.

All presentations are held in Congress Centre North and on stages within Halls 6 to 8, with live streaming available for select sessions.

Workshops & demonstrations

Workshops and demonstrations at DMEXCO provide hands-on learning beyond the main stages.

Workshop formats include:

• Masterclasses: Hosted by partners in dedicated masterclass rooms, covering practical topics such as retail media activation, first-party data strategies and AI-driven personalization.
• Leadership Labs: VIP Masterclass Leadership Lab in CMO Lounge with limited capacity.
• Innovation Stage in Hall 7: Start-up pitches, Start-up of the Year Award, live product demos from emerging companies.
• Commerce Lounge Networking Sessions: Facilitated networking for e-commerce and retail media professionals.
• Interactive Experiences: Pop-up photo studio with Raimar von Wienskowski, live ice roll experience, digital hall plan demonstrations via DMEXCO app.

Online participation for some formats is free of charge, with access data available via the official website.

Ticket types & registration

Tickets for DMEXCO are issued only as digital admission tickets in the ticket wallet of the DMEXCO app. It is necessary to buy your ticket or redeem your voucher code in advance, register in the ticket shop and create a Koelnmesse account, then download the DMEXCO app available in App Store or Play Store and login with same email.

Based on official listings for 2024, 2025 and 2026, pricing in USD converted from Euro is as follows. Regular ticket price for two days was 219 Euro in 2024 and season ticket 279 Euro in 2025. All prices exclude VAT where applicable.

• Season Ticket – Valid for entire duration: USD 303.00. Based on EUR 279 regular price. Early Bird Admission from USD 108.00 onwards when booked before mid-July.
• Regular Two-Day Ticket: USD 238.00. Based on EUR 219 for two days.
• Young Leader Ticket – Valid for young talents up to and including age 26: USD 64.00. Based on EUR 59.
• Student and Trainee Full-Time Ticket: USD 32.00. Based on EUR 29 in 2024 and EUR 30 in 2025.
• Early Bird Admission: USD 108.00. Available only until July 15 for following year.

Ninety percent of trade visitors buy tickets online. Box office sales are not available; only digital tickets are issued. Your ticket will be automatically displayed in the ticket wallet after purchase.

Startup & investor opportunities

Startup and investor opportunities at DMEXCO are centered in StartupValley in Hall 7, one of the most visible areas for emerging companies.

The area includes the Start-up of the Year Award, Innovation Stage for pitches, and dedicated meeting zones for investors and founders. Start-ups benefit from low-cost exhibition packages, matchmaking with over 40,000 professionals and exposure to C-level decision makers.

Investors can discover pre-screened start-ups across AdTech, MarTech, CommerceTech and MediaTech, with curated tours and office hours. The NXTGEN Agency Summit and Commerce Summit provide additional touchpoints for funding discussions.

Exhibitor information and rebooking lounge for following year is located in Hall 8, where you can secure preferred location.

Exhibitors & technology companies

DMEXCO features a diverse support programme with 700 plus exhibitors from 15 countries representing more than 2,000 brands in 2026 edition, and 850 international speakers and 680 exhibitors in recent contracted edition.

Exhibitor categories:

• Tech providers: Google, Adobe, Spotify, Microsoft Advertising, Acxiom, IBM iX, Akeneo, Taboola, Scala, Pimcore.
• Commerce platforms: Shopify, Shopware, Amazon Germany, MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group.
• Agencies: Global agency networks, independent creative agencies, media agencies, NXTGEN agencies empowered by awork, Weischer.JvB, Brainsuite.
• Media and publishers: Screenforce as official partner with own programme and expo area on Future TV stage, broadcasters, digital publishers, retail media networks.

Companies range from emerging start-ups to global players, all showcasing latest trends and technologies to find right partners for business.

Networking & business meetings

Networking is a DMEXCO hallmark, with extensive opportunities for pre-confirmed meetings and spontaneous connections.

The DMEXCO app offers networking features including badge scanning, individual agenda planning, digital hall plan and VOD library. Attendees can search exhibitor database before the fair and set up meetings.

Dedicated lounges include CMO Lounge with VIP Masterclass Leadership Lab, Commerce Lounge with networking sessions, C-Level Lounge hosted by The Nunatak Group, and DMEXCO Café in Hall 8 for World of Media and World of Agencies.

With 40,000 participants including over 700 exhibitors and 1,000 speakers, the event has a strong international character. Cologne requires effort to travel to, which means DMEXCO does not suffer from passing trade and attendance is well qualified.

Event rules & visitor information

To ensure smooth experience, following rules apply for DMEXCO 2027.

• Digital tickets only: Only digital admission tickets will be issued. Ticket is personalized and non-transferable, must be presented in DMEXCO app at entrance.
• Opening hours: First day from 9:00 AM until 6:30 PM, second day from 9:00 AM until 5:30 PM. Entry via Entrance South and Entrance North, Halls 6 to 8 and Congress Centre North.
• Public transport ticket: In addition to admission ticket, you will receive public transport ticket in separate email. Print PDF in A4 and bring it, valid for travel to and from Koelnmesse over period of fair in VRS network of Rhine-Sieg transport system, 2nd class, valid with photo ID and admission ticket.
• Photography and recording: Commercial photography requires press accreditation.
• App requirement: Download DMEXCO app for ticket wallet, networking, hall plan and VOD.

For questions, team available at +49 221 821 2020 and info@dmexco.com.

How to get there

Koelnmesse can be quickly reached by trains from many cities in Germany and abroad. Köln Messe/Deutz station for high-speed trains is located directly next to exhibition grounds.

By train: Deutsche Bahn Special offers attractive prices from EUR 16.19 with flexible combination and sustainability guaranteed with 100 percent renewable power. Use time effectively to work or relax. Book via bahn.de/eventangebote.

By local public transport: Entrance South via suburban train stop Köln Messe/Deutz numbers S6, S11, S12, S13 and tram and underground stop Köln Messe/Deutz Underground numbers 1 and 9. Entrances East, West, North via tram and underground stop numbers 3 and 4.

By car: Koelnmesse is quickly and directly accessible from highway. Ten motorways linked with motorway ring around Cologne lead directly to fair grounds without crossroads or traffic lights. Use NUNAV Navigation via Koelnmesse app.

By airplane: Cologne-Bonn Airport makes Koelnmesse easy and convenient to reach by air from all of Europe’s major cities. Special Lufthansa Group airlines fares via Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings with reduced fares automatically displayed. Enable pop-ups permanently while booking.

Visa support for trade fair participants from countries whose citizens require visa for travelling to Germany is available via official letter of invitation from Koelnmesse.

Public transport & parking

Public transport ticket is included separately via email as PDF, valid for VRS rail network. Exempted are Deutsche Bahn AG trains subject to supplementary charge such as IC, EC or ICE trains.

Public transport stops within walking distance:

• Entrance South: Suburban train S6, S11, S12, S13 and tram underground 1 and 9
• Entrances East, West, North: Tram and underground 3 and 4

Parking: Ten motorways linked to ring, parking garages P1 to P10 around Koelnmesse, limited capacity. Recommend public transport due to high visitor numbers. Koelnmesse app provides NUNAV navigation for smart parking.

Tram station Koelnmesse Lines 3 and 4 at East Entrance and train stations Köln Hauptbahnhof and Köln Messe/Deutz with tram lines 1 and 9 at Bf Deutz/Messe/Lanxess Arena are primary hubs.

Accommodation areas

Book a hotel room in one of 180 partner hotels via hotel booking portal. Benefit from attractive reserved allotments until July 20 of previous year, rooms still available after at daily rates depending on availability. Up to five rooms can be booked directly online, larger groups via request form.

Recommended areas:

• Deutz and Messe vicinity: Directly adjacent to Koelnmesse, 5 to 15 minutes walk to Entrance South. Business hotels and modern apartments ideal for early meetings.
• City Center / Altstadt: Historic center with Cologne Cathedral, numerous Romanesque churches, historical Town Hall, museums, parks and gardens. 10 minutes via tram lines 1 and 9.
• Ehrenfeld and Belgisches Viertel: Trendy districts with boutique hotels, creative scene, close to Entrance North via lines 3 and 4.
• Airport area Cologne-Bonn: Convenient for international travelers with direct S-Bahn connection.

Viva Colonia offers attractive supporting program for every trade fair visit with cultural highlights.

Accessibility

Koelnmesse is fully accessible for visitors with mobility impairments, offering step-free access to Halls 6 to 8 and Congress Centre North via lifts and ramps, accessible toilets on all levels, reserved parking close to entrances and wheelchair rental on request.

For visitors with hearing or visual impairments, guided tours and assistance services can be requested in advance via info@dmexco.com. All entrances have tactile guidance systems and induction loops in congress halls.

The DMEXCO app offers accessible navigation with digital hall plan and text-to-speech for program information.

Previous year’s highlights

Previous year’s highlights show DMEXCO 2026 featured around 40,000 visitors, around 700 partner companies and over 1,000 speakers live in Cologne and online, occupying 10 percent more space than previous edition.

Key themes were energy, optimism and real desire to drive change, with focus on AI meets real life, return of experience as most important trend after year dominated by AI. The event featured 17 stages, summits including Thought Leaders Summit, CMO Summit, Commerce Summit, Creators Summit, Creativity Summit, AdTech Summit, MarTech Summit, Retail Media Summit and Corporate Influencer Summit.

Exhibitors included major tech vendors and media agencies, with 800 exhibitors and 60,000 sqm in peak years. Contract extended for DMEXCO to remain in Cologne long term, with Koelnmesse CEO and BVDW president signing deal.

Official registration & tickets

Official registration and tickets are only available via official website https://dmexco.com/ and official ticket shop linked there. Plan your visit section provides Create your unique DMEXCO experience information.

Process is: get your ticket via registration in ticket shop and create Koelnmesse account, buy ticket or redeem digital voucher code, download DMEXCO app from App Store or Play Store, login with same email, ticket automatically displayed in ticket wallet, access granted on presenting admission ticket in app.

For any questions left, team happy to assist at +49 221 821 2020 and info@dmexco.com. Subscribe to newsletter to receive information about ticket launch and conference program.