CES 2026: the brand guide
CES is the world's largest consumer technology show and the event that opens the global business year. Every January more than 140,000 people fill Las Vegas to see what is next in AI, robotics, mobility and digital health. It is a tech show on the surface. But it is also where major brands, retailers, media platforms and creators meet to do business. Here is what CES 2026 looks like and whether your brand belongs there.
What it is
CES, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association, has run since 1967 and is the flagship global event for consumer and enterprise technology. CES 2026 spans 13 venues across three campuses, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Venetian and ARIA, with more than 2.6 million net square feet of exhibits. Core themes include AI, robotics, digital health, mobility, energy and immersive entertainment. The C Space campus is dedicated to content, media, advertising and brand partnerships, which is the part most relevant to marketers. Exhibitors range from NVIDIA, Samsung and LG to 1,200+ startups in Eureka Park.
Why brands attend
It sets the technology agenda for the whole year, so you leave knowing what is coming.
The C Space campus is built for media, advertising and brand partnership conversations specifically.
Retailers, media platforms, advertisers and content creators all attend, so it is a dealmaking floor as much as a product show.
Product launches at CES drive a year of press, which is direct competitive intelligence for brand teams.
Who should go
- Consumer-brand marketers tracking where tech and culture are heading.
- Retail and ecommerce teams scouting partnerships and product.
- Media, adtech and platform teams doing business at the C Space campus.
- Brands exploring creator and content partnerships around new tech.
Launching at CES? Reach real audiences
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Start free with KALO IQCES 2026: common questions
When is CES 2026?
CES 2026 runs from 6 to 9 January 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and other venues across Las Vegas, with media preview days starting 4 January.
How much does a CES 2026 pass cost?
Public sources list the Exhibits Plus Pass from about $149 early-bird to $350 standard, plus the Deluxe Conference Pass from about $1,400 to $1,700. CES is trade-only and requires proof of industry affiliation.
How many people attend CES?
CES 2025 drew more than 140,000 attendees from over 150 countries with 4,100+ exhibitors. Official 2026 figures publish after the show, so use the 2025 numbers as a guide to scale.
Is CES useful for marketers, not just tech companies?
Yes. The C Space campus is dedicated to media, advertising, content and brand partnerships. Retailers, platforms and creators all attend too, which makes CES a major brand and marketing event, not only a product show.