Cersaie 2026. Photo credit: Cersaie

The 43rd edition of Cersaie was held at the Bologna Exhibition Centre from September 21 to 25, 2026, and occupied all 16 halls, covering a total of 145,000 square metres.

The show hosted 595 exhibitors including 314 ceramic tile companies, 96 bathroom furnishing companies and 185 businesses from related sectors including installation, raw materials, new surfaces and services. Its international profile remained strong, with 233 overseas exhibitors from 24 countries.

Cersaie welcomed a total of 92,352 visitors over five days, which was 2.4 per cent fewer than in 2025. Italian attendance fell by 3.7 per cent, from 49,671 to 47,852, while international visitor numbers remained broadly stable at 44,500 compared with 44,906 the previous year. Overseas visitors accounted for 48.2 per cent of total attendance.

Cersaie 2026. Photo credit: Cersaie

“At a difficult time for both the economy and international trade, maintaining Cersaie’s position is an important result,” said Gianpiero Calzolari, chairman of BolognaFiere. “Once again, the show succeeded in bringing companies and industry professionals from around the world to Bologna. That is precisely the role of a trade fair: to give companies access to markets, business relationships and new growth opportunities, particularly in challenging times. Cersaie also plays a role that goes well beyond business. It is an international reference point for design and architecture, where innovation, excellence and beauty showcase the value of Made in Italy.”

At the inaugural conference entitled Sustainable Energy and Competitiveness, Ministers Tommaso Foti and Adolfo Urso, Emilia-Romagna regional president Michele De Pascale, ENI CEO Claudio Descalzi, Confindustria chairman Emanuele Orsini and Augusto Ciarrocchi warned that escalating energy and ETS allowance costs are putting investment and international competitiveness under increasing pressure. They argued that current cost levels are making it increasingly difficult for ceramic companies to sustain the investment required to remain competitive.

Alejandro Aravena. Cersaie 2026. Photo credit: Cersaie

More than 800 people attended the keynote lectures given by Alejandro Aravena and Annabelle Selldorf, while dozens of moderators and speakers took part in the Press Cafés.

The show was covered by 684 journalists, including 284 from outside Italy, who reported on Cersaie in print and digital publications around the world. Special attention was also devoted to younger generations. Thursday’s Career Day created contact between companies and recent graduates and final-year university students, while large numbers of secondary school students took part in the Lesson in Reverse.

The next edition of Cersaie will be held in Bologna from September 27 to October 1, 2027.

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