SEMA Show Las Vegas 2026: Dates, Tickets, and What to Do After the Show
Las Vegas hosts plenty of conventions, but few take over the city quite like the SEMA Show.
For four days, the Las Vegas Convention Center fills with custom cars, trucks, performance parts, new automotive technology, major aftermarket brands, builders, buyers, media, and some of the most ambitious vehicle builds you'll see anywhere.
The 2026 SEMA Show runs November 3–6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event brings together more than 153,000 industry professionals and 2,300 exhibiting companies, making it one of the biggest automotive industry gatherings of the year.
If you're coming to Las Vegas for SEMA, there's a lot more to plan than simply getting through the convention center doors. Here's what to know about attending the show, getting around Las Vegas, and what to do once the show floor closes.
Why the SEMA Show Is Different
SEMA isn't a traditional auto show - though you’ll see plenty of cars.
The event is built primarily around the automotive aftermarket industry, bringing together manufacturers, distributors, retailers, builders, media, buyers, and other automotive professionals.
The show covers everything from performance products and wheels and tires to trucks, off-road equipment, tools, accessories, racing technology, powersports, and emerging automotive technology.
For 2026, SEMA lists more than 2,300 exhibiting companies, 153,000+ industry professionals, and 90+ free education sessions.
Then there are the vehicles themselves.
SEMA is known for elaborate custom builds ranging from restored classics and supercars to lifted trucks, race cars, off-road rigs, and vehicles built specifically to debut at the show.
Even if you work in the automotive industry every day, seeing everything in one trip is nearly impossible.
SEMA Show 2026 Dates and Hours
The 2026 SEMA Show takes place November 3–6, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Official show hours are:
Tuesday, November 3: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Wednesday, November 4: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Thursday, November 5: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Friday, November 6: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Las Vegas Convention Center is located just east of the Las Vegas Strip.
Don't underestimate the size of the show. You're dealing with multiple massive convention halls and thousands of exhibitors. Check the exhibitor directory and floorplan before arriving rather than trying to wander the entire show without a plan.
Can Anyone Attend SEMA?
For most of the week, SEMA is primarily an industry trade show rather than a conventional consumer auto show.
Professional attendees should register through the official SEMA Show website and review the current qualification requirements before booking their trip.
There is one major exception for 2026.
Friday, November 6 is SEMA Show Friday, with public-access passes available to automotive enthusiasts. SEMA also offers combination tickets that include Friday access to the SEMA Show and admission to SEMA Fest.
That makes Friday the easiest option for someone who wants to experience SEMA but doesn't qualify for a regular industry badge.
What to Expect to See at SEMA
The biggest mistake first-time visitors make is assuming SEMA is mainly a giant room filled with customized cars.
The cars are certainly a major attraction, but the show is ultimately about the automotive aftermarket business.
Expect to see new performance products, wheels and tires, suspension systems, tools and equipment, collision-repair products, electronics, detailing products, truck and off-road equipment, racing technology, powersports products, accessories, and emerging automotive technology.
There are also product launches, demonstrations, educational sessions, builder appearances, and networking events throughout the week.
And, of course, there are thousands of customized vehicles scattered throughout the convention center and surrounding displays.
And you’ll see, smell, and hear plenty of burning rubber outside of the venue.
Plan Your Show Before You Arrive
Trying to see SEMA without a plan is a good way to walk several miles and somehow still miss what you came to see.
Before arriving, use SEMA's floorplan and exhibitor search to identify the companies, products, vehicles, and sections you actually care about.
If you're attending for business, schedule important meetings before arriving rather than assuming you'll simply run into everyone on the show floor.
Comfortable shoes aren't optional.
Neither is leaving yourself more time than you think you'll need to get from one side of the show to another.
SEMA Fest 2026
The party doesn’t end when the exhibition halls close.
SEMA Fest takes place Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center and serves as the public-facing finale of SEMA Week.
The event combines car culture, motorsports demonstrations, automotive displays, and live music.
The announced 2026 musical lineup includes:
The Offspring
Jimmy Eat World
311
The Alive
SEMA also offers a SEMA Show Friday x SEMA Fest ticket bundle, allowing non-industry attendees to access the SEMA Show on Friday before heading into SEMA Fest.
Don't Spend the Entire Trip at the Convention Center
SEMA can easily consume four straight days, but you're still in Las Vegas.
Once the show closes, you're only minutes from the Strip, Downtown Las Vegas, the Arts District, restaurants, casinos, shows, and nightlife.
If you have an extra day, Red Rock Canyon provides a completely different side of Las Vegas and a welcome change after several days inside a convention center.
The better approach is to decide what you absolutely need to see at SEMA before arriving, then leave some room in your schedule for the city itself.
Plan for SEMA Week Traffic
SEMA brings a huge number of visitors into an already busy section of Las Vegas.
For 2026, SEMA is specifically encouraging attendees to use its hotel shuttles and the Las Vegas Monorail because parking at the Las Vegas Convention Center will be affected by construction.
Free SEMA shuttle service is scheduled between the convention center and more than 45 hotels, while discounted Monorail tickets and extended operating hours are available for show attendees.
There are also designated rideshare and taxi pickup areas around the convention center.
Whatever transportation method you choose, don't schedule yourself so tightly that a traffic delay makes you late for an important meeting, dinner reservation, or flight.
Final Thoughts
SEMA is one of those Las Vegas events where four days can still feel too short.
Between more than 2,300 exhibitors, thousands of products and custom vehicles, demonstrations, educational sessions, networking events, and SEMA Fest, there's far more happening than most visitors can realistically cover.
The trip works best when you decide what matters before arriving. Build a list of must-see exhibitors, leave room for unexpected finds, wear comfortable shoes, and don't forget that there's an entire city waiting outside the convention center.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is SEMA 2026?
The 2026 SEMA Show takes place November 3–6, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
What are the SEMA Show hours?
The show runs 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday and 9:00 AM–4:00 PM Friday.
Where is SEMA held?
SEMA is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Is SEMA open to the public?
SEMA is primarily an automotive industry trade show. However, SEMA Show Friday on November 6 offers public access, including combination tickets providing admission to both the Friday show floor and SEMA Fest.
How big is the SEMA Show?
SEMA lists 153,000+ industry professionals, 2,300+ exhibiting companies, and 90+ free education sessions for the 2026 event.
When is SEMA Fest 2026?
SEMA Fest takes place Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Who is performing at SEMA Fest 2026?
The announced lineup features The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World, 311, and The Alive.
