How to get into SEMA, SEMA 2026 dates, and other questions answered
The 2026 SEMA Show is Tuesday, Nov. 3 to Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 in Las Vegas.
If you’re wondering how to get into the SEMA Show, here are the criteria:
- You must work in the specialty equipment aftermarket. The show isn’t open to the general public.
- You must provide documentation of employment in the industry.
- You don’t have to be a member of SEMA.
Getting into the SEMA Show is a common topic each fall, around the first week of November. It’s not open to the general public. The SEMA Show is a trade-only show. It is only for attendees that work in the trade.
To get into SEMA, you must work in the specialty equipment industry and you need to provide documentation that proves you’re in the industry. This is required if you register online or in person at the SEMA Show.
You don’t need to be a member of the SEMA trade association to attend the SEMA Show.
Note: this website is not affiliated with SEMA or the 2026 SEMA Show, for additional questions you need to contact SEMA directly.
SEMA Show 2026 attendance
The 2026 SEMA Show is expected to bring in in 70,000 buyers to see about 2,250 exhibitors, according to official news reports.
Where is the 2026 SEMA Show this year?
Each year the SEMA Show is in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where it has been held each year since 1977. The lone exception to that of course, was 2020, when it was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
What are SEMA 2026 ticket prices? What do SEMA tickets cost?
These are common questions. SEMA ticket prices don’t exist, because there aren’t “tickets” to enter the show as a member of the industry. As a trade show, qualified attendees must register and pay the registration fee. Qualified registrants receive show credentials, not tickets.
Actual tickets are sold to the public for SEMA Fest (formerly SEMA Ignited). SEMA Fest is outdoors and open to the public. You may see SEMA Fest referred to online as “SEMA car show Las Vegas.” Scroll down for information on SEMA Fest 2026.
There are tickets that gain admission to the SEMA Show, combined with SEMA Fest. That gives non-industry members entrance to the SEMA Show only on Friday, Nov. 6. This SEMA Show/SEMA Fest ticket must be purchased in advance and picked up on-site between 7:30 am and 2:00 pm.
Online registration for the 2026 SEMA Show for buyers is $50 from April 28, 2026 through June 26, 2026. It increases to $75 on June 27, 2026 through Sept. 25. and goes to $100 on Sept. 26, 2026 until registration closes on Friday, Nov. 6 at 2:00 pm. These registration fees are to get an attendee badge. A badge provides access to both the AAPEX show and the SEMA Show for the full duration of each show. The registration fee for financial advisors, non-exhibiting manufacturers, suppliers and vehicle manufacturers is $399.
Note that the AAPEX show is only three days, while the SEMA Show is four days. AAPEX runs Tuesday, Nov. 4 to Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026.
No SEMA Show banquet this year
The annual SEMA Industry Awards Banquet was usually held Thursday evening of the SEMA Show, at 7:00 pm, with a reception at 6:00. The industry awards usually handed out at the banquet are now given at the annual Leaders & Legends Gala held in Newport Beach, California in July.
Tuesday morning before the SEMA Show opens is the annual Kickoff Breakfast.
Is SEMA open to the public? Can anyone go to the SEMA Show?
These are common questions, is SEMA open to the public? Can anyone go? No it is not open to the public except for SEMA Show Friday Experience tickets. Otherwise, it is a trade show open only for qualified attendees who work in the specialty equipment industry.
SEMA Show registration
To register for the SEMA Show 2026 as a first-time attendee, you need to provide proof of employment in the aftermarket industry. The required documentation includes either two pay stubs showing your name, company name and date, or company-issued badge showing your name, title and company name. It also requires a copy of a current tax or business registration certificate, or business license or permit.
This documentation is required to prove your business or your employer is a current and actual automotive aftermarket business. That’s why proof starts with business registration, business certificate or tax ID. Next, you must prove you’re either the current business owner or you’re currently employed by that business.
If your business license shows you’re the business owner, great. That is an accepted method. If you’re employed by a business, you have to provide a business card or a paycheck stub, or a business photo ID, that includes your name and the name of the company. Note that everything has to match the name of the company you are registering under.
You also have to provide a current email address. SEMA prefers a company email address. Also note that all documents you provide must be in English.
Business cards aren’t an accepted form of ID any more.
If you have attended the show previously, you can simply register.
How to go to SEMA
One benefit of registering for the SEMA Show is that once you are registered, future years are much simpler. If you registered and got approved for a previous SEMA Show and you haven’t changed companies, or contact information such as your telephone number, address or email address, you might not need to show proof that you work in the automotive aftermarket industry again.
You don’t qualify to attend the SEMA Show if you’re unemployed, retired, a car club member or simply a car enthusiast. Companies such as accounting firms, freight providers, non-automotive graphics companies, exhibition industry service companies, insurance agents, law firms, modeling agents/agencies, packaging companies, printers, non-automotive software companies and travel agencies also don’t qualify to attend the show.
If you have questions you can contact the SEMA Show staff directly at (909) 396-0289.
SEMA Fest 2026 tickets
Anyone not qualified to attend the show is invited to buy tickets to SEMA Fest 2026. It’s a music and car culture show, open to the general public. SEMA Fest 2026 is Friday evening, November 6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, outdoors in front of the hall. Attendees will see live musical performances.
There are several available types of tickets ranging from $60 for general admission and no SEMA Show access, to $200 including SEMA Show access and VIP concert access.
For more information on registering for and attending this year’s SEMA Show visit SEMAShow.com. To purchase 2026 SEMA Fest tickets visit www.semafest.com.
What should I look forward to seeing at the 2026 SEMA Show?
The SEMA Show is the premier automotive aftermarket industry event. Many of the biggest names in the industry attend. There will be over 2,200 exhibitor booths, plus presentations and demonstrations, and many contacts to meet. To put it simply, if you are looking to grow your business within the automotive aftermarket industry, you should consider attending the 2026 SEMA Show. For a full floor plan of the 2026 show, please check out this link.
Sections organize the show. These include the new West Hall across Paradise Avenue from the main convention center, North Hall, the Central Hall, the South Hall Upper and the South Hall Lower. Below you will find some brief highlights as to what you can expect to find in each of these areas:
West Hall
- Trucks, SUVs and off-road
- Restyling and car care accessories
- Powersports, side by sides and outdoor/off-road lifestyle
North Hall
- Restyling and trucks
- Business services
- Mobile electronics & technology
Central Hall
- Racing and performance
- Hot Rod Alley
- Restoration Marketplace
South Hall Upper
- Tools and equipment
- Collision repair and refinishing
South Hall Lower
- Global Tire Expo
- Wheels and accessories
- Collision and tools
Skybridge (between Central and South Halls)
- Various displays
Second level (over the lobby between the Central and North Halls)
- Meetings
- SEMA Member Lounge
- Various displays
2026 SEMA Show hours and dates
SEMA exhibit hours:
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Thursday, November 5, 2026 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Friday, November 6, 2026 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
SEMA on-site registration hours:
- Thursday, October 29, 8:00 am -5:00 pm for exhibitors only
- Friday, October 30, 8:00 am -5:00 pm for exhibitors only
- Saturday, October 31, 8:00 am -5:00 pm for exhibitors only
- Sunday, November 1, 8:00 am -5:00 pm
- Monday, November 2, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday, November 3, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday, November 5, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday, November 6, 7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Future dates for the SEMA Show
- SEMA Show 2027: November 2-5
- SEMA Show 2028: October 31-November 3
- SEMA Show 2029: October 30-November 2
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the SEMA Show held?
A: The SEMA Show takes place annually at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. This premier event draws automotive professionals and enthusiasts from around the globe.
Q: Is the SEMA Show open to the public?
A: No, the SEMA Show is a trade-only event. It is open exclusively to qualified industry professionals, including buyers, exhibitors, and media representatives. The general public is not permitted entry, except on Friday, Nov. 6 with a ticket purchased in advance that includes the SEMA Show and SEMA Fest.
Q: When is the SEMA Show in 2026?
A: The SEMA Show 2026 is scheduled for November 3–6, 2026.
Q: How much are tickets for the SEMA Show 2026?
A: The registration fee for SEMA 2026 is $50 from April 28 to June 26; $75 from June 27 to Sept. 25; and $100 from Sept. 26, 2026 to Friday, Nov. 6 at 2:00 pm. The registration fee for financial advisors, non-exhibiting manufacturers, suppliers and vehicle manufacturers is $399.
Q: How can I attend the SEMA Show as an industry professional?
A: To attend the SEMA Show, you must register as a qualified industry professional and provide proof of employment in the aftermarket industry. The required documentation includes either two pay stubs showing your name, company name and date, or company-issued badge showing your name, title and company name. It also requires a copy of a current tax or business registration certificate, or business license or permit. Early registration is recommended for discounted pricing.
I own a mobile detailing company out of Pueblo co suds elite Detailers llc does this qualify and can I bring my fiance
Hi Eric,
An automotive business like that sounds like it might qualify but please visit semashow.com for registration information and qualifications. This site is not affiliated with the SEMA Show. Thanks for your comment!
Que no podemos registrarnos ” me podria mandar
Por favor, visite semashow.com para registrarse.
Please visit semashow.com for registration information. This site is not affiliated with the SEMA Show.
Hello,
I work for the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco and I was wondering if I would be able to register and go to the show. We build our own vehicles in house and would like to see new products
Hi Richard, thanks for your SEMA Show question. You would need to contact SEMA Show management for that. Call them at (909) 396-0289.
I work for the auto industry can I bring a spouse and teen if they are not in the industry?
Hi Randy, thanks for stopping by. According to SEMAShow.com you’re able to bring a legal spouse, but you can’t register other guests. When you register you can add a spouse on the registration summary page by clicking on “ADD SPOUSE.” When you register, SEMA requires you to also upload documents to prove your marital status. Under these requirements your teen wouldn’t be allowed to attend. You can get more details by calling SEMA Show management at (909) 396-0289.
Hi there. I’ve registered but have not received a verification email. We’ve been attending for many years. Could someone contact me? A*****3@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance
Hi John, thanks for leaving a comment. You would need to contact SEMA Show management for that. Call them at (909) 396-0289. We have hidden your email address so you don’t start receiving spam emails.
Love the Sema show.
I’m bighue225 I’m a strong follower of sema and want to continue with Sema and I wanted to be a production member of the show’s
do you have to have a website to register
Hi, I’m trying to get tickets but no one has them if you can help that would be awesome thank you.
Hi Miguel, there are no “tickets” to the SEMA Show, you would need to register if you qualify to attend and pay a fee. You can go to this link to see if you qualify to attend the SEMA Show:
https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/AttendeeRegControlServlet
That page lists documents you need to provide with your registration.
I am a US Air Force Vehicle Maintenance Shop Superintendent, working on Multiple Specialized Equipment how do I register a few of my my Mechanics to attend this years Show?
Hi Jesse, thank you for your service.
You can go to this link to see if you or your mechanics qualify to attend the SEMA Show:
https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/AttendeeRegControlServlet
That page lists documents you need to provide with your registration.