GaLaBau 2026 – A trade show driving innovation in the green sector

 With a diverse and practice-oriented supporting program, the international trade fair GaLaBau once again places key future topics of the green industry at the center of attention from September 15 to 18, 2026. Formats such as the Landscape Gardener Cup, the GREEN-BLUE PATH, and the E-Mobility Area specifically address junior talent development, sustainability, and technological innovation, making these themes tangible for trade visitors. In doing so, the “International Leading Trade Fair for Urban Green and Open Spaces” underlines its ambition to provide guidance for the industry and present solutions to current challenges. Around 1,100 exhibitors are expected across 14 exhibition halls and outdoor activity areas.

Landscape Gardener Cup: Young talents compete for the German championship title

A special crowd puller within the GaLaBau supporting program is the Landscape Gardener Cup. The nationwide competition is regarded as one of the most prestigious formats in garden and landscape construction and places the industry’s young professionals in the spotlight. All regional associations send the winners of their respective state competitions to Nuremberg, where they compete against each other at GaLaBau for the title of German Champion in Garden and Landscape Construction.

Over two competition days, the young landscape gardeners work on a demanding practical task that requires both technical skill as well as teamwork and professional excellence. The festive conclusion is the award ceremony in the exhibition park, where the best young teams are honored. With the Landscape Gardener Cup, GaLaBau once again highlights the importance of qualified professionals and at the same time sends a clear signal for the future viability of the entire industry.

Further information in German at: Landscape Gardener Cup | Training Promotion Association for Garden, Landscape and Sports Ground Construction (Ausbildungsförderwerk Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e. V.)

GREEN–BLUE PATH: Sustainable solutions for climate and urban development

Another key component of the supporting program is the GREEN-BLUE PATH. It vividly demonstrates how the green industry actively contributes to climate protection, climate adaptation, and sustainable urban living spaces. Along the path, selected exhibitors present their products, concepts, and solutions that focus, for example, on water management, urban greening, or resource-efficient construction methods.

Participation in the GREEN–BLUE PATH is limited and requires an application process in which companies undergo evaluation by a jury. This ensures the high professional quality of the format. From the organizers’ perspective, the topic of sustainability continues to gain relevance – accordingly, the GREEN–BLUE PATH is considered one of GaLaBau’s key thematic lighthouse formats. Isabel Grundner, Director of GaLaBau, emphasizes: “With the GREEN-BLUE PATH, we make sustainable innovations in garden and landscape construction visible – from resource efficiency and climate adaptation to the promotion of biodiversity. As a special service for visitors, we also offer guided tours where they can learn about the exhibitors’ innovations and solutions – fully in line with the motto ‘Together, climate-ready for the future.’”

Interested exhibitors can apply until May 30, 2026.

For more information, visit the “Green-Blue Path” page on the GaLaBau trade show website.

E-Mobility Area: Experience electric mobility live in action

How innovative drive technologies can be used in everyday work is demonstrated by the E-Mobility Area in GaLaBau’s outdoor area. Moderated by Raoul Helmer, exhibitors present newly developed construction and maintenance machinery as well as municipal vehicles with electric drive systems. Located at the heart of the activity areas, trade visitors can experience and test the performance, efficiency, and application possibilities of e mobility in garden and landscape construction at close range.

Already at the previous edition of the fair, the format attracted strong interest: as part of the GREEN-BLUE PATH, the E-Mobility Area highlighted low-emission technologies and forward-looking machine solutions. On all days of the fair, exhibitors demonstrate their product innovations and clearly show the potential that electric drives offer for the industry.

Industry demonstrates stability in challenging times

GaLaBau’s strong supporting program also reflects the current market situation of garden and landscape construction. Despite economically challenging conditions, the industry continues on a growth path. In 2025, garden and landscape construction recorded a nominal turnover increase of 4.3 percent to a total of €11.11 billion. At the same time, the number of companies nationwide rose to around 19,900, while the number of employees increased to more than 131,700. The industry also shows strength in training: in 2025, the number of apprentices rose slightly again, reaching around 8,100 young professionals.
The current 2025 industry statistics published by the Federal Association of Garden, Landscape and Sports Ground Construction (BGL) thus confirm the sector’s economic stability and underline its growing importance for climate adaptation, quality of life, and sustainable urban development. Accordingly, as the ideational sponsor of GaLaBau, the BGL presents “The Future of Green Living Spaces” with a vibrant, green exhibition stand that breathes and cools: featuring expert lectures by well-known industry specialists at the GaLaBau Expert Forum, which also serves as a platform for competitions and public awards, showcasing innovations, best practices, and new, sustainable industry solutions.

For more information on the 2025 Industry Statistics, please visit the page “2025 Industry Statistics – Landscaping and Construction Sector Maintains Growth Trajectory in Challenging Times.”  (in German).