25 Jun Don’t Miss Paris Audio Video Show 2026: Dates, Tickets and Must-See Exhibitors
Every October, the biggest names in sound and screen technology gather under one roof in Paris. Engineers fly in from across Europe to demonstrate gear most people never get to touch, let alone hear in person. For four days, the Palais des Congrès transforms into a playground for anyone who loves music, film, gaming, or performance technology. This year’s edition is shaping up to be one of the largest yet, and missing it would mean missing a genuinely rare opportunity.
Here is everything you need to know to plan your visit, including which exhibitors deserve a spot on your must-see list.
Key Dates and Venue Details
The 2026 edition runs from October 23 to 26 at the Palais des Congrès de Paris, located at Porte Maillot in the 17th arrondissement. The venue sits directly above its own metro station on line 1, making it one of the easiest major event spaces in the city to reach.
This event has grown steadily since its origins as the Festival Son & Image, and recent editions have welcomed more than 32,000 visitors across the weekend. Attendance climbs every year, so arriving early on any given day is a smart strategy if you want breathing room in the busier listening rooms.
The show typically reserves its final day, a Monday, exclusively for industry professionals, retailers, and press. General visitors should plan their trip around the public days that precede it.
How Big Is the Show in 2026?
Scale is one of the defining features of this event. Recent editions have welcomed more than 200 exhibitors and over 600 brands, spread across multiple exhibition halls covering more than 12,000 square meters. That kind of footprint puts it firmly among the largest events of its kind in Europe.
Therefore, walking in without a plan can be overwhelming. Visitors will find dedicated areas organized by category, including hi-fi, home cinema, music and instruments, DJ equipment, and stage lighting. Knowing which zone matches your interest before you arrive will save you time and help you focus on the brands that matter most to you.
Ticket Prices and Smart Ways to Save
Getting into the show does not require a large budget. Two-day tickets are typically priced around 10 euros at full rate, with a reduced rate of 8 euros for students, jobseekers, and people with disabilities upon presentation of valid proof.
Buying online ahead of time is the better choice. Presale tickets are generally cheaper than tickets bought at the door, and securing yours in advance also means skipping any entry queues on the day. If you wait until you arrive, expect a higher price, particularly for the standard rate.
Additionally, many ticket holders combine their visit with hotel bookings near Porte Maillot, since the surrounding 17th arrondissement offers a range of accommodation options within easy reach of the venue by metro line 1 or nearby RER and bus connections.
Must-See Exhibitors and Brands
With hundreds of brands on the floor, narrowing your list ahead of time makes a real difference. The following names have consistently drawn crowds at recent editions and are worth prioritizing during your visit.
Klipsch
Klipsch made headlines at a recent edition with its Real Custom Cinema, a private home theater concept that was presented for the first time in France. This kind of immersive demonstration captures exactly what makes attending in person so valuable. Photos and specifications online simply cannot replicate the feeling of sitting inside a fully tuned cinema room.
Focal
As one of France’s most respected loudspeaker manufacturers, Focal regularly draws large crowds to its listening sessions. The brand is known for combining French engineering with reference-grade sound quality, and its demonstration rooms are often among the most carefully tuned on the entire show floor.
Devialet
Devialet has built a strong reputation for sleek, high-performance amplifiers and speaker systems. Visitors interested in modern, design-forward audio equipment should make time to see how the brand blends engineering with style.
Denon and Marantz
These two long-established names in home audio and home cinema consistently bring flagship receivers and full home theater setups to the show. For visitors planning a home cinema upgrade, comparing their systems side by side in person is far more useful than reading specification sheets online.
McIntosh
Recognized instantly by its signature blue meters, McIntosh represents the higher end of the home audio world. Demonstrations from this brand tend to attract serious audiophiles who want to hear what true reference-level amplification sounds like.
Fender and Gibson
For musicians attending the show, the presence of legendary instrument brands like Fender and Gibson adds an entirely different dimension to the event. These exhibitors typically combine product displays with live demonstrations, giving visitors a chance to see instruments played by skilled musicians rather than simply viewed on a stand.
JBL and Technics
Both brands maintain a strong presence across DJ equipment and consumer audio categories. JBL in particular tends to anchor much of the show’s louder, more performance-oriented demonstration areas, making it a key stop for anyone interested in DJ setups or portable sound systems.
Cabasse and Elipson
These French loudspeaker manufacturers consistently bring innovative designs to the floor, often showcasing distinctive cabinet shapes and materials alongside their acoustic engineering. Visitors who appreciate audio equipment as much for its design as its sound will want to include both brands on their walking route.
However, it is worth remembering that the full exhibitor list for 2026 continues to be updated on the official show website as the event approaches. Checking the latest list shortly before your visit ensures you do not miss any newly confirmed names.
Beyond the Booths: Demonstrations and Live Experiences
What separates this event from a typical retail showroom is the depth of the demonstrations on offer. Exhibitors frequently host live listening sessions hosted directly by the engineers who built the equipment. This gives attendees a genuine opportunity to ask detailed technical questions and understand the reasoning behind specific design choices.
Additionally, the show has featured live concert events and artist showcases in recent years, including notable involvement from composer Eric Serra as an event ambassador. These kinds of performances add an energy to the show floor that goes beyond simple product display, turning the visit into something closer to a festival experience for music lovers.
Gaming and immersive technology have also become a growing focus. Low-latency displays, spatial audio setups, and advanced lighting rigs increasingly appeal to gamers and content creators, not just traditional audiophiles. This broadening of scope reflects how closely connected home entertainment, gaming, and live performance have become.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
A show of this size rewards visitors who plan ahead. The following tips will help you make the most of your time on the floor.
- Buy tickets online in advance to secure the better presale price and avoid entry queues.
- Identify two or three must-see brands before you arrive, then build your route around them.
- Arrive early in the day, particularly on weekends, since popular demonstration rooms can fill up quickly.
- Wear comfortable shoes. With multiple exhibition halls covering thousands of square meters, you will be walking for most of the day.
- Bring earplugs if you are sensitive to volume, especially near DJ and home cinema demonstration areas.
- Take notes or photos of specific models and prices, since the sheer number of exhibitors makes it easy to lose track of details by the end of the day.
- Speak directly with brand engineers whenever possible. Their insight is often more valuable than any product brochure.
Getting There and Where to Stay
The Palais des Congrès sits directly above the Porte Maillot metro station on line 1, making travel within Paris simple and fast. Several RER and bus lines also serve the area, giving visitors from outside the city plenty of flexible transport options.
If you are visiting from outside Paris, booking accommodation near Porte Maillot or anywhere along metro line 1 is the most practical choice. The 17th arrondissement tends to be quieter than central Paris, which can be a welcome change of pace after a long day surrounded by sound and lights on the show floor.
Conclusion
The 2026 edition of this major audio and visual technology event promises four packed days at the Palais des Congrès de Paris from October 23 to 26. With more than 200 exhibitors and hundreds of brands expected across hi-fi, home cinema, music, DJ, and lighting categories, this is one of the largest events of its kind in Europe. Affordable tickets, especially when purchased online in advance, make attendance accessible to a wide range of visitors. Must-see exhibitors like Klipsch, Focal, Devialet, Denon, Marantz, McIntosh, Fender, Gibson, JBL, and Technics consistently deliver some of the most memorable demonstrations on the floor. Therefore, with a little planning, including identifying your priority brands and arriving early, this is an event that rewards every visitor who walks through its doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where does the 2026 event take place?
The event runs from October 23 to 26, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès de Paris, located at Porte Maillot in the 17th arrondissement. The venue is directly served by metro line 1.
How much do tickets cost?
Two-day tickets are typically priced around 10 euros at full rate, with a reduced rate of 8 euros for students, jobseekers, and people with disabilities. Buying online in advance offers the best pricing compared to purchasing at the door.
Which exhibitors and brands should I prioritize during my visit?
Brands frequently named among the most popular include Klipsch, Focal, Devialet, Denon, Marantz, McIntosh, Fender, Gibson, JBL, Technics, Cabasse, and Elipson. Checking the official exhibitor list closer to the event date will confirm the full 2026 lineup.
Is there a day reserved for industry professionals?
Yes. The final day, typically a Monday, is reserved for retailers, industry representatives, and press, allowing the trade community to conduct business away from general visitor crowds.
What can first-time visitors expect from the show floor?
First-time visitors can expect multiple exhibition halls organized by category, including hi-fi, home cinema, music instruments, DJ equipment, and lighting. Live demonstrations hosted by engineers, occasional concert events, and an expanding focus on gaming technology all add depth beyond simple product displays.