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The Detroit Auto Show will be back in 2026. Here’s when
Posted by Talbot Payne on February 21, 2025
Detroit — January and the Detroit Auto Show fit like hand and a (winter) glove.
The show’s organizers said Wednesday it will be back next year from Jan. 14-25, solidifying itself as the first North American auto show on the calendar after a successful return this year. Like a mall, the Huntington Place showcase will again be anchored by Detroit automakers, The Gallery exhibit full of exotic cars, and Racing Day sponsored by the Detroit Grand Prix.
Visitors explore the 2025 Detroit Auto Show on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at Huntington Place in Detroit. The show, which returned this year to its traditional January slot for the first time since 2019, will be back from Jan. 14-25, 2026. Katy Kildee, The Detroit News
After a disjointed four years that saw multiple date changes and even cancellation due to the COVID pandemic, the Detroit Auto Show was back to its traditional January dates this year for the first time since 2019. Shedding its moniker as the North American International Auto Show as the auto industry has become less show-centric for vehicle reveals, the auto-palooza now carries the moniker Detroit Auto Show.
It attracted 275,000 people over 11 days this winter, well off its NAIAS peak of 800,000. The show boasted an economic impact of $370 million as it brought car fans into the city to kick off the new year.
“Having just concluded the show’s incredible return to its traditional time slot, we’re excited to announce next year’s dates and keep the momentum going,” said 2026 Detroit Auto Show Chair Todd Szott, a partner in Szott Auto, which runs a number of dealerships in Metro Detroit. “January is synonymous with cars in the Motor City, and we expect plenty of auto-centric experiences to, once again, be on tap for the 2026 show.”
Ford Mustang debuts — an RTR concept and GTD “Sprit of America” special edition — headlined this year’s show, and there will be media and industry preview days next year on Wednesday, Jan. 14 and Thursday, Jan. 15, respectively.
But the show’s focus has shifted to floor activities.
Josef Newgarden prepares to warm up the 655-horsepower Corvette E-Ray, the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix pace car, for fan rides at the Detroit Auto Show. Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The Detroit Grand Prix is a partner and will again host a Racing Day during public days, Jan. 17-25. The GP uses the auto show to launch ticket sales for its June event. And the black-tie Charity Preview will be held on Friday evening, Jan. 16, raising money for charitable causes. Media day is also traditionally opened with the awarding of the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year honors.
Where multimillion-dollar displays once dominated the floor, ride-along tracks now make up much of the floor space, offering an opportunity for the 30-plus brands on display to put attendees in the seats of vehicles. Among the 500-plus vehicles on display this year were 50 ultra-lux vehicles in The Gallery space including Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls Royces.
“We’re pleased to learn about the new Auto Show schedule, which will enable the media and industry to meet and network in a focused and energized environment to preview the show before it opens to the public,” said Joe Rohatynski, vice president for AISIN Corporate Communications. “This is how it was for many years, and it worked very well for OEMs and suppliers.”
The Detroit Auto Dealers Association hosted the first show in 1907 and the NAIAS ran from 1989-2024.
Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne.