2026 Cleveland Auto Show opens at I-X Center with Ride N’ Drives, giveaways, and scheduled events

Show runs Feb. 20 through March 1 at Cleveland’s I-X Center

The 2026 Cleveland Auto Show is scheduled for a 10-day run from Friday, Feb. 20, through Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the I-X Center (1 I-X Center Drive). Organizers have positioned the event around new-vehicle shopping comparisons, public test-drive-style experiences, and a rotating calendar of on-site programming.

Public hours begin with an opening-night session on Friday, Feb. 20, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show is slated to operate 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Ticket prices, parking, and who gets in free

General admission is listed at $15 for adults. Seniors ages 62 and older and preteens ages 7–12 are listed at $12, while children 6 and under are listed as free. The event also promotes free parking at the venue.

One of the largest single-day admission offers is “Northern Ohio Heroes Day,” set for Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. Free admission is offered to eligible active military, reservists, veterans, and first responders, with eligibility tied to presenting valid identification at the I-X Center box office. The offer is defined as limited to the individual presenting qualifying ID.

Ride N’ Drives and Camp Jeep: what attendees can do on site

Organizers are again featuring “Ride N’ Drives,” a format that allows attendees to take part in supervised driving or passenger experiences tied to participating brands and attractions. Requirements vary by activity and can include minimum age, height, licensing, and waiver completion; some programs may impose additional restrictions such as breath testing.

A featured component is Camp Jeep, an interactive course designed to demonstrate off-road capability concepts such as traction, articulation, and suspension travel under professional driver supervision.

Giveaway vehicle and scheduled on-floor moments

A major on-floor event is the official vehicle giveaway, scheduled for the closing day (Sunday, March 1) with activity beginning at 4 p.m. The listed grand prize is a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox LT. The format is described as selecting finalists and determining the winner via a randomly selected key used to attempt to unlock the vehicle on the show floor.

• Opening Night: Friday, Feb. 20 (5–10 p.m.).

• Northern Ohio Heroes Day: Thursday, Feb. 26 (free admission for eligible groups with ID).

• Vehicle Giveaway: Sunday, March 1 (4–5 p.m.).

With the show returning to the I-X Center for the 2026 dates, the event’s public-facing focus remains centered on in-person vehicle comparison, interactive attractions, and timed programming across the 10-day run.

Press programming is also scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20, during daytime hours, with time slots outlined for brand and safety-related presentations ahead of public opening.