What to know about the Cleveland Auto Show’s final run at the I-X Center in 2026
A longtime Cleveland event faces a venue turning point
The 2026 Cleveland Auto Show is scheduled to run from Feb. 20 through March 1, 2026 at the I-X Center next to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Organizers have described the 2026 edition as the auto show’s final year at the I-X Center, marking the end of an era for one of the region’s largest annual public exhibitions.
Why the I-X Center is expected to stop hosting major exhibitions
The venue’s shift is tied to a city-approved lease amendment intended to transition the 2.2 million-square-foot facility away from large public exhibitions and toward business development. City legislation approved in June 2025 extended the property’s lease arrangement and set terms aimed at attracting a major corporate tenant to occupy roughly one million square feet. Public statements tied to the deal cited more than 200 jobs and a projected annual payroll of about $23 million.
The arrangement also included provisions giving the city a right to terminate after a defined period. While event listings show additional events at the I-X Center through March 2026, the Cleveland Auto Show has been promoted as the last auto show there under the venue’s transition plan.
Dates, hours, ticketing and on-site logistics
For 2026, the show’s published operating hours begin with an opening night block on Friday, Feb. 20 (5–10 p.m.), followed by daytime and evening hours through Sunday, March 1. Ticket prices listed for the 2026 event include $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (62+) and $12 for preteens (ages 7–12), with children 6 and under admitted free. Parking has been advertised as free during the event.
Dates: Feb. 20–March 1, 2026
Location: I-X Center, 1 I-X Center Drive, Cleveland
Parking: Advertised as free for attendees
Programming and features planned for the final I-X Center edition
Organizers have promoted the return of major attractions including Ride N’ Drives and Millionaire’s Row, along with a schedule of timed appearances and themed days. The show’s schedule also includes a vehicle giveaway event on the final Sunday afternoon.
The Cleveland Auto Show began in February 1903 in downtown Cleveland and has evolved into a consumer-focused event that traditionally aligns with the region’s spring auto sales season.
What comes next for the auto show and other large events
Organizers have publicly indicated they are evaluating future venue options, including a potential move downtown to the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. However, other major I-X Center events have raised concerns about space and logistics if forced to relocate, underscoring that the region’s largest shows may not all have straightforward alternatives once the I-X Center’s exhibition role winds down.
For attendees, the 2026 auto show is expected to be the final opportunity to experience the event in its familiar I-X Center format, with its large, single-roof footprint and airport-adjacent access.