In a historic move that marks a new chapter for the global food industry, Gulfood 2026 has broken from tradition by expanding across two major venues in Dubai simultaneously. Opening on January 26, this monumental edition represents the first time in its 31-year history that the world's largest annual food and beverage sourcing event has outgrown its original home at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The show now spans both DWTC and the newly expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai, creating an unprecedented dual-venue experience.
Unprecedented Scale and Strategic Vision
This expansion represents a remarkable 100% growth in just one year, covering over 280,000 square metres of exhibition space. By utilizing both ends of the city, Gulfood 2026 is accommodating more than 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries, who are showcasing an astonishing 1.5 million food and beverage products. This strategic move goes beyond mere size increase—it positions Dubai as the definitive "global headquarters" of food trade, reinforcing the city's status as an international business hub.
Venue Distribution and Sector Focus
The division between venues allows for a more organized and immersive experience. DWTC continues to host Gulfood's core sectors including Meat, Poultry, Dairy, Power Brands, Beverages, Fats, Oils, and Pulses. Meanwhile, Expo City Dubai's DEC venue houses expanded and new verticals such as World Food, Rice, Pulses & Grains, Gulfood Fresh, Gulfood Logistics, and Gulfood Grocery Trade. This thoughtful distribution enables visitors to navigate specific industry sectors more efficiently while managing the enormous scale of the world's biggest food sourcing platform.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Dominance
The transformation of Gulfood from its modest 1987 debut to today's record-breaking mega-show mirrors Dubai's own remarkable growth story. The inaugural edition featured just 65 exhibitors from 13 countries and welcomed approximately 1,600 visitors. Originally held biennially, the event transitioned to annual frequency in 2005 to keep pace with the exploding global food and beverage market demand.
Over nearly four decades, what began as a regional fair for the GCC has evolved into the world's most influential trade platform. Managed by the Dubai World Trade Centre, Gulfood has spawned several specialized spin-offs like Gulfood Manufacturing, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the entire food chain from raw ingredients to finished products.
Comparative Growth: 1987 vs. 2026
- Exhibitors: 65 (1987) to 8,500+ (2026)
- Participating Countries: 13 (1987) to 195 (2026)
- Venues: 1 Hall at DWTC (1987) to 2 Mega Venues at DWTC & DEC (2026)
- Space: Approximately 2,500 sqm (1987) to 280,000+ sqm (2026)
Practical Information for Visitors
The dual-venue approach has been carefully planned to enhance visitor experience. Daily opening hours run from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday, with Friday's final day concluding at 5:00 PM. The Dubai Metro Red Line serves as the primary transportation artery connecting both venues, with the World Trade Centre Station serving DWTC and Expo 2020 Station serving DEC.
Transportation and Logistics
This strategic expansion addresses previous challenges of overcrowding and "exhibition fatigue." While DWTC offers limited parking with high congestion, DEC provides over 15,000 accessible parking spaces. Peak traffic times vary slightly between venues, with DWTC experiencing congestion from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM and DEC from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The metro system offers the most efficient way to navigate between locations without encountering Dubai's legendary traffic.
For business owners and industry professionals, this expansion means more breathing room, shorter queues for meetings and refreshments, and a significantly more organized approach to product sourcing. Dubai has demonstrated its capability to host the world's largest trade shows with seamless efficiency, setting a new standard for international exhibitions.
