CannaTrade 2026: 25 Years of Zurich's Premier Hemp Trade Show Celebrated by 8,500 Visitors

The CannaTrade turned 25 years old and celebrated its anniversary from May 29-31, 2026 in Hall 622 in Zurich-Oerlikon. Over 8,500 visitors came across three days to Switzerland’s cannabis hub and experienced across 6,000 square meters of exhibition space what’s currently moving the industry. We were there as Main Media Partner and take you through what stuck with us from 2026.

Hall 622 Full: Three Days of Pure Cannabis

Hall 622 was well-filled all three days: an international audience, many familiar Swiss faces, all age groups. For those who’ve been in the scene for a while, it was a chance to reconnect with old acquaintances; for first-timers, it was easy to get connected. The atmosphere stayed relaxed and curious throughout the weekend—a clear sign that the format still works after 25 years.

150 Exhibitors, One Focus: Pure Cannabis

At around 150 booths from around the world, it was literally about everything the plant has to offer. Indoor and outdoor cultivation supplies sat alongside CBD flowers, extracts, tinctures, and topicals; manufacturers of vaporizers, bongs, and rolling papers presented their 2026 lines. Those interested in cannabis as medicine found contact points with Swiss pharmacies and medical providers.

The trend toward culinary use was particularly visible: the affiliated Hemp Food Festival showcased hemp pasta, hemp oils, hemp snacks, hemp-infused beer, and CBD chocolate. Hemp as a food has definitively arrived in the mainstream, even among visitors who otherwise have nothing to do with the consumption aspect.

Knowledge on the Main Stage: Panels, Lectures, Discussions

The main stage was densely packed over all three days. Panel discussions, expert lectures, and moderated talks covered the full range of topics currently occupying the Swiss and international cannabis industry: regulatory developments, medical studies, new cultivation methods, and the question of where the Swiss pilot model is headed in the medium term.

The mix of practitioners, scientists, and activists made the program so valuable, and discussions regularly extended beyond the official time slots into follow-up conversations at the booths.

Swiss Joint Rolling Championship

A CannaTrade classic and a crowd favorite for years: the Swiss Joint Rolling Championship. On stage it was all about technique, speed, and style—and the not insignificant status of being able to call yourself „Swiss Champion“ for the next year.

Anyone who witnessed the contest live knows: this is more craft than show. The mix of concentration, routine, and creative form experimentation made the joint rolling contest one of the program highlights again this year, with the stands completely sold out.

CannaSwissCup and CannAward: The 2026 Winners

Two award shows provided the highlight of the event. The CannaSwissCup annually honors the best Swiss CBD varieties, a format that has long been established as a quality benchmark in the industry. The winners of all categories and complete results are documented at cannaswisscup.ch.

The CannAward recognized the most beautiful booth of the fair, with the title this year going to Highstore, booth number 113. Additionally, two Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented:

• Marco Kuhn, founder of CannaTrade 25 years ago and an activist for the Swiss cannabis scene ever since
• Sven Schendekehl, secretary of the Legalize It association for over 30 years

Both were honored for their long-term commitment—two individuals without whom the Swiss cannabis scene as it exists today would be hard to imagine.

25-Year Birthday Party Friday Evening

Friday evening turned the trade fair into a birthday celebration. For the 25-year anniversary, CannaTrade invited exhibitors, visitors, and longtime companions to a party right in the hall. DJs, live acts, plenty of toasts to the past 25 years, and ample time for conversations between people who have known each other since the fair’s first edition.

Those who were there got to celebrate an important piece of scene history. It was one of those evenings that will be talked about again in two years at the next anniversary.

Around the Edges: Lounges, Live Glass, Graffiti & Skate Zone

A trade fair doesn’t live on its main program alone, and CannaTrade has understood that for a while. In the CB Lounge and Chillout Area, visitors found quieter spaces to talk and catch their breath. In the Graffiti Zone, a vibrant work came together over the weekend that translated the atmosphere of the three days into color. At the Live Glass Show, visitors watched glassblowers over their shoulders as raw glass was transformed into pipes, bongs, and art objects.

And then there was the Skate Zone, a program element that shows how broadly CannaTrade draws connections to urban Swiss subculture.

Outlook: Next CannaTrade May 19-21, 2028

CannaTrade sticks with its proven two-year cycle. The next edition is scheduled for May 19-21, 2028 and will take place again in Hall 622 in Zurich. For those who couldn’t make it this year or are already planning the next trip: the dates are locked in, the organizer is set, the hall is secured.

Until then there will be plenty of time for the next generation of cultivation equipment, new CBD varieties, and probably also some regulatory developments that will be discussed in Zurich. We’ll stay on top of it.

Hemp Magazine is Main Media Partner of CannaTrade. Find all international cannabis industry event dates on cannadoo.com, our industry event calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions About CannaTrade 2026

When and Where Did CannaTrade 2026 Take Place?

CannaTrade 2026 ran from May 29-31, 2026 in Hall 622 in Zurich-Oerlikon. It was the anniversary edition celebrating the fair’s 25-year existence—a look back at the beginnings can be found in our article CannaTrade Turns 20.

How Many Visitors Did CannaTrade 2026 Have?

Over 8,500 visitors came across the three days, distributed among around 150 exhibitors from around the world and 6,000 square meters of exhibition space in Hall 622.

When is the Next CannaTrade?

The next CannaTrade will take place in its proven two-year cycle from May 19-21, 2028 again in Hall 622 in Zurich. To match: Switzerland is among the pioneers and opened Europe’s first cannabis dispensaries.

What Other Major Cannabis Trade Shows Are There?

Besides CannaTrade, Spannabis in Barcelona as Europe’s largest hemp fair and Mary Jane Berlin are among the most important industry events in the German-speaking region.