SimRacing Expo Frankfurt Promises Nine World Premieres and Assetto Corsa EVO Free Roam Trial

SimRacing Expo will bring a substantial collection of racing simulation hardware, software, competition and industry announcements to Frankfurt, Germany, from October 16 through October 18, 2026. The three-day event is set to feature more than 70 exhibitors and nine world premieres, putting the focus on both the equipment that powers sim rigs and the games and simulation experiences that give that equipment purpose.

Visitors will be able to try products on the show floor, including pedals, steering wheels, motion simulators, shifters designed to replicate a physical driving feel, and further accessories. That hands-on emphasis is important for an area of gaming where fit, force feedback, mounting options and comfort can be as significant as headline specifications. Rather than simply observing new gear in display cases, attendees will have opportunities to see how a range of components work in complete setups.

The 2026 edition is also positioned as a larger event than before. Organisers say exhibition space has increased by 40%, passing 14,000 square metres. The expanded footprint will accommodate brands from the sim racing hardware and software space, while also underlining the increasingly close relationship between virtual motorsport and established automotive racing organisations.

Nine premieres planned across the Frankfurt weekend

The biggest announcements are scheduled around Premiere Friday, the opening day of the expo. Fanatec, Simucube and ImSim are all expected to reveal products during the programme, with additional surprises planned. The event has not detailed every one of the nine world premieres in advance, so visitors and viewers following remotely will have to wait for the presentations to learn the full slate of announcements.

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That approach makes the Friday schedule a notable moment for players building their first serious racing setup, upgrading individual components, or simply tracking where premium simulation technology is headed. Direct-drive wheel bases, pedal assemblies, cockpit systems and motion hardware continue to evolve quickly, and an event that groups major reveals in one place offers an unusual snapshot of the market's next steps.

Among the exhibitors named for the event are BDH Sim Hardware, Corsair, Fanatec, TrakRacer and ImSim. The roster also includes KUNOS Simulazioni, RECARO appearing together with Manthey-Racing, and Porsche Motorsport. The range reflects the variety of disciplines now meeting under the sim racing banner: manufacturers of specialist controls and rigs, game developers, seating brands, real-world racing teams and major motorsport names.

SimRacing Expo is not limiting that variety to cars alone. The organisers have highlighted simulations covering cars, motorcycles and flight experiences, suggesting that the floor will offer a broader simulation showcase alongside its central racing focus. For attendees, that could make the event appealing not only to dedicated circuit racers but also to people interested in the wider ecosystem of enthusiast-grade virtual driving and simulation.

For another perspective on this story, read SimRacing Expo Frankfurt Sets Nine World Premieres, Assetto Corsa EVO Free Roam Trial for October 2026.

Assetto Corsa EVO Free Roam will be playable before public release

One of the weekend's most significant software attractions will be a hands-on trial of the new Free Roam mode for Assetto Corsa EVO. KUNOS will make the mode available at the expo before its public release, giving visitors a chance to experience it early and see how the feature is shaping up in person.

Free Roam is an especially notable addition because it points to an experience beyond structured races, hot laps and prescribed events. The announcement does not provide detailed mechanics, map information or a public launch date for the mode, but the Frankfurt demo will offer an early look at KUNOS' direction. It also creates a natural fit for a show full of cockpits, wheels, pedals and other equipment intended to make virtual driving feel more convincing.

KUNOS will also appear on the SimRacing Expo live stage at 16:00 CEST on Friday. That presentation should provide a focal point for fans of Assetto Corsa EVO, particularly those who want to learn more about the Free Roam demonstration directly from the development team. KUNOS, 505 Games and Digital Bros are collaborating with the event for the third consecutive year.

The early demo is a meaningful draw even with details still under wraps. Major simulation games often develop through sustained technical work and community feedback, so in-person play opportunities can be valuable for enthusiasts who want a closer impression of a new feature than a trailer or a specifications sheet can offer. It also gives the expo a software headline to match its extensive hardware offering.

FIA Esports Global Rally Tour brings competition to the floor

The event will additionally host the European regional shootout for the FIA Esports Global Rally Tour. The top 16 drivers will compete using simulation hardware from Advanced Simracing and D-BOX, adding a competitive showcase to the exhibition programme.

Rally is a compelling format for an on-site sim racing competition because it asks drivers to manage changing conditions, rapid weight transfer and the high-pressure consequences of narrow stages. While the announcement does not identify the competing drivers or reveal the specific simulation title being used, the presence of a top-16 field ensures that spectators will see a concentrated level of regional esports competition.

The tournament also reinforces a wider point about sim racing's current position. Modern racing sims are places to practice, socialize and experiment with hardware, but they are increasingly formal competitive platforms as well. An FIA-branded tour appearing at the same venue as manufacturer reveals and game demos ties all of those threads together: the virtual sport, the technology behind it and the motorsport culture that surrounds it.

Real motorsport and sim racing continue to converge

RECARO and Manthey-Racing joining the exhibitor lineup, along with Porsche Motorsport's presence, illustrates the continued crossover between companies rooted in physical racing and the simulation space. For years, sim racing has drawn on real motorsport's cars, circuits, engineering language and driving techniques. Increasingly, teams and automotive brands are taking a more visible role in the virtual side as well.

That crossover can mean many things. Sim rigs provide a way for fans to engage with driving in a more tactile manner than a standard controller allows. Digital competition can bring motorsport audiences together across geographic boundaries. Meanwhile, established racing brands can use simulators to communicate their identity, history and technical expertise to people who may never have the chance to sit in a real competition car.

For players, the practical impact is often seen in the quality and diversity of equipment on display. A racing seat, wheel, pedal set, shifter and monitor or display solution must work together as a whole. The ability to compare brands and configurations in a single venue may be especially useful for prospective buyers, since sim rig decisions involve practical questions about space, ergonomics, compatibility and budget as well as performance.

How to follow SimRacing Expo 2026

SimRacing Expo takes place at Messe Frankfurt from October 16 to 18, 2026. Day tickets and weekend passes are available for those attending in person. The event will also be streamed each day through the SimRacing Expo YouTube channel, allowing viewers at home to follow the presentations, product announcements and stage programming.

The livestream matters because many of the headline reveals are intended for a global audience, not solely visitors in Frankfurt. With nine premieres planned, a KUNOS stage presentation, early Assetto Corsa EVO Free Roam access and the FIA esports rally shootout, the weekend offers several reasons for sim racing fans to keep an eye on the schedule even if they cannot make the trip.

Much of the exact product lineup remains to be revealed, and that uncertainty is part of the event's appeal. What is already clear is that Frankfurt will host a broad survey of where simulation racing stands in late 2026: increasingly sophisticated hardware, a growing software ecosystem, organised esports, and deeper involvement from names associated with real-world motorsport. Whether attendees are seeking their next wheelbase, a full-motion cockpit experience, a first look at Free Roam, or simply the excitement of live reveals, SimRacing Expo is aiming to make its expanded 2026 edition a major date on the simulation calendar.