Record at IAA: Over 500,000 visitors flock to Munich!

Record at IAA: Over 500,000 visitors flock to Munich!

The IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich has once again made history: from September 9th to 14th, over 500,000 visitors were counted, a slight increase compared to the record set in 2023. The trade fair thus consolidates its reputation as one of the most important events in the automotive industry. The Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) reported that the number of visitors on the six days of the exhibition was well over half a million, which also exceeded the organizers' expectations. How tz.de reported, around 750 exhibitors from 73 countries presented over 350 world premieres, 17 more than last year.

Interestingly, around 60% of the exhibitors came from abroad. Around 24% of the visitors were international guests, primarily from Great Britain, Austria, China and Italy. The IAA has developed into a global platform for all topics related to mobility. In addition to trade visitors who were accommodated at the IAA Summit on the exhibition grounds, the free “open space” in the city center was made 30% larger than last year, which attracted many Munich residents and tourists.

Protests and their effects

Despite the positive feedback, there were also protests during the event. The Association for Nature Conservation and the German Transport Club organized a bicycle demo in which around 700 people took part. This led to some traffic disruptions in the city, but was overall peaceful. Another demo march with around 650 participants moved from Karolinenplatz to Luitpoldpark. Loud BR.de Around 25 activists were reported blocking Leopoldstrasse on Friday evening, which resulted in additional diversions. Nevertheless, the police reported fewer protests overall compared to the last IAA, with only 50 crimes reported.

The Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann praised the police work and the peaceful conduct of the event. The security concept, which deployed over 8,000 police officers, can therefore be considered successful. An interesting aspect is that the security situation was significantly more relaxed compared to 2023, when there were 285 reported crimes.

Prospects and future of the IAA

The organizers have decided that the IAA, which was moved from Frankfurt to Munich in 2021, will remain in the Isarstadt until at least 2031. VDA President Hildegard Müller emphasizes how important this trade fair is for the international automotive industry and emphasizes the leading position of German automobile manufacturers. Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder also found clear words and called for the planned EU-wide ban on internal combustion engines to be lifted by 2035, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz supported electromobility with more flexible regulation sueddeutsche.de reported.

In summary, it can be said that, despite some protests, the IAA Mobility 2025 was a complete success and the city of Munich was once again able to establish itself as an important venue for this important event. The upcoming editions of the IAA in Munich are already planned for 2027, 2029 and 2031 and promise to be even more exciting.