interbad 2026 confirms its position at the heart of public pool, sauna and spa challenges

From 6 to 8 October in Stuttgart, interbad 2026 brought together around 7,500 visitors and nearly 300 exhibiting companies around equipment, technologies and new operating models for public pools, saunas and spas. The event was marked by a highly professional audience, a programme more closely integrated into the exhibition and discussions focused on the sector's practical challenges.

Innovation, operation and the future of facilities at the heart of interbad 2026

For its 2026 edition, interbad chose to sharpen its focus on the needs of operators and industry professionals. This approach was reflected both in the exhibition halls and in the conference programme, with topics including technical innovation, facility renovation, operational efficiency, changing uses, wellness and the future of public swimming pools.

The international dimension of the event was also confirmed. One visitor in four came from outside Germany, while exhibitors represented 28 countries. The organisers also highlighted the quality of the trade audience: 82% of visitors are involved in purchasing or investment decisions. Overall, visitors awarded the show a rating of 2.0 on a scale where 1 is the highest possible score.

Find the highlights of interbad 2026 in pictures on our LinkedIn page.

Practical solutions for evolving facilities and their operation

Throughout the halls, this highly practical focus was reflected in a wide variety of solutions for water treatment, energy efficiency, pool construction and renovation, as well as sauna, wellness and new uses.

One of the highlights observed on site was a professional excursion to Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen to discover an indoor modular swimming pool designed to be dismantled and rebuilt at another location. Installed temporarily while an existing pool is being reconstructed, it illustrates an alternative approach to maintaining public swimming provision during major works.

AQUABOX visit

Built from prefabricated timber modules, the facility features a 25-metre stainless-steel pool with five lanes, equipped with a movable floor. Construction took around nine months, while dismantling is expected to take approximately six months. Beyond its temporary nature, the project demonstrates how modularity, prefabrication and reuse can contribute to the design of tomorrow's aquatic facilities. Discover our visit to AQUABOX in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen in pictures.

Back at the show, discussions also confirmed the growing importance of sauna and wellness, with dedicated areas and a stronger international presence. Several collective initiatives highlighted craftsmanship, manufacturing quality and responsible innovation in a sector where design and user experience are playing an increasingly important role.

conférence interbad

A programme more closely integrated into the exhibition halls

One of the new features of this edition was an open stage located directly in the exhibition hall, designed to bring professional content and product presentations even closer together. Each day focused on a different theme, ranging from the design of attractive aquatic facilities and new longevity concepts to efficient operation. Practical sessions also provided useful insights for professionals responsible for the day-to-day operation of pools and spas.

The 71^st DGfdB Congress extended these discussions around three major issues: construction and technology, human resources and facility operation. An English-language International Session also broadened the debate beyond the German market. One of the key messages from the congress was that the future of public pools must be considered as a whole, combining buildings, equipment, qualified staff and viable operating models. See the highlights in pictures.

interbad forum

Three innovations recognised by the interbad Innovation Award

Innovation also played a major role through the interbad Innovation Award. The entries covered a wide range of areas, from construction materials and pool linings to water treatment, leisure equipment and digital solutions.

First place went to STEULER-KCH GmbH for Steuler BekaBoost, a penetration-free system. THE PAULY GROUP GmbH & Co. KG took second place with the Geomatrix® filter bed, designed for biological water treatment without chlorine. AQUARENA GmbH was awarded third place for SmartSlide, a waterslide that users can configure directly via an app.

Overall, interbad 2026 gave the impression of a show focused not only on presenting products, but also on placing them in the context of the challenges currently facing operators: renovation, operating costs, staffing, sustainability, adaptability of facilities and user experience.

EuroSpaPoolNews Special Germany 2026 at interbad

Present at the show as a professional media outlet for the sector, EuroSpaPoolNews also distributed its Special GERMANY 2026, a bilingual German-English edition covering news, innovations and solutions for pool, spa, sauna and wellness professionals. Discover EuroSpaPoolNews Special Germany 2026 en ligne.

EuroSpaPoolNews Special GERMANY 2026 distributed at interbad

The next edition of interbad will take place in Stuttgart from 10 to 12 October 2028, with the organisers intending to continue sharpening its focus on the needs of pool, sauna and spa operators.