Chicago Auto Show 2026
February 7–16 at McCormick Place: the 118th edition of North America’s longest-running auto show, built for seat time, test tracks, and Midwest shopping decisions.
- Feb 7–16, 2026
- McCormick Place
Chicago, IL - paid
Recap
Chicago Auto Show 2026: McCormick Place still rewards the shortlist crowd
The 118th edition delivered what CATA previewed: long public hours, indoor track rides, and a denser local-culture block in Chi-Town Alley. Families who treated it as a compressed comparison weekend — sit in three-rows, sample hybrid/EV tracks, ignore unveil theater — got the most from the ticket.
First Look for Charity again sat outside general admission on February 6. Anyone who expected gala access on a $20 public ticket learned that lesson the hard way; everyone else should keep the split clear for 2027 planning.
The durable Midwest takeaway holds: bring a shortlist, go early on a weekday if you can, and let dealer follow-up happen after you leave the hall.
The short version
The Chicago Automobile Trade Association staged the 118th Chicago Auto Show February 7–16, 2026 at McCormick Place, with public doors opening daily at 10 a.m. (hours varied by day). Media preview ran February 5–6; First Look for Charity, the black-tie gala, was the evening of February 6. CATA’s pre-show announcement leaned hard into hands-on programming: indoor tracks including Chicago Drives Electric, Ford’s Built Wild Bronco course, Camp Jeep, outdoor test drives, a new Chi-Town Alley culture area, plus returning Overlanding Chicago and Family Zone blocks.
Background
First staged in 1901 and produced by CATA since 1935, Chicago remains a dealer-association show with retail gravity. A CATA post-2025 attendee survey claimed 35% of respondents bought or leased in the months after visiting, and 84% of those buyers said the show influenced the decision — useful context for why Midwestern families still treat McCormick Place as a comparison lab.
Verified details
- Public show: February 7–16, 2026, McCormick Place.
- Media preview: February 5–6, 2026.
- First Look for Charity: evening of February 6, 2026.
- Announced 2026 floor additions: Chi-Town Alley; returning Drives Electric, Built Wild, Camp Jeep, Overlanding Chicago, Family Zone.
Planning tips
- Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons for third-row and cargo comparisons. Monday–Wednesday themed days (Career Day Feb 10, First Responders/Military Feb 11, food-drive voucher days Feb 11–13) can change crowd mix and ticket math.
- First Look for Charity is a separate Friday-night fundraiser (FirstLookforCharity.org) — not included with general admission. VIP industry tours on Feb 6 are likewise a different SKU.
- Use the show for seat time and track rides, then leave with a shortlist — you cannot buy a car on the floor, but manufacturer desks will point you to local dealers.
- Adult tickets were listed at $20 (seniors 62+ $15; kids 4–12 $15; 3 and under free) in CATA’s announcement — confirm day-specific hours before you commit a CTA or parking plan.
Common questions
- Can I buy a car on the Chicago Auto Show floor?
- No. Treat McCormick Place as comparison and seat-time — manufacturer desks point you to local dealers afterward.
- When is the best time to visit for serious shopping?
- Weekday hours are calmer than Saturday for quiet seat time in trucks and three-rows. Bring a shortlist before you enter.
- Is Chicago still worth it after Detroit and New York?
- Yes for Midwest households who want a dense consumer floor without East Coast travel. CATA’s own attendee surveys still show post-show purchase influence — useful context, not a guarantee.
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