SEMA Show 2026 in Las Vegas
Trade-only aftermarket show November 3–6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center; enthusiasts get floor access only via the Friday public ticket.
- Nov 3–6, 2026
- Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, NV - trade only
The short version
The 2026 SEMA Show runs Tuesday, November 3 through Friday, November 6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (3150 Paradise Road). It is a business-to-business aftermarket trade event: hobbyists, car-club members, and unemployed or retired enthusiasts do not qualify for midweek badges. SEMA’s attendee FAQ is explicit that consumers should buy the “SEMA Show Friday – Open to the public” ticket (sold via semafest.com) for Friday, November 6 only. Show-floor hours that day are 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with registration closing at 2:00 p.m.
Background
SEMA is where aftermarket parts, builds, and OEM performance concepts stage for dealers and media before they trickle onto enthusiast streets. The Specialty Equipment Market Association has kept the show trade-first; public Friday is the pressure valve for everyone else.
Verified details
- Trade days: November 3–5, 2026 (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.).
- Public Friday: November 6, 2026 (9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; registration closes 2:00 p.m.).
- Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
- Public ticket path (per SEMA FAQ): www.semafest.com — “SEMA Show Friday – Open to the public.”
- AAPEX companion show: Tuesday–Thursday at The Venetian & AAPEX Forum (not Friday).
Planning tips
- If you are not industry-employed, skip Tuesday–Thursday fantasies and buy the Friday public ticket on semafest.com. Bring matching government ID; badges are non-transferable.
- SEMA Fest (live music / Bronze Lot programming) is a separate product from show-floor public access — read which SKU you are buying.
- One qualified SEMA badge also covers AAPEX at The Venetian Tuesday–Thursday; AAPEX is not open Friday. Plan parts-hunting midweek only if you actually qualify.
- Wear real shoes and carry water. Hall mileage at LVCC is the endurance event; the New Products Showcase and floorplan app help you stop wandering.
- Driving from SoCal is workable with an overnight — see Eastward’s LA–Las Vegas road-trip guide — but Thursday arrival traffic into the Strip corridor still eats evening plans.
Common questions
- Can the public attend SEMA midweek?
- No. Tuesday–Thursday are trade-only. Consumers should buy the Friday public ticket via semafest.com for November 6, 2026 floor access.
- What are Friday public hours?
- SEMA lists Friday, November 6 show-floor hours as 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with registration closing at 2:00 p.m. Bring matching government ID.
- Is SEMA Fest the same as the show floor?
- No. SEMA Fest (music / Bronze Lot programming) is a separate product from show-floor public access. Read which SKU you are buying.
- Does a SEMA badge cover AAPEX?
- A qualified SEMA badge typically also covers AAPEX at The Venetian Tuesday–Thursday. AAPEX is not open Friday. Confirm current rules on SEMA’s attendee FAQ.
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