Best Amusement and Attractions Expos in China 2026–2027
Six key expos in China and Asia: GTI, CAE, CAE Zhengzhou, AAA, TFPS, and IAAPA. Dates, formats, and tips on where to go for suppliers
Contents
China hosts six major amusement and attractions expos. Each serves a different buying window, audience, and market reach. Use the comparison below to match the trip to your goal.
Quick pick: which expo do you need?
| Your goal | Which expo | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum scale and choice | GTI China Expo (September, Guangzhou) | 800+ exhibitors, 110,000+ sq.m |
| Buying in the first half of the year | AAA + TFPS (May, Guangzhou) | Two expos at once — maximum in one trip |
| Northern China / Beijing market | China Attractions Expo (March, Beijing) | 1,683 exhibitors, organized by CAAPA |
| Attraction equipment within a tourism expo | CAE Zhengzhou (October, Zhengzhou) | Main theme is tourism; Entertainment Experience Equipment pavilion |
| Covering all segments | GTI China Expo | 60+ industry sectors |
1. GTI China Expo — the main expo of the year
Dates: September 10–12, 2026
Venue: Halls A & D, China Import and Export Fair Complex (Canton Fair Complex), Guangzhou
Key figures:
- 800+ exhibitors
- 110,000+ sq.m of exhibition space
- 150,000+ visits (projected)
- 16 years of history
- 60+ industry segments
GTI China Expo is the largest sourcing floor in South China for amusement manufacturers and suppliers. Buyers come with different market mandates:
- North America — premium segment with strict requirements
- Europe — certification and quality standards
- Belt and Road countries — fast-growing markets with specific demands
In 2026 the floor exceeds 100,000 sq.m for the first time, with 800+ companies exhibiting. Organizers project 150,000 visits.
Who it serves:
- Amusement attraction manufacturers and suppliers
- Theme park buyers
- Distributors looking for new manufacturers
2026 exhibitors include M Sky, Wanxiang Cloud, ACE, Saint-Fun, and Jinhui.
2. China Attractions Expo (CAE) — Beijing's industry flagship
Dates: March 17–19, 2027
Venue: New China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Hall), Beijing
Key figures:
- 1,683 exhibitors
- 101,414 expected visitors
- Organized by China Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (CAAPA)
China Attractions Expo (CAE) is the premier trade event for the amusement and attractions industry in Asia. Held annually in Beijing, the expo showcases the latest innovations in rides, theme parks, water parks, virtual reality, gaming equipment, and entertainment technology. It brings together key industry players, including manufacturers, operators, and investors, for networking, business deals, and trend discussions. The event also features conferences, seminars, and product launches.
Best fit if you:
- Target the northern China market
- Operate theme parks or water parks
- Invest in entertainment technology
3. CAE Zhengzhou — 44th CAAPA Attractions Expo
Dates: October 21–23, 2026
Venue: Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center
Key figures:
- 500+ exhibitors
- 50,000 professional buyers
- 45,000+ sq.m of exhibition space
- 43 editions of the CAE series
- Organized by CAAPA (linked to China Attractions Expo)
China (Zhengzhou) Tourism Leisure and Entertainment Industry Expo 2026 is part of the 44th CAAPA Attractions Expo. The core theme is tourism — travel infrastructure, leisure, cultural tourism. Entertainment and attractions are a supplementary track, not the main focus of the entire show. The CAE series draws more than 100,000 professional buyers from 40+ countries and regions annually.
If you need ride suppliers, plan a targeted visit — go for the dedicated pavilion, not the full floor.
Entertainment Experience Equipment pavilion (supplementary block)
Among the expo sections, one pavilion covers entertainment experience equipment — from classic rides to VR and educational installations:
Land-based amusement equipment: roller coasters, Ferris wheels, drop towers, mine trains, carousel rides, pendulum rides, pirate ships, rotating swings, observation towers, go-karts and racing attractions, bumper cars, wind tunnels, hot-air balloons, carnival rides, mountain amusement equipment, and more.
Water amusement equipment: rapid-river rides, water slides and chutes, wave pools, water play structures, surf simulators, sightseeing boats and yachts, hot springs and spas, and water-treatment equipment.
Digital technology and entertainment experiences: metaverse-based interactive entertainment, dome-screen cinemas, VR/AR content and hardware, wearable entertainment devices, interactive entertainment installations, AI robots, real-world gaming, digital visual effects, light-and-projection shows.
Sports, leisure, and entertainment equipment: non-powered equipment (indoor play structures, slides, trampolines, rope courses, inflatable structures, rock climbing walls, extreme-sport attractions), camping products, fitness and wellness equipment, sports and simulation games (basketball shooting machines, bowling alleys, soccer, baseball, shooting ranges), snow-based recreational equipment (refrigeration systems, snowmakers, ice-and-snow sports gear).
Educational, intellectual, and entertainment equipment: museum experience installations, educational robots, science-education exhibits, interactive entertainment multimedia, sandbox-game experience equipment, career-exploration devices, educational puzzle games.
Traditional electronic entertainment devices: arcade and electronic gaming machines (mini KTVs, dance machines, claw machines, vending machines, competitive gaming consoles, tokens, and more).
Best fit if you:
- Work in tourism and target the central China market
- Operate parks and need a dedicated pavilion for ride suppliers — do not expect the entire floor to be amusement-focused
- Want a CAAPA-format show in autumn 2026
4. AAA — the spring alternative to GTI
Dates: May 10–12, 2027
Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex (Canton Fair Complex), Guangzhou
Key figures:
- 110,000 sq.m of exhibition space
- Thousands of international visitors
- High share of deals closed on-site
AAA uses the same Canton Fair Complex as GTI, but runs in May, at the start of the business season. Choose it when your procurement cycle sits in the first half of the year.
AAA 2026 already took place. Most exhibitors closed deals on the spot.
Best fit if you:
- Need equipment before the summer season
- Missed GTI in the autumn
- Want a second meeting with the same supplier base
5. TFPS — the parallel expo with AAA
Dates: May 10–12, 2027 (parallel with AAA)
Venue: Canton Fair Complex, Guangzhou
Key figures:
- 300+ exhibitors and co-exhibitors
- 370+ invited buyers
- 30,000+ professional audience
- 43,820+ total audience
- 50,925,000+ RMB — on-site turnover (previous year results)
- More than 30 countries and regions participating
TFPS runs trade negotiations and public-facing programs on the same floor.
For professionals (B2B):
- Access to big data
- Multi-format business meetings
- Professional events alongside the expo
- Maintaining client relationships
For the public (B2C):
- Brand awareness growth
- Presentation of new tourism products
- Interactive experience and audience feedback
- First insights into consumer preferences
Why AAA and TFPS are a powerful combination
Both shows run at the same time in the same venue (Canton Fair Complex). One May trip covers both:
| AAA | TFPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Attractions, amusement parks, game equipment | Tourism equipment, park attractions |
| Audience | B2B (industry professionals) | B2B + B2C (professionals + general public) |
| Key advantage | International buyers | Direct contact with end consumers |
Worth combining if you:
- Need business buyers and end-visitor feedback in one visit
- Buy for the first half of the year
- Depend on park-visitor reaction before scaling a product
6. IAAPA Expo Asia — the international standard
2026: Hong Kong (already held)
2027: June 28 – July 1, Osaka, Japan
IAAPA Expo Asia 2026 in Hong Kong results:
The show drew 5,447 confirmed visitors and 3,655 qualified buyers from 2,522 companies. Theme of the year: "Pursue the Wonder".
Key events:
- Opening ceremony with Rosanna Law, Hong Kong Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism
- Reception at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
- EDUTours at Kai Tak Sports Park, Ocean Park Hong Kong, and Kidztopia Hong Kong
- Industry speakers: Marilyn Tam (Hong Kong Tourism Board) and Su Zhigang (Chairman of Chimelong Group)
Already booked for Osaka 2027:
- 216 companies have reserved 5,130 sq.m of exhibition space
IAAPA is less a pure procurement hall and more a working circuit of education, research, and operator contacts:
- Educational sessions from industry leaders
- Research and analytics
- Access to an international community of operators and investors
Best for:
- Amusement park operators
- Industry investors
- Teams that need market direction as much as product sourcing
Comparison table: all China expos
| GTI | CAE Zhengzhou | CAE | AAA | TFPS | IAAPA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Sep 10–12, 2026 | Oct 21–23, 2026 | Mar 17–19, 2027 | May 10–12, 2027 | May 10–12, 2027 | Jun 28 – Jul 1, 2027 |
| Venue | Guangzhou | Zhengzhou | Beijing | Guangzhou | Guangzhou | Osaka |
| Area | 110,000+ sq.m | 45,000+ sq.m | — | 110,000 sq.m | — | 5,130 sq.m |
| Exhibitors | 800+ | 500+ | 1,683 | — | 300+ | 300+ |
| Visitors | 150,000+ | 50,000 | 101,414 | Thousands | 43,820+ | 5,447 |
| Format | B2B | B2B | B2B | B2B | B2B + B2C | B2B |
| Focus | Manufacturing, procurement | Tourism (+ attractions pavilion) | Northern China, CAAPA | Procurement (early season) | Tourism + feedback | Networking, education |
| For whom | Suppliers, buyers | Operators, buyers | Operators, investors | Buyers | Manufacturers + marketers | Operators, investors |
How to choose between expos in China
| If you... | Your expo |
|---|---|
| Need the maximum number of suppliers | GTI China Expo (September) |
| Target the northern China market | China Attractions Expo (March, Beijing) |
| Need CAAPA format in autumn 2026 and want the attractions pavilion inside a tourism expo | CAE Zhengzhou (October, Zhengzhou) |
| Plan purchases for the first half of the year | AAA + TFPS (May, two expos in one trip) |
| Want to test a product on a real audience | TFPS (May, B2C format) |
| Want to enter the international market as an operator | IAAPA Expo Asia (Osaka, June 2027) |
| Want to attend two expos in one year | AAA/TFPS (May) + GTI (September) — two trips to Guangzhou |
| Have a budget for only one trip | GTI China Expo — the densest option |
Bonus: International expos
If you've already explored China, add these dates for Thailand, Indonesia, and Europe: TAAPE in Bangkok, FUN ASIA in Jakarta, and IAAPA Expo Europe in London.
TAAPE Bangkok — your entry ticket to ASEAN
Dates: October 29–31, 2026
Venue: IMPACT Exhibition Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
Key figures:
- 400 exhibitors
- 18,000+ professional visitors from 30+ countries
- Held annually, 6th edition
Thailand is officially considering the first Disneyland in Southeast Asia under its national development strategy through 2037.
Other market signals:
- Meland is opening its first overseas park in Bangkok
- HarborLand has launched in Kuala Lumpur
- Nickelodeon Playtime — first center in Jakarta
- Genting Singapore is expanding its water park next to S.E.A. Aquarium
Use TAAPE when you want direct ASEAN distribution, not a handoff through Chinese intermediaries.
FUN ASIA Expo — the largest in Indonesia
Dates: August 5–6, 2026
Venue: Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo), Jakarta
Key figures:
- 100+ innovative manufacturers
- Attractions, water parks, game equipment
Indonesia is Southeast Asia's largest economy: GDP over $1 trillion, population above 270 million, and Jakarta alone at 11+ million. Middle-class growth is lifting demand for family entertainment.
Attend if you are testing Indonesia or searching for local distributors.
IAAPA Expo Europe 2026 — London
Education: September 21–25, 2026
Show floor: September 22–24, 2026
Venue: London, United Kingdom
IAAPA Expo Europe is the association’s European stop for operators, suppliers, and investors. Education runs across five days; the trade show floor is open for three. Use it when Europe is your primary market or when you want operator contacts beyond Asia.
Bottom line: expo calendar for 2026–2027
| Month | Expo | City | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | FUN ASIA | Jakarta | Entry into Indonesia |
| September 2026 | GTI China Expo | Guangzhou | Main expo of the year |
| September 2026 | IAAPA Expo Europe | London | European network + education |
| October 2026 | CAE Zhengzhou | Zhengzhou | Tourism; attractions in a dedicated pavilion |
| October 2026 | TAAPE | Bangkok | Entry into ASEAN |
| March 2027 | China Attractions Expo | Beijing | Northern China, CAAPA |
| May 2027 | AAA + TFPS | Guangzhou | Two expos in one trip + B2C contact |
| June 2027 | IAAPA Expo Asia | Osaka | Global networking |
Start with GTI China Expo if you can make only one trip: densest supplier floor. For the CAAPA ecosystem in autumn 2026, consider CAE Zhengzhou — but note it is primarily a tourism expo, with the Entertainment Experience Equipment pavilion as a targeted block for ride buyers. For northern China, book China Attractions Expo in Beijing in March. For first-half buying, book AAA + TFPS in May. Add TAAPE or FUN ASIA once China sourcing is already in place. Choose IAAPA Osaka when the priority is global operator networks and market direction, not sheer supplier volume. Add IAAPA Expo Europe in London if Europe is your next market.