AXPONA 2026

The Analog Planet edit team is officially on its way to AXPONA 2026. We will be entrenched there at the Schaumburg Convention Center over the course of the next three days (technically four days, counting today!) alongside our esteemed colleagues at our sister site Stereophile, and we will be bringing you as many analog-centric show reports as we can — some during the show, time permitting, and many more after we get back.

In the meantime, here are the show stats, as a refresher. Now in its 17th year, AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) takes place April 10-12, 2026, at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois, offering three days of incredible sounds, technology, seminars, networking and the newest products in the industry including a new Pavilion and enhanced features for trade attendees.

AXPONA is the largest high-end audio show in North America, and it caters to dealers, distributors, and manufacturers, as well as music- and gear-loving consumers who can test, touch, and experience all that AXPONA has to offer: the aforementioned new ALTI Pavillion, the Hi-Fi Car Audio Showcase, over 220 listening rooms, an Expo Hall featuring the ever-popular Record Fair and Master Class Theater, a dedicated Ear Gear Experience featuring personal audio gear, a robust Seminar schedule, and Live Music nightly.

“After a hugely successful 2025 event, we are excited to once again converge in Chicago to bring together our exhibitors, partners, and attendees coming from over 48 US states and 45 countries,” said Liz Smith, AXPONA’s Show Director, in an official press statement. “AXPONA is the place to experience the most cutting-edge HiFi products from the most innovative and celebrated companies in the world, and we are always looking for ways to elevate the experience for our attendees. We’re thrilled to launch some new features in 2026 including the New ALTI Pavilion to grow our offering for the trade community.”

The Expo Hall, which is also home to the Record Fair, will showcase a vast array of turntables, cables, accessories, racks and stands, tonearms, cartridges, and new and vintage vinyl. Top manufacturers exhibiting in the Expo Hall this year will include Acoustic Sounds, Butcher Block Acoustics, Fern & Roby, SOTA Turntables, and many more. Besides visiting all those manufacturer booths, of course, I also have my LP wish list at the ready for RFR — i.e., “Record Fair Research.”

The best in high-end audio equipment and gear are also expected to be on display and/or on active (and passive) demo, in the 220-plus listening rooms onsite. Per official AXPONA phraseology, “Attendees are encouraged to experience listening rooms by listening and comparing the expertly engineered, high performance systems and components from the world’s most prestigious manufacturers.

In all, more than 750 global manufacturers, retailers, and brands will gather at AXPONA, including ATC Loudspeakers, Bel Canto, Cambridge Audio, Devialet, Focal Naim America, Gestalt Audio Design, Kanto Audio, Magico, Nordost, Pass Labs, Totem Acoustic, Vandersteen Audio, and YG Acoustics, all of whom will showcase the newest high-end products and services to attendees.

Open to the public, AXPONA offers a variety of ticket options for attendees: 1) 1 Day – $32 online, $40 onsite; 2) Multi-Day – $60 online, $75 onsite; and 3) Gen Z Pass – $15 online, $20 onsite. All general admission tickets grant access to the exhibits including the listening rooms and the Exhibit Hall, as well as educational seminars, live music, and special events.

AXPONA opens Friday, April 10, and runs from 10am-6pm. Saturday, April 11, it’s open from 10am-6pm; and on Sunday, April 12, it goes from 10am-4pm — all in Central time, that is.

For more information on AXPONA ticketing and ticketing options, please go here.

If you do make it to the show, please say hello! You’ll find me more often than not with my ever-present Amoeba Music bag slung over my shoulder, and/or at my feet whenever I’ve stopped to talk to industry reps and colleagues, listen to demo systems, or sift through LPs. Here’s to a great show, everyone!