HUNT & DOG 2026: Europe's Largest Hunting Fair in Focus

<p>From January 27 to February 1, 2026, the Dortmund exhibition grounds will once again transform into the meeting point for the international hunting and outdoor industry. HUNT & DOG is considered Europe's largest hunting fair – and this year it's making headlines not only with new equipment, but also with a controversial debate about trophy hunting offers.</p>

<h2>A Trade Meeting Place with Impressive Dimensions</h2> <p>The numbers speak for themselves: More than 700 exhibitors from 36 countries present their new products across around 27,000 square meters – from binoculars to hunting knives to off-road vehicles. The organizers expect around 79,000 visitors who want to learn about the latest trends and products in the hunting world in Dortmund. Weapons manufacturers showcase their current models, high-seat builders present new designs, and expert lectures provide practical knowledge for hunters.</p> <p>This year's fixed program highlights also include the German Championship of Deer Callers, where participants compete for the best imitation of the deer call – a crowd-puller that impressively underscores the connection between trade fair and hunting culture. The offer is complemented by special areas such as the Knife Zone or the Fish & Angling section, which expand the fair's topic spectrum beyond classic hunting.</p>

<h3>New: B2B Lounge for the Trade</h3> <p>For the first time, HUNT & DOG offers an exclusive forum specifically for trade visitors, retailers and manufacturers with the B2B Lounge. The organizers are responding to the growing need for targeted networking within the industry – an offering that is intended to position the fair more strongly as a business platform while maintaining its public character.</p>

<h2>Hunting Booms in Germany</h2> <p>The crowds in Dortmund reflect a nationwide trend: According to the German Hunting Association, nearly 468,000 people in Germany now hold a hunting license – a new record value. Most hunting license holders live in North Rhine-Westphalia with nearly 100,000 people, corresponding to around six hunters per 1,000 inhabitants and exactly matching the federal average. This development also explains why Dortmund was chosen as the venue for Europe's largest hunting fair.</p>

<h2>Controversy Over Trophy Hunting Offers</h2> <p>In addition to equipment and expertise, the topic of trophy hunting traditionally generates discussions at HUNT & DOG. According to the conservation organization Pro Wildlife, more than 90 exhibitors at the fair offer trophy hunting trips for elephants, rhinos, lions, polar bears and numerous other species. The organization points to two new legal opinions claiming to prove that an exclusion of offerings that violate animal and species protection laws would be legally possible. Pro Wildlife therefore calls for a marketing ban for such offers at the event.</p> <p>Representatives from Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, who are also present at the fair, argue differently: They promote hunting trips as a regulated and sustainable part of local wildlife management as well as an important economic contribution for the local population. These conflicting positions illustrate how much the hunting industry oscillates between tradition preservation, nature conservation and economic interests – a tension that becomes visible at HUNT & DOG year after year.</p>

<h3>Creative Supporting Program</h3> <p>Beyond expert debates, the fair also focuses on creative formats: The photography competition "European Hunting Photo of the Year 2025" seeks emotional and authentic hunting motifs, with award-winning images displayed at the fair. With the satirical competition "Highway to Fail," HUNT & DOG also directs attention with a wink but serious undertones to poorly planned or pointless wildlife crossing aids – a contribution to the discussion on better wildlife protection in road traffic.</p>

<h2>Conclusion and Outlook</h2> <p>HUNT & DOG 2026 once again confirms its status as a central platform for the European hunting industry: With over 700 exhibitors from 36 countries, around 79,000 expected visitors and a broad range of topics from equipment to game cuisine, Dortmund remains the most important industry meeting place. At the same time, the ongoing debate about trophy hunting offers shows that the fair will continue to be a place where economic interests, tradition consciousness and species protection issues directly meet. How the organizers respond to demands for a marketing ban will likely significantly shape upcoming editions of HUNT & DOG.</p>