SEMA Show 2027: Dates and Who Can Attend
Let us be plain from the start: the SEMA Show is a trade event. It is not an open-to-everyone car show where you can buy a ticket and wander in. If you are an enthusiast who just wants to see cars, there are better choices. If you work in the automotive aftermarket, it is one of the most important weeks of your year.
When and where is it? SEMA's website lists the 2026 show for November 3 to 6, 2026, and the 2027 show for November 2 to 5, 2027, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, Nevada. That makes the 2027 dates announced by the organiser, as shown on its site at time of writing.
Who can attend? The SEMA site describes the show as a trade-only event. The same page says that for 2026 the show is open to the general public only on Friday, November 6, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. No public-day policy for 2027 had been published at time of writing, so do not assume the same arrangement will apply. If you want to attend, read the attendee requirements on the official site and register through it before you travel.
What is it for? A trade show is a place where businesses meet. Manufacturers show new parts and accessories, shops and retailers meet suppliers, and builders look for sponsors and partners. For an owner or builder, the main attraction is seeing the vehicles and products that will shape what you see on the road and at shows in the following year. For a business, it is a place to find customers and suppliers.
Who does it suit? People who work in or around the automotive aftermarket: shop owners, builders, parts makers, retailers and media. It can also suit organisers of large shows who want to meet sponsors and vendors, and who are eligible to attend under SEMA's rules. If you are not in the trade, check whether a public day is offered before you plan a trip around it.
How should you plan? Register early through the official site. Las Vegas hotels fill up and prices rise around large conventions, so book your lodging as soon as your dates are set, and check whether you can stay near a convention centre shuttle route. Plan your days: the convention centre is huge, and a list of exhibitors you want to see will save you hours. Wear comfortable shoes, carry business cards if you are attending as a business, and bring a power bank.
Tips for first-timers. Set a goal for each day before you arrive, such as meeting three suppliers or seeing a type of product. Walk the halls with a plan and leave time for unplanned discoveries. Do not expect a casual car-show atmosphere: it is a working event. If you mainly want to see cars and talk with owners, see our guide to Goodguys events at /discover/blog/goodguys-nationals-2027, and for big flea-market and brand shows, see /discover/blog/carlisle-car-shows-2027. If you run a show and want to find sponsors, see /discover/guides/car-show-sponsors.
If you attend as a business, preparation is what separates a productive show from an exhausting one. Before you go, review the exhibitor list, book appointments with the companies you most want to see, and decide which halls matter most. Bring a simple way to capture contacts and notes, whether business cards or a phone app. Pace yourself too: convention days are long, and a rested visitor makes better decisions at the end of the day than a tired one. Afterwards, follow up promptly while the conversation is fresh, and keep a short note of what each supplier offered so you can compare them later. For hobbyists, the best way to enjoy the show's influence is often to watch for the products and builds it inspires over the following year.
Running your own show? Car Show Expert handles registration, check-in and judging, and has tools for managing sponsors and vendors. Create a free account at /sign-up or try the demo at /demo.
Dates and attendance rules are as shown on the SEMA Show website at time of writing and can change. Confirm with SEMA before you plan your trip.