The 2026 edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano garnered 316,342 visitors from 167 different countries.
Throughout the course of six days, the event featured 1,900 brands from 32 countries. The International Bathroom Exhibition and EuroCucina, together with FTK, Technology For the Kitchen, showcased industrial quality, technology, and new lifestyles. The percentage of international trade visitors, which stood at 68 per cent, was consistent with 2025.
The ranking of the top 20 foreign countries by number of attendances of operators reflected changes in the geographical distribution of demand. In absolute terms, China remained the largest source. A growing number of trade visitors came from Germany, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Poland, and France.
Compared to non-European markets, attendance of operators from the United States performed well, as did the United Kingdom. Outside the rankings, visitor numbers from both Canada were up by 28 per cent and Mexico also increased, while there was a strengthening of other regions, such as South Korea.
This growth was supported by a year-round programme of initiatives: from Expo Osaka 2025 to the three-year partnership with Art Basel Miami Beach and Hong Kong and B2B missions to India, the United States, Canada and China, to the Salone del Mobile’s first spin-off in Saudi Arabia, through to activities at the leading European hubs, from Paris to London, Berlin and Madrid.
This international presence was further acknowledged with the appointment of the Salone del Mobile.Milano as an Ambassador of Italian Design Worldwide, conferred by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, announced at the opening of the 64th edition of the event. The appointment forms part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ economic and cultural diplomacy policies and marks the start of a new phase of collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), formalized by the signing of the Framework Agreement with FederlegnoArredo.
This alliance aims to consolidate the presence of Italian design in key international markets, leveraging an integrated network of institutions, embassies and Italian Cultural Institutes. This isn’t surprising, given Italian furniture exports amount to approximately EUR 11 billion, making Italy the world’s fourth largest furniture exporter, according to CSIL. The furniture trade balance remains strongly positive, exceeding EUR 8 billion. Italy benefits from a good export diversification level, both in terms of destination markets and product mix, contributing to the sector’s resilience against localized shocks and changes in international demand.
Alongside the annual and biennial exhibitions, the 2026 edition also focused on new opportunities, using content and visions as tools for interpreting markets and design. With Salone Raritas – 28 galleries from 12 countries – curated by Annalisa Rosso, Editorial & Cultural Director, Advisor of Salone del Mobile, the Exhibition introduced a broader dialogue on the cultural value of design, placing uniqueness, research and experimentation at the centre. The curatorial masterplan for Salone Contract 2027, designed by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten / OMA, focused on a segment that goes beyond the logic of the product to engage with complex systems and a global market worth 68 billion euros.
There was also a marked presence of the younger generation: 8,057 Italian students, 6,361 foreign students and 700 designers under 35 from 39 countries at SaloneSatellite. Design lovers’ numbers increased to 37,431 this year, to whom the Salone dedicated 24 themed itineraries: a guide to help visitors find their way around, inviting them to discover new products and trends.
The Common Archive event saw 19 institutions, including major public and private archives, open their doors with over 50 guided tours and free talks, showcasing more than 150 historic architecture and design collections, part of the city’s heritage made accessible to the international public gathered in Milan for the event.
The next edition of Salone del Mobile.Milano will be its 65th edition, which will take place from April 13 to 18, 2027.
