Gaudeamus Praha 2027 | TradeShowIntel

Event overview

Overview

Gaudeamus Praha is the Czech Republic's largest fair for post-secondary study, held each January at PVA Expo Praha in Letňany. The 19th edition runs from 19 to 21 January 2027 in Halls 3 and 4, bringing more than 380 universities, colleges and education institutions from 15 countries onto one floor.

School-leavers compare degree programmes, admission requirements and study-abroad options, while teachers and career advisers use the Pedagogical Centre. Talks run in two lecture halls, and the Věda pro život programme shows what study and research actually look like.

Tickets cost 180 CZK, or 140 CZK for students who register online.

TL;DR

119-21 January 2027 at PVA Expo Praha, Halls 3 and 4.
2More than 380 universities, colleges and education institutions from 15 countries.
3Built for school-leavers, their parents, teachers and career advisers.
4Two lecture halls plus the Věda pro život interactive science programme.
5Tickets 180 CZK; 140 CZK for students who register online; teachers free after registration.

Why visit

One trip replaces weeks of school websites. In a single hall you can question admissions staff from Czech public universities, private colleges and foreign universities, compare entry requirements side by side, sit a study-aptitude test at the Testovací centrum and leave with a shortlist. Career advisers and the study-abroad centre answer the questions that matter most to 17- and 18-year-olds: which programme fits, what the entrance exam looks like and how to apply.

Why exhibit

Gaudeamus concentrates thousands of motivated school-leavers in three days, at the moment they choose where to apply. Exhibitors reach fourth- and third-year secondary students, their teachers and counsellors, and get a catalogue listing plus a profile on the Gaudeamus portal for the year. The organiser handles stand build, graphics, catering and lecture slots, so a recruitment team can focus on conversations rather than logistics.

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Visitor profile

Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

Czech secondary-school students in their third and fourth years, deciding what to study after the maturita.

Parents and guardians comparing study options, costs and admission chances with their children.

Secondary-school teachers and career counsellors organising group visits and seeking advisory materials.

University students and adults considering a second degree, a master degree or lifelong-learning courses.

Exhibitor profile

Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

Czech public universities and faculties recruiting bachelor and master students.

Private colleges, higher vocational schools (VOŠ) and language schools.

Foreign universities and study-abroad agencies building a Central European pipeline.

Education-service providers: housing, student finance, test preparation and career platforms.

Product categories

Key solution areas showcased across the event.

University and faculty study programmes

Higher vocational and language education

Study-abroad and exchange programmes

Admissions testing and career guidance

Student housing, finance and insurance

Lifelong-learning and professional courses

Location & Facilities

Venue

Open in Google Maps

Halls & areas

Hala 3Hala 4

PVA Expo Praha

PVA Expo Praha, Beranových 667, 199 00 Praha 9, Czech Republic

Entrances & gates

Vstup B

Hala 3Hala 4

Main pedestrian entrance for the fair; ticket sales and checks are in front of Hall III.

Facilities

Parking

Use car park P2 at the front of the venue; pay at the venue. Allow 10 minutes to walk to Vstup B.

On-site shuttle

A free shuttle links Letňany metro station (line C) with the venue entrance during show days.

Food options

Hall 3-4 refreshment stands

On-site dining

Parking: Visitor parking is on P2 in the front part of the PVA Expo grounds, a short walk from Hall III.

Gate: Pedestrian entry is through Vstup B into Hall III; ticket sales and ticket checks sit in front of the hall.

Attend

Entry & tickets

Event days & opening times

DayOpening hours

19 – 20 January 2027:8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

21 January 2027:8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Basic
Standard one-day admission.
CZK 180.00
Reduced (registered students)
Students who register at gaudeamus.cz before the show.
CZK 140.00
Teachers (registered)
Free entry after online registration.

Ticket info

Badge collection

Registered students show the confirmation e-mail, printed or on a phone, at the advisory stand to claim the reduced rate.

Ticket notes

Basic ticket 180 CZK, reduced 140 CZK for students who register online. Teachers enter free after registration. The venue box office accepts cash only; the printed and electronic school catalogue is included.

Who runs the show

Organisers

MP-Soft a.s.

Organiser

Email Website

Vysoké učení technické v Brně

Co-operating university partner

Website

What's on

Programme

Topic tracks

Choosing a Degree and Getting inStudying AbroadCareers, Skills and Lifelong Learning

Government supporters

Ministerstvo školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy České republiky(MŠMT)

Patronage · Czech Republic

Magistrát hlavního města Prahy(Prague City Hall)

Patronage of the Prague edition · Czech Republic

How the last edition performed

Previous edition

Last edition

2026

Completed

Visitors: 13,800

Exhibitors: 310

Edition #: 18

This edition

2027

Visitors: 20,500

Exhibitors: 380

Next edition

Not announced yet

Impact

A bigger and stronger platform

Gaudeamus Praha is the January anchor of the Czech education calendar. The organiser reports an average of 15,200 visitors and a record of 20,592, with 53% of visitors in their final secondary year and 35% in the year below. That mix puts the fair in front of students roughly six months before application deadlines, when shortlists are still being formed. For a university, three days here reaches a national pool that would otherwise take a term of school visits.

Audience quality

High-value decision-makers

The audience is narrow and intent-rich rather than broad: secondary students choosing a field, accompanied by teachers and parents. The 2026 edition drew more than 13,800 visitors and over 70 universities from abroad, and the 2027 edition is projected at more than 20,500. Because most visitors arrive in school groups, conversations are concentrated between 09:00 and 14:00; exhibitors should staff for peaks and keep a quieter slot for counsellor talks.

Exhibitor outcomes

Real business growth

Treat Gaudeamus as a recruitment pipeline, not a branding spend. A stand reaches students at the point of application, and a scan or sign-up captured on the day can be followed by an open-day invitation within 48 hours. Two levers improve return: a lecture slot (the organiser says up to 5,000 students attend talks over three days) and a Czech-language counsellor on the stand, because parents and teachers often make the final shortlist decision with the student.

Intelligence

Market context

Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

Central Europe

Why it matters

The Czech Republic has a large, decentralised higher-education sector: public universities, private colleges and vocational schools each run their own admissions. For families, comparing programmes means navigating dozens of websites and open days. Gaudeamus puts those institutions in one hall in January, before application deadlines, and adds study-abroad options that are increasingly part of a Czech school-leaver's shortlist.

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Demographic pressure is easing, competition for students is not

The number of Czech secondary graduates fluctuates by region, and universities compete harder for the same applicants, especially outside Prague. Recruitment teams are shifting budget from print to school visits, fairs and always-on digital campaigns, and they measure cost per qualified applicant rather than impressions.

What it changes: A national fair is one of the few places where a regional university can meet students from the whole country in three days.

Study abroad is moving from exception to shortlist item

Czech students increasingly compare domestic programmes with English-taught degrees in the Netherlands, Denmark, the UK and elsewhere. The 2026 Prague edition included more than 70 foreign universities, and the fair now runs a dedicated UK study counselling centre.

What it changes: Foreign universities and agencies can meet qualified, English-ready Czech students without opening a local office.

Employability and career counselling shape programme choice

Students and parents ask about graduate employment, internships and starting salaries earlier in the decision process. Fairs are adding career centres, aptitude testing and employer-linked programme showcases alongside traditional faculty stands.

What it changes: Exhibitors that lead with outcomes, not just curriculum, win more qualified conversations.

The Gaudeamus circuit and adjacent education fairs

October 2026 to January 2027

Gaudeamus runs a four-city Central European circuit, so a recruiter can follow the same student audience from October to January. Nitra opens the season in early November, Brno and Bratislava cover the Czech and Slovak autumn, and Prague anchors the January decision window.

6–8 Oct 2026

Gaudeamus Brno 2026

Brno, Czech Republic

Held annually in October at Brno Exhibition Centre; exact 2026 dates are circuit pattern and should be confirmed with the organiser.

website

13–14 Oct 2026

Gaudeamus Bratislava 2026

Bratislava, Slovakia

Held in October at Incheba Expo Bratislava; exact 2026 dates are circuit pattern and should be confirmed with the organiser.

website

3–4 Nov 2026

Gaudeamus Nitra 2026

Nitra, Slovakia

Dates printed on the Gaudeamus homepage; venue Agrokomplex Nitra.

website

Autumn 2026

Gaudeamus Nitra 2026Gaudeamus Brno 2026Gaudeamus Bratislava 2026

School-year opening and Slovak/Czech autumn recruitment.

January 2027

Gaudeamus Praha 2027

Final decision window before application deadlines.

Nitra dates from the official Gaudeamus homepage; other circuit dates follow the known annual pattern and are marked for confirmation.

Plan your trip

Travel & logistics

Local currency · CZK

Arrival airports

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

PRG

Václav Havel Airport Prague

Main international gateway; public transport to the venue takes about 50 minutes via metro line C to Letňany plus the free show shuttle.

18 km north-west of PVA Expo Praha

to venue

30-45 minutes by car or taxi

by car

PED

Pardubice Airport

Small regional airport with limited scheduled service; useful only for central-European connections and not recommended as the primary arrival point.

about 110 km east of Prague

to venue

1 hour 20 minutes by car

by car

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

budget

Praha 9 - Letňany / Čakovice

USD 75–105 / night

Closest cluster to the venue; Hotel Duo is the fair organiser's recommended hotel and sits at metro C Střížkov. Book early because school groups take blocks.

mid

Praha 6 - Dejvice / Praha 1

USD 120–180 / night

Good metro access to line C and central restaurants; 25-35 minutes to PVA Expo by public transport.

premium

Praha 1 - city centre / Praha 8

USD 210–320 / night

International-standard rooms for delegations and university leadership; 30-40 minutes by taxi to the venue.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Metro + free show shuttle

Estimated cost40 CZK single 90-minute ticket

Best forMetro line C to Letňany, then the free shuttle to the PVA Expo entrance

The shuttle runs during show days; allow 15 minutes for the connection and walk to Vstup B.

Taxi / ride-hail

Estimated cost600-900 CZK

Best forVáclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) to PVA Expo Praha

Use a metered taxi or a ride-hail app; agree the price before departure and allow 30-45 minutes in morning traffic.

Bus

Estimated cost40 CZK single 90-minute ticket

Best forPrague city buses to Letňany or Výstaviště Letňany

Routes 136, 140, 158, 185, 195, 209, 351, 375, 376 and 377 serve Letňany; the venue stop is Výstaviště Letňany.

Plan your trip

Visa & entry documents

Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

Visa required

ATA Carnet: accepted

Type	Who needs it	Fee	Processing
Schengen short-stay visa (type C)	Non-EU/EEA nationals without a visa-free arrangement, visiting for up to 90 days	$90.00	Usually 15 calendar days; allow 4-6 weeks in peak season

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a visa. Many other nationalities need a Schengen short-stay visa before travelling; check current rules with the Czech embassy or consulate.

An ATA carnet can cover temporary import of exhibition materials and professional equipment; confirm the goods list with Czech customs before shipping.

Official visa page

Weather

January in Prague is cold and often grey: daytime highs of 1-3°C, night-time lows around -4°C, with occasional snow and icy pavements. Indoor halls are heated, but queues at the entrance are outdoors.

Plan for the climate

Check temperatures and pack accordingly

Venue connectivity

Czech mobile data is cheap and fast on LTE/5G. EU roaming applies for visitors with EU SIM cards; PVA Expo halls have Wi-Fi for exhibitors but public coverage is limited, so a local data eSIM is useful.

Ride-hailing

Taxis

Public transit

Car rentals

Cultural notes

Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

Cash still matters at the venue

The PVA Expo box office accepts cash only for fair tickets. Carry some Czech koruna even if you pay by card elsewhere in Prague.

Punctuality and school-group rhythm

Czech school groups arrive early and leave by mid-afternoon. Exhibitors should be fully staffed by 08:30 and plan demos around 09:00-14:00.

Language

Czech is the working language of most stands. English is common among foreign universities and younger staff, but a Czech speaker converts far more parent questions.

Practical guides

Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

Flights

Destination: Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)

Book 6-10 weeks ahead for January; midweek flights are cheaper and avoid the Friday school-group surge.

Visa

Schengen short-stay visa for most non-EU visitors; EU/EEA and Swiss citizens travel freely.

Estimated cost: About USD 90 (80 EUR) for a Schengen type C visa

Processing: Usually 15 calendar days; allow 4-6 weeks

Apply in your country of residence before booking travel. A fair registration or exhibitor confirmation strengthens the application.

Official

Transport

Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

Airport → venue: Airport Express bus or taxi to the city, then metro line C to Letňany and the free show shuttle. Total 50-60 minutes by public transport.

Hotel → venue: From Praha 9 hotels, a 10-20 minute bus or taxi; from the centre, metro line C to Letňany plus the shuttle.

Ride-hail: Bolt and Uber operate in Prague; a cross-city trip typically costs 250-450 CZK.

Public transit: Buy a 90-minute ticket (40 CZK) from machines or the PID app; validate it on first boarding.

Parking: Visitor parking is at P2 at the front of the PVA Expo grounds; arrive before 09:00 on school-group days.

Weather

Plan and pack for the event climate.

Month: January

Temperature: -4°C to 3°C

Seasonality: Occasional snow and rain; pavements can be icy in the morning.

Packing: Warm coat, waterproof shoes and layers; indoor halls are heated but entrance queues are outside.

Plan your trip

Planning

Best day to visit: Wednesday 20 January 2027

Midweek draws the largest school-group blocks and the fullest lecture programme, and the hall stays open until 16:00. Tuesday is also strong but some groups travel on opening morning; Thursday closes at 15:00.

T-14

Shortlist 8-10 institutions and the programmes you want to compare — Use the Gaudeamus catalogue and check entry requirements before the visit.

T-10

T-7

Plan the journey and book a school-group slot if needed — Metro line C to Letňany plus the free shuttle; arrive by 09:00.

T-3

Print or save the registration e-mail and a floor shortlist — The box office takes cash only, so bring CZK for any on-site purchase.

T-1

Check the lecture timetable and pack questions for admissions staff — Write one question per institution: entry exam, fees, accommodation or graduate employment.

Sample visitor itinerary

Route-optimised day