Learntec 2027 returns to Messe Karlsruhe on 2-4 February with Europe's leading digital-education fair and convention: AI, EdTech platforms, school and corporate learning.
Dates
2–4 Feb 2027
City / country
Karlsruhe, Germany
Venue
Messe Karlsruhe
Time
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Event overview
Learntec is Europe's leading trade fair and convention for digital education, and the 2027 edition returns to the start of the year at Messe Karlsruhe. From 2 to 4 February, some 340 exhibitors and a congress programme across three halls show how schools, universities and companies are rebuilding learning around AI, platforms and immersive media.
Buyers come from school authorities, HR and L&D teams, IT leadership and higher education. A paid convention runs alongside the exhibition, with theme areas for school, university, corporate learning, AR/VR and start-ups, plus the co-located NEW WORK EVOLUTION.
TL;DR
Three days cover the whole digital-education buying map in one campus: LMS and authoring platforms, AI tutoring and assessment tools, VR labs, school hardware and campus infrastructure. Because 79% of the 2026 audience were decision-makers and 69% came from corporate learning, conversations move quickly to budget, procurement and pilot scope. The convention adds practitioner case studies from schools, universities and enterprises, and the app lets you pre-book meetings before you travel.
Learntec is the DACH region's first major education gathering of the year, which puts you in front of buyers while training budgets and school investment plans are being set. Exhibitors reach school authorities, headteachers, university IT, HR and L&D leadership in a single hall circuit, and the start-up and AR/VR areas give smaller vendors a lower-cost route in. The 2026 edition drew exhibitors from 20 countries and visitors from 34, with strong repeat participation.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
3Messeallee 1, 76287 Rheinstetten, Germany
Entrances & gates
Main Entrance
Shuttle bus from Karlsruhe main station arrives here; DRK wheelchair loan is arranged at this entrance.
Entrance West
Business Centre and premium Wi-Fi purchase are located here.
P1 and P3/Peter-Gross-Bau are the LEARNTEC car parks; around 7,000 spaces in two car parks plus VIP/press. EUR 9 per day booked online, EUR 10 at the box office.
7,000 spaces · €9.00/day
Free wheelchair loan (no electric drive, subject to availability) arranged through the DRK on 0721 3720 5230; choose the main entrance. A lift-equipped 'toilet for everyone' is open during show hours.
Staffed checkroom on the exhibition grounds, EUR 2 per item of clothing and EUR 3 per item of luggage.
Lockers in the basement need a EUR 1 deposit coin; digital LiveLockers sit on the left of the main entrance and can be reserved at live-locker.com.
12 of the 24 LiveLockers at the main entrance carry a 220V socket plus USB-A/USB-C charging (combined 18W) for EUR 5 per day; four EV chargers (type 2, up to 22 kW) are in car park P1 at EUR 6.
Free shuttle bus between Karlsruhe main station and the fair's main entrance, about 20 minutes; the S2 tram also stops at Messe/Leichtsandstraße.
Food options
Trade-fair campus catering
On-site diningParking: Two on-site car parks plus a VIP/press car park hold about 7,000 cars; use P1 or P3/Peter-Gross-Bau for LEARNTEC and buy the parking ticket in the online ticket shop for EUR 9 per day (EUR 10 at the on-site box office).
Gate: Main entrance (Haupteingang) is the reference point for badge collection, wheelchair loan and the shuttle from Karlsruhe main station; Entrance West houses the Business Centre.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Trade fair 1-day ticket
Sneak price online until 30 Nov 2026; EUR 50 early bird (1 Dec 2026-11 Jan 2027), EUR 75 online from 12 Jan 2027, EUR 95 on site. Includes 19% VAT.
Trade fair reduced 1-day ticket
Pupils, students, apprentices, jobseekers, pensioners, people with disabilities and public-sector staff; proof checked at the entrance. EUR 35 on site.
Trade fair 3-day ticket
Sneak price until 30 Nov 2026; EUR 95 early bird, EUR 110 online, EUR 150 on site.
Quick Visit ticket (fair from 14:00)
Valid for the trade fair from 2 pm; EUR 40 from 12 Jan 2027 and on site.
Convention 1-day ticket
Includes fair access, lunch and break refreshments; EUR 490 early bird, EUR 590 online, EUR 690 on site.
Convention 3-day ticket
EUR 790 early bird, EUR 1,190 online, EUR 1,390 on site.
Child 0-14
Free of charge in every price phase.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Print the ticket or show it in the LEARNTEC app; the same email address used for the ticket unlocks the app and the talque event platform.
Ticket notes
Tickets cover the trade fair and the co-located NEW WORK EVOLUTION. All prices include 19% German VAT; prepayment-invoice purchase closes 14 days before the event.
What's on
NEW WORK EVOLUTION
Co-located event on new ways of working; admission is included in LEARNTEC trade-fair and convention tickets.
Runs alongside the trade fair on the Messe Karlsruhe campus.
WebsiteHow the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 11,000
Exhibitors: 340
Floor area: 27,000 sqm
Edition #: 33
Exhibitor countries: 20
Visitor countries: 34
This edition
2027
Visitors: 11,000
Exhibitors: 340
Floor area: 27,000 sqm
Next edition
2028
No 2028 dates have been announced; the organiser has committed to the start-of-year window as a long-term framework, so the next edition is expected in late January or early February 2028.
Continuation of the February slot announced in 2026
Edition recap
LEARNTEC 2026 ran for the 33rd time from 5 to 7 May 2026 at Messe Karlsruhe, with school@LEARNTEC moving into Hall 2 and a revised hall and stage layout.
New this edition
February slot returns
The 2027 edition moves back to the start of the year, ahead of the spring dates used since the pandemic.
SourceHall 2 for school@LEARNTEC
The school theme area was moved into Hall 2 and the hall and stage layout reworked for better visitor flow.
SourceMasterclasses
A small-group format introduced in 2026 for deep-dive sessions alongside the main convention.
SourceImpact
The February move matters more than a date change. It puts Learntec ahead of the German school and corporate budget cycle, so exhibitors meet buyers while training plans and school investment lists are still open rather than after spring commitments are made.
Audience quality
The 2026 audience was senior and national: 79% decision-makers, 69% from corporate and professional learning, 20% from schools and 11% from higher education, with 33.3% travelling more than 300 km. That mix suits vendors selling platforms and services rather than low-cost classroom consumables.
Exhibitor outcomes
A 9 sqm shell stand costs roughly EUR 3,750 plus fees, and three nights of mid-range accommodation around EUR 500-650. Against that, a single public-sector or enterprise contract covers the spend; the return depends on booking meetings through the app before arrival rather than relying on walk-up traffic.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Germany's digital-pact funding and corporate reskilling budgets meet in one hall. Learntec is the first major European education trade fair of the calendar year, so the products launched here set the comparison set for school, university and corporate buyers across the DACH region.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
AI moves from demo to procurement
Buyers now ask for data-processing terms, model training transparency and measurable learning outcomes rather than a chatbot demo. Vendors that can show GDPR-compliant deployment inside an LMS or school platform are shortlisted first.
What it changes: AI features are becoming a baseline requirement in tenders, so a stand without a clear AI roadmap looks dated to school and corporate buyers.
Skills-based corporate learning
HR teams are rebuilding onboarding, compliance and upskilling around skills taxonomies and internal talent marketplaces, which pulls learning platforms closer to HR systems and workforce planning.
What it changes: Learning budgets are shifting from content libraries to platforms that connect to HR data, changing which exhibitors get meetings.
Teacher workload and school infrastructure
School authorities are prioritising tools that reduce teacher admin, plus device management, connectivity and data protection that fit public procurement rules.
What it changes: School buyers arrive with framework contracts and long approval cycles, so exhibitors need public-sector evidence, not just product polish.
Learntec anchors the start of the year in the DACH market. Buyers comparing vendors usually pair it with Bett in London for the UK and international view, didacta for the German school-supply market, and OEB for European policy and higher education.
Q1 2027
Three overlapping buying moments inside six weeks; pick one as the anchor and use the others for follow-up meetings.
Q4 2027
Policy and university-focused wrap-up of the year.
Circuit rows are planning guidance from known event calendars, not organiser-confirmed 2027 dates.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Frankfurt Airport
Long-haul hub with the most direct intercontinental connections; direct ICE trains run to Karlsruhe in roughly an hour.
about 130 km
to venue
70-85 min by train to Karlsruhe Hbf plus shuttle
by car
Stuttgart Airport
Useful for southern German and Austrian connections; rail via Stuttgart Hbf to Karlsruhe.
about 120 km
to venue
75-90 min by train
by car
Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport
Small regional airport served by low-cost carriers; best for short-haul European routes.
about 40 km
to venue
40-50 min by road
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 95–140 / night
Simple rooms within a tram ride of the fair; book early because the February date overlaps school-holiday travel.
USD 150–220 / night
Walkable to restaurants and the palace garden; 15-20 minutes to Messe by tram or taxi.
USD 230–340 / night
Larger rooms and meeting space for exhibitor teams; a few Rheinstetten hotels sit closest to the fairground.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Tram
KVV tickets are valid across tram and bus; a trade-fair ticket does not include public transport.
Shuttle bus
Runs during show days and takes about 20 minutes.
Taxi / ride-hail
Useful for exhibitor teams with freight samples; allow extra time on the first morning.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay business visa (Type C) | Visitors from countries without a Schengen visa-waiver agreement, including India, China, Turkey and most of Africa and the Middle East | $90.00 | 15 calendar days typical, up to 45 in busy periods |
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens travel freely; UK, US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese and South Korean passport holders can visit Schengen for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa.
Germany accepts ATA Carnets for professional equipment and display goods; confirm the specific tariff code with your freight forwarder.
Official visa pageWeather
Early February in Karlsruhe is cold and often grey: daytime highs of 3-7°C, night frosts near 0°C and a realistic chance of rain or light snow. Indoor halls are warm, so dress in layers.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Free WLAN is available across the campus for registered LEARNTEC app users, capped at 8 Mbit/s per device; premium Wi-Fi can be bought online or at the Business Centre near Entrance West.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Punctuality and formal address
Meetings start on time and first contact usually uses Herr/Frau plus surname; switch to first names only when the other side offers it.
Sunday closures
Most shops close on Sundays, and many restaurants in central Karlsruhe keep limited Sunday hours, so plan meals around the fair or book ahead.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: FRA (Frankfurt) or STR (Stuttgart); FKB for short-haul
Book six to eight weeks out; rail legs to Karlsruhe are separate and cheaper when bought as a Sparpreis ticket.
Schengen rules apply: EU/EEA and Swiss passport holders travel freely, and UK, US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese and South Korean visitors can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Other nationalities need a Type C business visa before travel.
Estimated cost: USD 90 visa fee plus travel to the consulate
Processing: 15 calendar days typical; apply at least six weeks before the show
Carry the ticket confirmation and a hotel booking with the application.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: FRA to Karlsruhe Hbf by direct ICE in about an hour, then the free trade-fair shuttle or tram S2 to Messe/Leichtsandstraße.
Hotel → venue: Tram S2 from the city centre takes about 20 minutes; taxi about 15-20 minutes.
Ride-hail: Uber and local taxi apps operate in Karlsruhe, but supply is thin on show mornings; book ahead or use the tram.
Public transit: KVV tram and bus network, fare zone 100 covers the city and the fairground; single rides around EUR 3.
Parking: P1 and P3/Peter-Gross-Bau, about 7,000 spaces, EUR 9 per day booked online or EUR 10 at the box office.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: February
Temperature: 0°C to 7°C
Seasonality: Mixed rain and light snow are common; February is one of the colder, greyer months.
Packing: Warm coat, waterproof shoes and layers for warm halls; an umbrella for the walk from the tram stop.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Wednesday 3 February 2027
Tuesday is the busiest opening day and Thursday closes at 16:00 with exhibitors packing down. Wednesday keeps a full 09:00-17:00 day, the convention is in full swing and meetings are easier to hold once the opening rush has passed.
Book the trade-fair or convention ticket in the online shop — Sneak and early-bird phases end 30 Nov 2026 and 11 Jan 2027 respectively.
Confirm hotel and rail or flight to Karlsruhe — February is low season but the show fills central hotels.
Build a shortlist of exhibitors and request app meetings — The talque platform opens the programme and exhibitor list before the show.
Print tickets, check visa or ID and plan the tram or shuttle route — Free shuttle from Karlsruhe Hbf takes about 20 minutes.
Set an agenda with hall order and convention sessions — Halls 1-3 are walkable; leave 20 minutes between halls at peak times.
Registration and badge collection at the main entrance
Main Entrance, Messe KarlsruheSupplier meetings in Hall 1 and Hall 2
Halls 1-2Lunch and informal follow-up with two vendors
Campus catering, entrance foyerConvention keynote and school@LEARNTEC sessions
Convention stage, Hall 2AR/VR area walk-through and start-up pods
AR/VR Area and Hall 3Karlsruhe Palace and palace garden
City Landmark
15 minutes by tram from the main station
Baroque palace housing the Badisches Landesmuseum, with a 300-year-old garden for a short walk after the show.
Baden-Baden thermal baths
Spa Town
about 60 km, 40 minutes by train
Caracalla and Friedrichsbad spas are a traditional winter recovery day after three days on a trade-fair floor.
LEARNTEC evening event
official networking
Held during the show week; check the app for venue and ticket details.
Hotel bars around Marktplatz
informal
Central Karlsruhe has a compact bar and restaurant cluster within walking distance of the mid-range hotels.
Learntec leads cool quickly: the same buyers walk the same halls at didacta and Bett within weeks, so the first follow-up should land before they compare notes with competitors.
Budget
Shell scheme
EUR 416–466 / m²
Raw space
EUR 304–364 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Prices per sqm, excluding 19% VAT. Add AUMA EUR 0.60 per sqm, marketing fee EUR 399, utilities EUR 9.50 per sqm and EUR 109 for a 1 Mbit connection. Minimum stand 9 sqm.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · 9 sqm shell scheme
USD 4050–4545 / per booth
hotel
both · mid
USD 555–660 / 3 nights
per_diem
both · standard
USD 195–260 / 3 days
flight
visitor · economy return from London
USD 200–360 / per person
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | 9 sqm shell scheme | USD 4050–4545 / per booth | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 555–660 / 3 nights | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| per_diem | both | standard | USD 195–260 / 3 days | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| flight | visitor | economy return from London | USD 200–360 / per person | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six quick questions to see whether Learntec 2027 is a visit, an exhibit or a skip for your team.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your main reason for considering Learntec 2027?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have budget approval for 2027 and at least five vendors to compare.
Best for
Buyers with a live learning-platform, AI or campus project who need to compare vendors and sit in convention sessions.
Min. budget
$900.00
Timeline
Book 6-8 weeks out for flights and hotels; ticket prices rise from 12 Jan 2027.
Risks
Three days is not enough without a pre-booked meeting list
Convention seats fill on keynotes
exhibit
You can staff the stand for three days and follow up within 48 hours.
Best for
EdTech vendors, publishers and training providers selling into DACH schools, universities or corporate L&D.
Min. budget
$6,500.00
Timeline
Book space by late 2026; stand design and freight need 90 days.
Risks
February weather can delay freight
Lead quality depends on pre-booked meetings
skip
Neither visiting nor exhibiting fits this year's plan.
Best for
Teams with no 2027 budget or no DACH education focus.
Timeline
Revisit in Q3 2027 for the next cycle.
Risks
Missing the first major European education fair of the year
Competitors may set the agenda without you
Book with
Messe Karlsruhe
Trade-fair centre in Rheinstetten on the southern edge of Karlsruhe, home to Learntec for more than 30 years.
Venue operator and organiser group.
Lufthansa
Frankfurt hub carrier with direct long-haul flights into FRA, the main gateway for international Learntec visitors.
Route guidance only; not an announced show partner.
IHK Karlsruhe
Regional chamber supporting companies in Karlsruhe and the surrounding region, a useful contact for German market entry.
Regional business body; no partnership announced for 2027.
Didacta Verband e.V.
German association of the education industry, representing EdTech and school-supply companies across the DACH market.
Sector association; not named as an official Learntec partner.
Recommended providers
Check the Schengen business-visa checklist and book a consulate slot early.
Official city booking portal with hotel availability for show dates.
Direct long-haul to Frankfurt, then ICE to Karlsruhe; compare with STR for southern routes.
Freight and customs broker for stand materials; confirm the 2027 handler in the exhibitor manual.
Public liability and travel cover; exhibitors must show liability insurance to the venue.
Palace, gardens and Baden-Baden day trips bookable locally.
Official event platform and app used for exhibitor listings and meeting requests.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
8 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
5
References
1
Publishers
5
Date checked
Karlsruher Messe- und Kongress GmbH
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