INTERMODELLBAU 2026: Where model building comes to life

Interactive world of experiences for model-building fans and the whole family.

Experience technology, create things yourself, get creative – at INTERMODELLBAU, a visit to the trade fair becomes a complete hands-on experience. Technology, craftsmanship and imagination come together in the exhibition halls in Dortmund starting on 16 April. Whether families, beginners or long-time model-building professionals: at INTERMODELLBAU you can build, fly, drive, craft and test. The event program is now available online and is continuously being expanded. Here is a first preview.

Dortmund, 10 March 2026 – Visitors can now find an overview online, where a convenient filter function makes it easy to search.

Model railway experience
With leading manufacturers and retailers as well as numerous impressive display layouts from Germany and abroad, the model railway area is one of the annual crowd-pullers at the INTERMODELLBAU. At many stands, visitors can also try things out themselves. At the stand of PIKO Spielwaren GmbH, young visitors can test a model railway track and even design their own wagon creatively. In the craft garden of Viessmann Modelltechnik GmbH, visitors can cut, glue and build as well. And in Hall 8 it’s even possible to climb aboard: the Dampfmodellbaufreunde NRW are bringing their miniature steam locomotive – rides are allowed for a small contribution to costs.

Take off and dive in: action in hall 3
Have you ever controlled a flying ball? The drone soccer team of Modellflugjugend Ostalb e.V. invites visitors aged ten and over to try this fast-paced team sport. Also taking part are MFSD youth national players Annika Keib and Melissa Keib, who represented Germany at the first world championship of this sport in Shanghai just a few months ago, finishing fifth as the best European team.

Next door, at the flying area of the Deutscher Modellflieger Verband (DMFV), daily flight shows take place. Visitors can even compete themselves at the INTERMODELLBAU Skycart Masters. Also available at the DMFV stand: build your own glider and take a seat in the flight simulator.

Right next door, a 500-square-meter water basin delights visitors. Children can build their own mini-boat here and test it directly on the water. Those who wish can even take the “captain’s test” and earn their model-building captain’s certificate.

Full speed ahead: racing action in halls 5 and 6
Everything here revolves around speed and skill. At Carrera Revell Europe GmbH, legendary Carrera races and an RC car test track await visitors. Off-road fans can try steering their own or provided RC trophy vehicles across rugged terrain at the stand of SHERPA Trophy. Models can also be extensively tested on the Traxxas course, while Kyosho Europe provides its own race track.

True professionals will demonstrate their skills every day on the large racetrack of the Deutscher Minicar Club e.V. (DMC). But visitors can also take the wheel themselves – on the children’s off-road track with short-course buggies (1:16) at the DMC stand.

The mini-Truck-Club Recklinghausen e.V. celebrates its 40th anniversary and invites children to earn a mini-truck driver’s license. On an 81-square-meter course, participants must complete a driving challenge without mistakes – those who succeed receive their license. At the stand of IG Blaulicht-Modellautos, creative emergency vehicles from police cars to fire engines are built.

Interaction in all the halls
Beyond racetracks, flight areas and model railway worlds, the INTERMODELLBAU invites visitors to join in everywhere. Practical live workshops on cardboard model building provide valuable insights into techniques and materials.

At Schäfer Toy Company GmbH, visitors can become active themselves as Brixies product testers and build their own brick models. Meanwhile, Werner Nowotny, who presents his detailed fairground made of building bricks in Hall 8, will also set up a building corner where especially young visitors can let their creativity run free.

This year also marks the premiere of tabletop gaming. The association Die Würfelgötter e.V. is bringing this multifaceted miniature world to the fair for the first time and inviting visitors not only to watch but to participate directly: they can build and paint miniatures and then try them out in their first game scenarios.

More display layouts confirmed
Alongside exhibitors, interactive activities and workshops, the elaborately designed display layouts from Germany and abroad are among the highlights that captivate INTERMODELLBAU visitors. More impressive layouts have been confirmed – some of which invite visitors not only to marvel but also to participate.

For example, the Eisenbahnclub Rhein-Sieg e.V. is bringing its H0-scale layout “Siegtal/Aggertal.” The single- and double-track layout is inspired by real-life railway scenes from Germany’s low mountain ranges. Along the tracks, visitors will discover a brewery, a reservoir with power generation, a fairground and a replica of the Moselle bridge in Bullay. To involve visitors, the display includes push buttons that set figures in motion. Under supervision, they can even operate a station or drive a train themselves.

The Modelspoorgroup Ijsselland from the Netherlands will also travel to Dortmund to present its layout in Germany for the first time, showcasing a typical Dutch landscape. Meanwhile, the association De Bimmelbahner will bring a true-to-scale replica of a section of the historic Preßnitztal Railway in the Ore Mountains. The layout depicts the former shortest industrial rail connection in the GDR, known as the “Wolf” connection. The H0e-scale display is built on two connected segment boxes, and even the trains are meticulously modeled after their real-life counterparts.

Secure your tickets now
Anyone who doesn’t want to miss these highlights can already secure tickets for the INTERMODELLBAU online – including family tickets – via the official online shop.