Euro Bus Expo 2026: attendance grew 6% to +7,400 visitors, vehicle displays rise from 75 to 110

Euro Bus Expo 2026 attracted 7,421 industry professionals to Birmingham, recording a 6% increase in attendance compared with 2024 and hosting several bus and coach orders, vehicle launches and technology announcements.

Held at the NEC Birmingham from 3 to 5 November, the biennial exhibition featured 206 exhibitors, including 33 vehicle manufacturers, dealers and converters, with 110 buses, coaches, minibuses and midibuses on display, compared with 75 vehicles at the previous edition. The figures were released by Euro Bus Expo organiser Diversified Communications UK in its post-event statement dated 11 November.

The exhibition also hosted 25 conference sessions, eight industry roundtables and an Innovation Challenge featuring 20 entries.

The next Euro Bus Expo is scheduled for 7–9 November 2028 at the NEC Birmingham. According to Diversified Communications UK, approximately 30% of exhibition stands had already been earmarked by exhibitors at the time of the post-event announcement. Companies indicating their intention to return include BYD, Pelican Bus + Coach, Alexander Dennis, Irizar UK, Volvo Group UK, Apex Buses, B.A.S.E, Noone Turas and Mellor.

Euro Bus Expo 2026: fleet orders achieved

Among the contracts announced during Euro Bus Expo 2026, Transport Made Simple placed an order worth approximately £10 million for 50 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 buses. Alexander Dennis also secured an order for seven Enviro200 MMC vehicles from Edwards Coaches and handed over an Enviro400 double-decker to Weardale Motor Services during the operator’s centenary year.

Wrightbus announced a contract to convert 43 First Bus StreetDeck double-deckers from diesel to battery-electric propulsion. The agreement concerns the repowering of existing vehicles rather than the procurement of newly manufactured electric buses.

Several coach orders were also announced. Scania confirmed five Touring coaches for Prospect Coaches and seven for McLeans Coaches, alongside additional Touring orders from Pats Coaches and Astons Coaches. Princess Coaches ordered a Scania Irizar, while R.G. Jamieson & Son confirmed the purchase of its first two Scania coaches. A further Scania Irizar order for J.K.T. International was confirmed after the exhibition.

VDL Bus Group reported sales of several Futura 3 coaches and a Van Hool T16 Astron. Following the event, Asset Alliance Group confirmed an agreement to supply Hodgson’s Coaches with two Volvo B8RLE MCV eVoRa buses.

On the Pelican Bus + Coach stand, Nottingham City Transport presented the first of 18 next-generation Yutong U11DD electric double-deckers. First Bus’s order for Yutong GT14 coaches, described by the organiser as the largest order for the model to date, was recognised during an opening-day presentation. KT’s Coaches of Kendal also signed for a GT14.

In the minibus segment, EVM UK & Ireland confirmed the sale of ten Citylite vehicles to Dawsongroup Bus and Coach and delivered a 22-seat Classic minibus to Parkers Travel. The company also reported deals involving Maynes Coaches and Glen Valley Tours.

The Euro Bus Expo Innovation Challenge received 20 entries, an increase of 54% compared with the previous edition. Ten finalists presented their solutions to a judging panel after visitors voted during the first two days of the exhibition.

Optibus received a Judges’ Choice Gold award for Optibus Agent, an AI-powered operational assistant. Camira also received Judges’ Choice Gold for RePlay Zero, a flame-retardant upholstery fabric manufactured using recycled plastic bottles.

GreenRoad’s AskMila, developed to identify emerging driver and operational safety risks, received Operator’s Choice Gold and Judges’ Choice Silver. Seven additional suppliers received awards.

The organiser also reported a 30% increase in meetings arranged through Euro Bus Expo Connect compared with 2024.

In brief

• How many visitors attended Euro Bus Expo 2026?
  The exhibition attracted 7,421 industry professionals, up 6% compared with 2024.
• How many vehicles were displayed at Euro Bus Expo 2026?
  A total of 110 buses, coaches, minibuses and midibuses were exhibited, compared with 75 in 2024.
• Which major fleet contracts were announced?
  Transport Made Simple ordered 50 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 buses, while Wrightbus secured a contract to repower 43 First Bus double-deckers.
• When will the next Euro Bus Expo take place?
  The next edition is scheduled for 7–9 November 2028 at the NEC Birmingham.

Euro Bus Expo 2026, comments from organisers and operators

Helen Conway, Group Director of Euro Bus Expo, said: “Euro Bus Expo has once again demonstrated the strength of its established biennial format and the value of an exhibition dedicated entirely to the coach and bus industry. The breadth of new vehicles, technology and services on display reflected the pace of development across the sector. Operators came with real decisions to make, exhibitors secured orders and new business relationships were formed. For more than three decades, Euro Bus Expo has brought the industry together when operators are reviewing their fleets and planning ahead. Our two-year cycle gives manufacturers and suppliers the opportunity to bring meaningful new developments to the show, while operators can explore what’s changed, compare options and make informed decisions.”

Steve Appleby, Head of Bus Engineering at Transport for Greater Manchester, commented: “Euro Bus Expo was superb. I used the meeting planner to ensure I met all the suppliers I needed to, but also engaged with others I wouldn’t have outside of this forum.”

Phil Vockins, General Manager at Motts Travel, said: “Having so many suppliers in one place made it easy to compare options and ask practical questions about how they’d work in our operation. I’d recommend it to any coach operator looking at their next vehicle or technology investment.”