MIDO 2026 Exhibitor List Now Live as “The Lens of Time” Exhibition Debuts
Thursday, December 4 2025 | 11 h 27 min | News
MIDO has released the official exhibitor list for its 2026 edition, taking place January 31 to February 2, 2026, at Fieramilano Rho. The 54th edition of the world’s largest international eyewear trade show is preparing for another strong year, with around 1,200 exhibitors from 50 countries expected, including 140 new entries, as well as visitorsfrom more than 160 nations.
Expanded Areas and New Installations
Several key sections of the fair will feature new layouts and thematic programming:
- Fashion Square (Hall 1) will be completely redesigned.
- Hall 4 will feature an installation dedicated to DaTE, the independent eyewear show held in Naples.
- Hall 6 will host the premiere of the updated exhibition “The Lens of Time.”
The Design areas in Halls 2 and 4 return as creative hubs for experimentation, welcoming a growing number of exhibitors—including brands transitioning from the Academy section. The Academy in Hall 6 will continue to support emerging labels, hosting more than 90 young companies. About 20 new businesses will participate in the Start Up section, presenting innovative projects and forward-looking solutions.
“The Lens of Time” Exhibition
After its debut in Venice, the ANFAO-curated exhibition tracing the evolution of eyewear—from its origins to contemporary design—will be showcased at MIDO with a new layout designed for an international audience. The exhibit highlights the cultural and artisanal heritage of eyewear. Following its Milan run, it will travel to Rome in autumn 2026, with plans for future international stops.
The Vision Stage: Training and Industry Insights
MIDO’s program will feature approximately 20 sessions led by journalists, sustainability experts, athletes, market analysts, and medical and optical professionals. Key topics will include market trends, consumer behaviour, social responsibility, and developments in the U.S. optical market. The full program will be published in January.
MIDO Awards: Applications Now Open
MIDO invites opticians, retailers, and manufacturers to apply for its three industry awards:
- Best Store Award (Design and Innovation categories) — applications open until December 31
- CSE Award – Certified Sustainable Eyewear — for products demonstrating sustainable materials and reduced environmental impact
- CSE Corporate Award — honouring the exhibitor with the strongest ESG performance
Applications for the CSE awards are open until December 14, 2025, with all details available under the “Awards” section at mido.com. Winners will be announced during MIDO 2026.
Planning Your Stay in Milan
With the show taking place just ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the city is expected to be especially busy. MIDO has introduced several tools to simplify travel planning:
- An online booking system developed with MiCodmc
- Bookable free train services for Italian opticians (available starting January)
- City maps highlighting culture, dining, and shopping
- An exclusive 10% discount on the YesMilano City Pass for all MIDO pass holders
Press Conference
The official MIDO 2026 press conference will be held Wednesday, January 28 at 11:30 a.m., at the Feltrinelli Foundation in Milan.
For ongoing updates, visit mido.com or follow MIDO_Exhibition | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube | Linktree
Click HERE for the press release.
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