MIDO 2026 Exhibitor List Goes Live as “The Lens of Time” Exhibition Debuts

Friday, January 16 2026 | 09 h 25 min | News

MIDO has announced that the exhibitor list for MIDO 2026, the 54th edition of the international eyewear exhibition, is now online.

The event will take place from January 31 to February 2, 2026, at Fieramilano Rho.

Organizers are forecasting approximately 1,200 exhibitors from 50 countries, including 140 new entries, with visitors expected from more than 160 countries.

The numbers are in line with the previous edition and underscore the continued momentum and global reach of the eyewear industry.

Exhibition Areas: Continuity, Growth, and Innovation

Several exhibition spaces will feature updates and new installations for 2026. The Fashion Square, located in Hall 1, will be completely renovated. In Hall 4, the square will host an installation dedicated to DaTE (Naples, September 12–14, 2026), while Hall 6 will feature a new edition of The Lens of Time exhibition.

The Design area returns to Halls 2 and 4, continuing its role as a hub for creativity and experimentation, with both returning exhibitors and new brands, including several transitioning from the Academy area. The Academy, confirmed in Hall 6, will host more than 90 companies and continue its mission as an incubator for emerging eyewear brands. The Start Up section is expected to feature around 20 young companies presenting innovative projects and solutions.

“The Lens of Time” Exhibition

Following its presentation in Venice, The Lens of Time, an exhibition dedicated to the history of eyewear and conceived by ANFAO, will make its debut at MIDO with a new setup designed for the show’s international audience. The exhibition traces the evolution of eyewear from its origins to the present, highlighting its cultural, artisanal, and stylistic significance. After MIDO, the exhibition is scheduled to continue in autumn 2026 in Rome at Palazzo Piacentini, headquarters of Italy’s Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, with plans for future international showings.

Vision Stage and Industry Programming

MIDO’s Vision Stage will once again host a robust program of talks, workshops, and panel discussions, with approximately 20 scheduled sessions. Speakers will include journalists, athletes, sustainability experts, market analysts, and representatives from the medical and optical sectors. Topics will range from social responsibility and market trends to purchasing behavior and the outlook for the U.S. market. The full calendar will be released in January.

MIDO Awards

Applications remain open for the MIDO Awards, which recognize excellence across the eyewear industry. These include the Best Store Award, open to opticians and retailers worldwide in the Design and Innovation categories (applications open until December 31), and the CSE Award – Certified Sustainable Eyewear, aimed at manufacturers committed to sustainable practices. A new CSE Corporate Award will also recognize exhibitors demonstrating outstanding ESG performance. Applications for the CSE awards close on December 14, 2025, with winners to be announced during MIDO 2026.

Visiting Milano During MIDO 2026

MIDO 2026 will take place shortly before the opening of the Milano–Cortina Winter Olympic Games, in a city preparing for a major international moment. To support attendees, MIDO has introduced a range of hospitality and travel tools, including an online booking platform developed with MiCodmc, the official hospitality agency. Additional services include dedicated travel options for Italian opticians, city maps highlighting culture, food, and shopping, and access to the YesMilano City Pass at a discounted rate for MIDO badge holders.

The official press conference for MIDO 2026 will be held on Wednesday, January 28, at 11:30 a.m., at the Feltrinelli Foundation in Milan.

Click HERE for the press release.

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