NAMM 2026 Opens: 3,500 Brands Unveil Game-Changing Gear in Anaheim

THE WORLD'S LARGEST MUSIC TRADE SHOW KICKS OFF HISTORIC 125-YEAR CELEBRATION WITH UNPRECEDENTED INNOVATION

The NAMM Show opened Thursday at the Anaheim Convention Center, with 3,500 music brands, over 75,000 attendees, and over 150 live performing bands from over 125 countries converging for five days of industry breakthrough presentations and exhibition.

NAMM marks its 125th anniversary and 50 years in Anaheim with this gathering, featuring five days of education, live concerts and special events alongside three days of extraordinary exhibits and brand activations from January 22-24. The timing coincides with what industry observers are calling one of the most robust product launch cycles in recent memory, with major manufacturers and boutique brands unveiling equipment designed to reshape music production, performance, and education for the coming year.

A Historic Gathering for Music Innovation

The NAMM Show brings together tens of thousands of professionals from more than 125 countries, including manufacturers, retailers, educators, artists, industry professionals and innovators across the musical spectrum. This year's event stands out not merely for its scale but for the substance of announcements emerging from the show floor.

The music industry is using NAMM 2026 as its primary platform for launching transformative products. The show is being held at the Anaheim Convention Center, a sprawling complex ideal for global brands showcasing pro audio gear, synthesizers, guitars, drums, software and everything in between. With a 41% increase in international attendance between 2023 and 2024, the future of the industry gathering shows strong momentum.

Major Product Categories Dominate the Showcase

The breadth of innovation on display at NAMM 2026 spans virtually every segment of music production and performance. Martin Guitar announced four new instruments debuting ahead of the show: the Super D-18, Super HD-28, Martin O'ahu K-42 Hibiscus, and Custom Shop M Paisley Ember Burst. The Super D delivers deeper bass, greater projection, and an extended dynamic range—with acoustic testing showing gains of up to 12dB, offering more volume with less effort.

The pro audio sector has generated significant buzz with multiple high-profile releases. Rane has unveiled the System One, the world's first-ever motorised standalone DJ controller, running updated Engine DJ software with stems support and seamless switching between DJ software and the embedded system. Korg revealed its new microAUDIO interface range, combining preamp-equipped inputs with interesting effects tricks.

Studio technology and recording equipment have also received substantial upgrades. PreSonus's Studio One DAW is being renamed and re-angled under an overarching Fender Studio brandname, with the brand launching several new products as part of a "connected music ecosystem" comprising both software and hardware.

Educational Programming and Industry Dialogue

NAMM will feature more than 200 educational sessions for its member communities at the 2026 show. The 2026 NAMM Show has expanded its education to include a new, robust suite of half- and full-day summits during the first two days, along with a lineup of complimentary education sessions covering the most vital and in-demand industry topics.

In partnership with the College Music Society, the show offers GenNext, a dynamic set of nearly 20 sessions and events designed for college music students and emerging professionals, helping them explore careers in the music industry with real-world advice and discover pathways across business, manufacturing, performance, production, technology and education.

Celebrating Music Education and Community Impact

Beginning Tuesday, January 20, the show offered an extended slate of world-class education sessions and NAMM's annual Day of Service, which highlights the positive impact of music education with NAMM members partnering with the local Anaheim school district and community, engaging in activities such as unpacking and tuning of instruments and assisting with music-making sessions.

Saturday, January 24, opens the last day of the show with a motivating "Grand Rally for Music Education," a flagship NAMM Foundation event that combines live performances with inspirational stories to spotlight the role of music education in society. Once the exhibit halls close at 5 pm that Saturday, a special 125-year anniversary bash will take place in the main plaza, leading into the prestigious Parnelli Awards, honoring individuals and companies in the live event production industry.

Industry Recognition and Awards Programs

The week features several prestigious industry awards recognizing excellence across multiple disciplines. The NAMM TEC Awards will recognize achievements in audio excellence, honoring innovators in recording, live sound and technology with legends of the industry on stage through the night. Friday night shines a spotlight on the She Rocks Awards, a high-energy event that honors women who are changing the face of music and audio with electrifying live performances and powerful speeches.

The Bass Magazine Awards feature award recipients including Mike Dirnt of Green Day, Les Claypool of Primus, and Marcus Miller, with presenters including Robert Trujillo of Metallica, Justin Chancellor of Tool, and Mark Hoppus of Blink-182.

What Attendees Can Expect

NAMM 2026 showcases music gear from over 3,500 brands to over 75,000 attendees, with an insane amount of new music gear, artist performances across the convention centre, and myriad panels on the future of the music gear industry, with gems from boutique gear brands to high-profile drops from music technology's biggest companies.

For retailers, manufacturers, artists, and enthusiasts, NAMM 2026 represents the defining annual moment to discover next-generation tools, establish new business relationships, and understand the direction of the global music products industry heading into the second half of the decade.