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June 3, 2026 · 12 min read

MAGIC Trade Show Las Vegas 2026: Dates, Brands, and How to Attend

Plan your MAGIC Las Vegas 2026 trip with confirmed venue details, exhibitor categories, badge types, and a step-by-step registration guide for trade buyers.


MAGIC Las Vegas is a twice-yearly, trade-only fashion marketplace held at the Las Vegas Convention Center each February and August. Organised by Informa Markets, it covers apparel, footwear, and accessories across multiple named show zones, drawing tens of thousands of retail buyers, wholesalers, and brand representatives from more than 40 countries per edition.

What Is the MAGIC Trade Show?

MAGIC has operated since 1933, making it one of the longest-running fashion trade events in North America. What began as a small menswear market in Los Angeles grew over nine decades into a multi-segment marketplace drawing tens of thousands of apparel, footwear, and accessories professionals to Las Vegas each year.

How did MAGIC become North America's leading fashion industry marketplace?

Founded in 1933 in Los Angeles as a menswear-focused buying event, MAGIC relocated to Las Vegas in the 1990s to accommodate its growing exhibitor base. Informa Markets subsequently acquired the show and expanded it into a cluster of co-located formats. Today it functions as a primary North American order-writing market, where buyers place real purchase orders on the floor. For a comparable trade show context, see our guide to the CHAMPS Trade Show Las Vegas 2026. MAGIC's role as a central fashion marketplace gives it a reach that few single-city events can match.

Who organises MAGIC and what market segments does it cover?

Informa Markets, part of Informa plc, organises MAGIC. Informa manages more than 550 events globally, and its North American fashion by informa portfolio includes PROJECT, Coterie, and Sourcing at MAGIC. The full segment list covers contemporary womenswear, menswear, streetwear, footwear, and accessories. The official MAGIC event site remains the authoritative source for segment maps and exhibitor directories. The breadth of this portfolio means buyers can often cross-register for adjacent shows running concurrently, maximising the value of a single Las Vegas trip.

Apparel, Footwear, and Accessories: What product categories are featured?

The show floor is divided into named zones, each anchored by a distinct product focus. Multiple hundreds of brands populate each zone across every edition. Key categories include:

Apparel

  • Contemporary sportswear and womenswear
  • Denim and casualwear
  • Activewear and athleisure

Footwear

  • Men's, women's, and kids' footwear
  • Sandals, boots, and athletic styles

Accessories

  • Handbags and small leather goods
  • Jewellery, hats, and belts
  • Licensed goods and novelty items

Sourcing Services

  • Fabric, trim, and packaging vendors
  • Production and manufacturing partners
  • Technology and logistics solution providers

MAGIC Las Vegas 2026 Dates, Venue, and Schedule

The Las Vegas Convention Center covers more than 4.6 million square feet of space, making it one of the largest convention facilities in the United States. MAGIC fills significant portions of this footprint twice a year, drawing buyers and exhibitors who plan their travel calendars months in advance around confirmed show dates.

When exactly is MAGIC Las Vegas 2026?

Magic Las Vegas 2026 is expected to run in mid-August 2026, with the february and august editions typically scheduled in late February and mid-August respectively. Exact dates shift slightly year to year, so verify the current schedule on the official MAGIC event site and on Informa's fashion events calendar before booking travel. Each edition runs approximately 3 days. Early registration often opens 6 months prior to the show, so checking confirmed dates as soon as they are published is worth the effort.

Where is the show held: Las Vegas Convention Centre details

The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) sits at 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV. A West Hall expansion completed in 2021 added 1.4 million sq ft of usable space, giving trade show Las Vegas organisers significantly more floor area to work with. The Las Vegas Monorail stops directly at LVCC, making it accessible from the Strip without a car. Rideshare pickup zones are located on the facility's outer perimeter. MAGIC typically occupies multiple halls simultaneously, so arriving early on day one to orientate yourself is practical planning, not optional.

How does the August edition differ from the February edition?

For industry coverage of 2025 and 2026 show dates, WWD's trade show calendar provides useful context on how each edition is positioned. The two editions serve distinct buying cycles, and some brands exhibit at one edition only.

February EditionAugust Edition
Season FocusFall/Winter buying seasonSpring/Summer buying season
Merchandise ShownFall/Winter collectionsSpring/Summer collections
Typical Buyer ProfileDepartment store and specialty retail buyers stocking for autumnContemporary boutiques and e-commerce buyers planning warm-weather ranges
DurationApproximately 3 daysApproximately 3 days

What Brands and Suppliers Exhibit at MAGIC?

How do you know which suppliers are worth your time before you step onto a show floor with hundreds of booths? At MAGIC, the exhibitor mix spans emerging independent designers and established global manufacturers suppliers, so understanding who exhibits and how to find them in advance is what separates productive buyers from overwhelmed ones.

Types of manufacturers and suppliers on the show floor

The exhibitor base covers independent contemporary brands, large-scale apparel manufacturers, footwear wholesalers, accessories suppliers, and fabric and trim vendors concentrated in the Sourcing at MAGIC companion zone. Domestic US brands share floor space with international exhibitors from Canada, Europe, and Asia; the show historically features participants from more than 40 countries. Each booth and exhibition stand is mapped within the official directory, making pre-show research efficient. For a practical workflow on capturing leads from exhibitors during the show, see our guide to AI conference lead capture.

How to search the MAGIC marketplace brand list before you arrive

A pre-show review of the brand list prevents wasted floor time. Follow these steps:

  1. Visit the official MAGIC event site and navigate to the exhibitor directory.
  2. Log in or create a free account to access the full search interface.
  3. Filter by product category, apparel, footwear, or accessories, or by named market segment such as PROJECT or contemporary.
  4. Bookmark target brands, note booth numbers, and build a prioritised visit schedule.
  5. Cross-reference with Sourcing at MAGIC if your goal is finding manufacturing partners rather than finished goods.

Filter options often cover 10 or more product categories, so using multiple filter combinations surfaces exhibitors that a single keyword search misses. For pre-show lead prioritisation, see our AI lead qualification guide for small teams.

How to Attend the MAGIC Trade Show

A first-time buyer from Toronto once showed up at MAGIC registration without proof of business credentials, spending two hours sorting out documentation at the desk while her appointments sat waiting. The registration process is straightforward if you prepare the right materials at least 4 weeks in advance.

Who qualifies to register as a buyer or industry professional?

Magic new york and Las Vegas editions share the same trade-only admission policy: qualified attendees include retail buyers, boutique owners, e-commerce operators, wholesale distributors, fashion industry press, and brand representatives. General consumers are not admitted. Buyers typically must demonstrate a minimum of 1 year of business operation. Check the official MAGIC event site for the current eligibility criteria, as requirements are updated ahead of each edition.

Step-by-step registration and application process

Use this sequence to avoid the documentation delays that catch first-timers off guard:

  1. Go to the official registration portal at magicfashionevents.com.
  2. Create an account or log in to an existing one.
  3. Select your badge type: buyer, exhibitor, press, or guest.
  4. Upload required business documentation (see the credentials section below).
  5. Complete payment if your badge tier carries a fee; complimentary buyer badges are often available when registering before the stated early-bird deadline.
  6. Receive your confirmation email and badge details, then add key show dates to your calendar.

For post-show planning, our post-conference email sequence guide covers follow-up timing and templates.

What credentials or business documentation do you need to apply?

Typically 2 to 3 documents are required, depending on badge type. Prepare the following before starting your application:

  • Business licence or official business registration certificate
  • Resale certificate, EIN (US applicants), or GST number (Canadian attendees)
  • Business card or company letterhead showing your trading name
  • Active business website URL
  • Social media profile link (particularly relevant for newer brands without a long trading history)

Requirements may vary by badge type and are confirmed at magicfashionevents.com. Note: the phrase including without limitation appears in MAGIC's terms of participation to signal that the document list is not exhaustive, so review the full eligibility policy before submitting.

Costs, badge types, and what each access tier covers

Booth costs for exhibitors vary by size; a 10x10 ft booth is the standard entry unit, with pricing scaling by hall and zone. Check the official pricing pages at magicfashionevents.com for current figures, as rates change between editions.

Badge TypeWho It's ForCostAccess Level
Complimentary Buyer BadgeQualified trade buyers registered earlyFree (early registration)Full show floor access
Exhibitor BadgeBrands with a purchased boothIncluded with boothShow floor and exhibitor services
Press/Media BadgeAccredited fashion mediaApplication-basedShow floor and press areas
Guest BadgeNon-qualifying industry adjacentsFee appliesLimited access zones

What to Expect on the Show Floor

The show floor at MAGIC is not a passive browsing experience. It is a compressed, high-stakes sourcing sprint where buyers who arrive without a plan consistently leave with fewer productive contacts than those who map their floor time 48 hours before the doors open.

Sourcing, trend forecasting, and the Business Solutions Centre

The Business Solutions Centre is a dedicated resource hub offering consulting on retail strategy, technology, and operations, useful for buyers evaluating new vendors or reconsidering supply chain structure. Trend forecasting presentations draw design and buying teams who need directional data before committing to orders. The Sourcing at MAGIC floor runs concurrently and focuses on production-side sourcing. Trend forecasting sessions typically span all 3 days of programming. For buyers who want to automate post-show product onboarding, our ecommerce automation guide covers the key workflow steps.

Networking events, panels, and scheduled programming

MAGIC hosts brand activations, buyer-seller meetups, and keynote-style panels across its run. Programming typically begins at 9 AM daily, with sessions published on the official site several weeks before the show opens. Fashion industry panels often cover retail technology, sustainability in design, and wholesale market trends. Check magicfashionevents.com for the confirmed 2026 schedule once it is released, as session topics and speakers vary by edition.

Practical logistics: getting around the Las Vegas Convention Centre

Las Vegas august heat is a factor when planning transit between halls; comfortable footwear is genuinely important even at a fashion event. LVCC spans more than 4.6 million sq ft total, meaning the walk between West Hall and Central Hall is a significant distance.

  • Download the official MAGIC app before arrival for interactive floor maps and exhibitor search
  • Use the Las Vegas Monorail (LVCC stop) from Strip hotels to avoid rideshare wait times during peak morning entry
  • Locate rideshare pickup zones on the facility's outer perimeter before you need them
  • Plan food and water breaks; on-site catering options exist but lines build at midday
  • Budget transit time between halls: 10 to 15 minutes between West and Central Hall is realistic
  • Use the AI conference lead capture workflow on your phone to log contacts in real time rather than relying on badge scans alone

Key Benefits of Attending MAGIC for Fashion Buyers and Brands

Attending MAGIC is like compressing 6 months of supplier outreach into 3 days. The density of qualified contacts per square foot is difficult to replicate through digital sourcing platforms alone. For buyers and brands weighing the cost of attendance, the question is not whether the ROI exists, but how to structure your time to capture it.

How does attending MAGIC translate into measurable sourcing ROI?

The magic trade show las Vegas editions give buyers direct access to hundreds of qualified vendors across a 3-day window, removing the weeks of back-and-forth that remote sourcing typically requires. In-person relationship building accelerates vendor qualification because buyers can assess sample quality, negotiate minimums, and confirm production timelines on the spot. Canadian buyers should factor in passport requirements, USD pricing on booth services, and cross-border logistics when budgeting. Review MAGIC's official attendee resources for cost breakdowns. The offprice las vegas zone, a co-located segment, adds further value for buyers seeking close-out and excess inventory opportunities alongside regular-season sourcing.

Key Takeaways

  • MAGIC runs twice yearly in february and august at the Las Vegas Convention Center; verify 2026 dates on the official site and Informa's fashion events calendar as soon as they are confirmed.
  • The show is trade-only; prepare 2 to 3 business credentials documents and register at least 4 weeks before the show opens to qualify for complimentary buyer badges.
  • Use the online exhibitor directory and brand list filters before arrival to build a prioritised visit schedule; the show floor rewards preparation and punishes improvisation.
  • Sourcing at MAGIC runs concurrently and is the right zone for buyers seeking manufacturing and production partners rather than finished goods.
  • Automate your post-show follow-up workflow before you leave home; returning with 200 contacts and no outreach sequence means most of those relationships will go cold.

FAQ

What are the MAGIC trade show 2026 dates?

As of publication, the February 2026 edition is expected in late February and the August 2026 edition in mid-August. Exact dates are confirmed by Informa Markets on the official MAGIC event site and the Informa fashion events calendar. Check both sources several months before you plan to travel, as dates are released on a rolling schedule.

Is MAGIC Las Vegas open to the public?

No. MAGIC is a trade-only event. Eligible attendees include:

  • Retail buyers and boutique owners
  • E-commerce operators and wholesale distributors
  • Fashion industry press and media
  • Brand representatives and agents

General consumers are not admitted. Proof of business credentials is required at registration.

How much does it cost to attend MAGIC as a buyer?

Qualified trade buyers can often register for a complimentary badge when applying before the early-registration deadline. Guest badges for less-qualified attendees carry a fee. Exhibitor booth costs vary by size and zone; a standard 10x10 ft booth is the entry-level unit. Consult the official pricing pages at magicfashionevents.com for current rates, as fees are updated each edition.

What is Sourcing at MAGIC?

Sourcing at MAGIC is a co-located companion show running alongside the main MAGIC event at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It focuses on production-side sourcing: fabric suppliers, trim vendors, packaging providers, and apparel manufacturers. Buyers looking for finished goods attend the main MAGIC floor; buyers looking for production partners attend Sourcing at MAGIC.

Can Canadian buyers attend MAGIC Las Vegas?

Yes. Canadian buyers regularly attend and qualify under the same trade-only criteria as US attendees. Key preparation steps include:

  • Bringing a valid passport for US entry
  • Preparing a GST number or Canadian business registration as part of your credential documentation
  • Budgeting in USD for any on-site fees or exhibitor services