The UK Garage & Bodyshop Event has revealed an expanded and enhanced line-up of features and dedicated hubs for its 2026 show. The programme is designed to support skills development, business growth, networking and future talent for workshops, garages and bodyshop repairers.
Where and when
UKGBE 2026 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from 3rd to 4th June 2026. It’s free to register, simply scan the QR at the end of the article!
The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event is back and this year it’s bringing a packed line-up of live theatres, interactive demonstrations and specialist zones, delivering practical value for garage and bodyshop professionals at every stage of their career.
At the heart of the show is the Workshop Theatre which will host a comprehensive schedule of technical seminars tackling the latest advances and challenges facing the sector. Sessions will cover faults and diagnostics, repairs, MOT, EV servicing and repair, ADAS, and more. Plus, it will offer panel discussions and real-world case studies led by top-tier technicians and industry experts.
Business management
Business owners and managers will benefit from the Business Management Theatre, created for forward-thinking operators looking to improve profitability and future-proof their businesses. The programme will address key operational challenges including maximising profits, sustainability, digital transformation, marketing strategies, tackling the talent gap and staying ahead of industry change.
Brand-new for 2026 is the IAAF Garage Den and innovative initiative launched at the end of 2025 by industry federation, the IAAF, pairing aftermarket suppliers with independent garages (the “Dragons”) to co-develop new commercial products or services for the market, for real-world testing and development, fostering collaboration and future solutions. The new projects will be unveiled at this year’s UK Garage & Bodyshop Event.
Supporting the next generation of talent – and fresh from Automechanika Birmingham 2025’s Motorvate initiative – the Ignite Arena will return to UK Garage & Bodyshop Event 2026 to welcome students and apprentices for interactive talks, live entertainment, competitions and meet-and-greet opportunities. The arena highlights career pathways and emerging opportunities within the automotive industry, offering invaluable insight for those starting out.
Networking remains central to UK Garage & Bodyshop Event 2026, with the Networking Pit Stop providing a relaxed space for visitors to recharge, connect with peers and build new relationships throughout the event.
Celebrating emerging talent, the show will also host Automechanika Birmingham Thirty Under 30, an awards programme recognising the next generation of talent in the industry. Free to enter, the top 30 finalists will be selected by an expert panel and honoured at an exclusive presentation and networking event during the show.
With its expanded features, hands-on learning and unrivalled networking opportunities, UK Garage & Bodyshop Event 2026 promises to yet again deliver exceptional value for the entire sector.
Inspiring the next generation
Following the success of Motorvate at Automechanika Birmingham 2025, show organisers have confirmed it will return in full at Automechanika Birmingham 2027. In the meantime, visitors to the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event 2026 can look forward to experiencing two of Motorvate’s most popular elements, the Ignite Arena and the Automechanika ‘Thirty Under 30’ awards.
The Ignite Arena, which formed part of Motorvate in 2025, will be a highlight at this year’s event and has been designed with a brand-new, refined interactive format. The dynamic space will help to inspire and connect students, educators, career changers and brands, showcasing the breadth of opportunities in the automotive aftermarket to address and support the growing skills and talent gap.
During the 2025 edition of Automechanika Birmingham, Motorvate and the Ignite Arena saw 1,786 visitors attend over three days of the show, with 91 percent of attendees stating they felt the arena was important. This highlights the need for features such as Motorvate and the Ignite Arena to support those looking for their next opportunity.
The Ignite Arena will offer a live DJ, interactive talks, competitions and supplier meet-and-greets designed to showcase the vast range of career opportunities across the industry. It will also continue to drive conversations around gender balance, career progression and transferable skills, supporting pathways into the trade from other industries at a time when the skills gap affects workshop productivity and profitability across the UK.
Alongside this, the Ignite Arena will also play host to the return of the Automechanika ‘Thirty Under 30’ programme, designed to celebrate rising stars within the sector. Free to enter, the awards recognise the top 30 young professionals shaping the future of the aftermarket, with finalists selected by an expert panel and honoured at an exclusive networking event during the show.
