TLL Staff
It’s never too early to get ready for Licensing Expo, and registration has now opened for the most important show in the global licensing industry.
Organizers announced they have opened registration for the 2026 Licensing Expo, which will be held May 19 to 21 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The annual trade show, produced by Informa’s Global Licensing Group and sponsored by Licensing International, bills itself as the world’s largest event dedicated to licensing, brand extension and IP collaboration.
The Expo serves as a key venue for companies to debut new intellectual property and product partnerships that are expected to shape global consumer markets over the next two to three years.
According to organizers, the show has posted three consecutive years of growth, with record attendance, expanded exhibitor participation and increased customer satisfaction.
Confirmed exhibitors for the 2026 edition include major entertainment and consumer brands such as Pokémon, LEGO, Warner Bros. Discovery, SEGA, BBC, the Coca-Cola Company, NASCAR, Calm, Crayola, Hasbro, Beanstalk, CAA Brand Management, Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Informa said additional participants are being added weekly.
Anna Clarke, senior vice president of the Global Licensing Group at Informa, said the show’s momentum reflects its expanding role in the sector.
“The last three years of growth, including garnering the highest recorded satisfaction scores, retail attendance and exhibitor numbers, as well as the continued exceptional quality of exhibitors and attendees, has truly reaffirmed Licensing Expo’s position as the world’s most influential event for brand extension and IP launches,” Clarke said.
Clarke noted the 2026 edition will introduce a revised ticket structure aimed at tailoring experiences to different types of attendees. Following feedback from the 2025 event, the show will expand beyond its Standard Pass and the complimentary Retail Pass for qualified retail buyers.
Two new options have now been added. One is the Explorer Pass, designed for newcomers seeking education and industry introductions, and the second is the Networking Pass, geared toward professionals looking to build partnerships and secure meetings.
The Explorer Pass includes all Standard Pass benefits, 50 meeting credits and access to the Licensing Unlocked education series.
The Networking Pass provides up to 125 meeting requests, priority use of the event planner platform, admission to the Opening Night Party and access to the Matchmaking Lounge.
Maura Regan, president of Licensing International, said the restructuring of the Expo pass options was driven by industry demand for better networking tools and pathways for new entrants.
“Industry leaders consistently share with us how important new connections and ongoing partnerships are to business development,” Regan said. “Having witnessed the barriers that can prevent newcomers from entering this field, the new pass structure is specifically designed to empower emerging professionals and set them up for success.”
Tickets start at $60 for the Standard Pass, with early bird pricing of $30 available through Jan. 31, 2026. Qualified retailers may register at no cost.
Launched in 1980, Licensing Expo draws more than 5,000 brands and 12,000 attendees annually from more than 70 countries.
The event anchors Informa’s Global Licensing Group portfolio, which also includes Brand Licensing Europe, Licensing Expo Shanghai and the licensing-centric media outlet License Global.
Registration and additional details are available at licensingexpo.com.