interbad 2026: How Energy Efficiency, Longevity and New Technology Are Changing the Bathing Industry
Swimming pools are among the most energy-intensive municipal facilities, while at the same time, requirements for cost-efficiency, sustainability, and quality of stay are increasing. Sauna, spa, and wellness providers must also develop new offerings and operate their facilities more efficiently. From October 6 to October 8, 2026, interbad in Stuttgart will bring these challenges together. This international trade fair connects swimming pool technology, sauna, and spa with an extensive congress and supplementary program.
On more than 26,000 square meters of exhibition space, over 270 companies present technologies, products, and concepts related to pool construction, water treatment, saunas, spas, and wellness. The trade fair is aimed at operators of public pools, pool builders, and specialty retailers, as well as the hospitality industry, architecture, and planning. Companies from 28 countries are announced.
Energy consumption becomes an economic issue
For swimming pool operators, energy has become one of the key cost factors. Filtration systems, water treatment, ventilation, and the heating of large volumes of water lead to continuously high consumption. Accordingly, technologies that recover energy, control systems more intelligently, or reduce resource consumption are becoming increasingly important. At the interbad, the range extends from modern filtration technology to solutions for heat recovery. Sustainability and decarbonization also play a role in the accompanying professional program. It's no longer just about climate targets. Operators are increasingly faced with the question of how to operate pools economically while simultaneously modernizing them technically.
Longevity gets its own area
New in 2026 is a dedicated area for the trend of Longevity. It involves offers that more strongly connect health, regeneration, and prevention with wellness. Planned topics include cryotherapy, regenerative applications, and approaches to performance optimization. For hotels, spa providers, and municipal baths, this can lead to an additional business field. Wellness will thus be expanded to include health-oriented services: possibly a new offer for operators from a lifestyle trend.
Finnish sauna culture meets modern wellness concepts
The sauna remains an important part of the interbad. With the Finnish Sauna Lounge by Sauna from Finland, a network of around 200 companies is presented. In 2026, the joint appearance is themed around the forest and aims to highlight the connection between Finnish sauna culture and nature. In addition, manufacturers showcase new design concepts and technologies for sauna and wellness facilities. For operators, it's not just about design: Energy requirements, user experience, and the development of new offerings are increasingly considered together.
Public Pools between Digitalization and Essential Services
Concurrent with the exhibition, the 71st DGfdB Congress of the German Association for Bathing Affairs is taking place. It addresses issues particularly relevant for municipal and public pools. The agenda includes smartification and virtualization, green energy and decarbonization, as well as the future role of public pools in essential services. Social topics such as mental health, resilience, and the multiple uses of public spaces will also be discussed. This shows that the future of swimming pools is not merely a technical issue. Municipalities must finance investments, reduce energy consumption, and simultaneously create facilities that are utilized by a variety of population groups.
Private Pool Construction and Start-ups in Focus
In addition to public pools, interbad is also focusing on the private market. With the special area Pool & Living, solutions related to private pool construction and life by the water are aggregated. The interbad Forum also shifts its technical focuses: Planned topics include planning and architecture, sauna, spa, and longevity, as well as sustainability and private swimming pool construction. Young companies also have their own platform with StartUp@interbad, where founders can present new products, designs, and technologies in the areas of swimming pools, saunas, spas, and wellness.
Three Days for Swimming Pools, Saunas, and Spas
The interbad 2026 will take place from October 6 to October 8 at the Messe Stuttgart fairgrounds. Exhibitions, professional congresses, and various thematic areas combine technical innovations with the economic and social questions of the industry. For pool operators, the focus will likely be on more efficient facilities. Longevity, new wellness concepts, and digital solutions also indicate that the range of offerings is changing. The interbad aims to show what swimming pools, saunas, and spa facilities will look like in the future and how they can be economically operated under rising costs and new expectations.