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CES is upon us, as the flood of teasers and marketing campaigns from every tech brand would suggest over the past few weeks. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or ordinary consumer, the annual tech trade show is guaranteed to feature something you care about -- be it the launch of a new TV display type or a demo of some visionary technology with the potential to change the future.

Also: The 5 most innovative tech products that surprised us this year (including a first for robot vacs)

Want to keep up with the conference's latest and hottest news? ZDNET will have a team on the ground bringing you all the announcements throughout the week-long show. Here's everything you need to know going into CES 2026.

What is CES? 

The Consumer Electronics Show, also known as CES, is an industry trade show that features the biggest tech players from around the world, showcasing their latest consumer technology through daily product launches, keynotes, activations, and demos. The annual event, which has found a permanent home at the Las Vegas Convention Center and other nearby hotels, has been taking place for decades and has become a staple in the tech community.

When is CES 2026?

The official days of CES 2026 are Tuesday, Jan. 6, to Friday, Jan. 9. However, since Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 are media days, you can expect plenty of news to break before the conference even starts. Once the conference kicks off officially on Tuesday and the show floor opens, you will start to see reports related to each exhibitor's booths and demos.

Also: The 40 best products we tested in 2025: Editors' picks for phones, TVs, AI, and more

The major tech companies invest a hefty penny to secure CES booths in prime locations and, therefore, make them as elaborate as possible -- quite a sight to behold. To see them for yourself, follow ZDNET's video platforms (YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram). 

Where is CES 2026 happening?

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CES has been held in Las Vegas, Nevada, since 1978. 

While the main show floor is located in the Las Vegas Convention Center, the conference expands to neighboring hotels, comprising two campuses: the Venetian campus and the C Space campus. The Venetian campus includes the Venetian, Palazzo, and Wynn, while the C Space campus includes the Aria, Vdara, Cosmopolitan, and Park MGM. There are a total of 12 official venues, spanning over 2.5 million net square feet, according to the CES website.

Who can attend CES 2026?

Although it is a trade show that includes the term "consumer" in its title, it is not open to the general public. 

Per the CES website, "CES is a trade-only event for individuals 18 years of age or older and affiliated with the consumer technology industry." The three registration types are industry and media attendees and exhibitor personnel, and you must meet a long list of registration requirements for each.

Also: LG unveils its first Micro RGB TV ahead of CES 2026, and it's got OLED users feeling envy

Even if you meet the qualifications, you still have to pay to attend. There are two ticket tiers: the Exhibits Plus Pass, priced at $350, and the Deluxe Conference Pass, priced at $1,700. Full details on exactly who is eligible to attend and how to prove eligibility can be found on the CES registration page. According to CTA data, there were 142,465 attendees in 2025.

If you don't qualify, fret not; most companies will livestream their keynotes, and ZDNET will update its site daily with more news.

Which companies will be at CES 2026?

The list of companies exhibiting at CES is extensive; CES 2025 featured more than 4,500 exhibitors. Attendees include big names such as Nvidia, Qualcomm, Intel, Samsung, and Hisense. 

The full list is publicly available and can be reviewed here. 

What can you expect at CES 2026?

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

At CES, you can always expect the release of numerous pieces of hardware, with new PCs and TVs being a significant part of the show. While not as flashy, some other important announcements will likely include the latest processors from the leading chip companies, such as Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm, which are especially notable as they will power the latest features, including AI, in upcoming devices.

In terms of themes, you can expect to hear a lot about AI, whether it's being used to create more functional smart home devices, fitness trackers, assistants, robotics, device features, or powering systems for businesses and enterprise.

How to watch CES 2026

Major companies will be holding live streams, so it is worth checking their YouTube pages and social media for the links. You can follow the official CES YouTube feed here. ZDNET will have a team covering the event on the ground, as well as one covering the event remotely to ensure you don't miss a thing.