Decision point: planning stand design, approval and shipping according to Messe München's rules
Messe München Exhibition Grounds: Exhibitor and Visitor Guide
In the halls at the Messe München exhibition grounds, a single-storey stand that follows the technical rules needs no drawing approval as long as it stays within 100 m² and 3 m; larger or taller stands, multi-storey structures and mobile stands are subject to approval. Each suspension point in the hall ceiling carries a vertical load of up to 100 kg (1 kN); heavier loads are considered only on request. Two-storey stands are possible only in halls A1–A6, B1–B6 and C1–C6, and only with prior approval. According to the Technical Guidelines, haulage, the use of cranes and forklifts, and customs clearance for temporary or permanent importation on the grounds are left to Messe München's contracted official forwarding agents (Technical Guidelines, sections 3.1, 4.2, 4.7.5.1, 4.9.1 and 5.14).
The rules in this article follow the March 2026 edition of Messe München's Technical Guidelines (Status: March 2026). Which edition applies to a given fair, and event-specific conditions such as set-up and dismantling dates, opening hours and maximum height, are written in the Special Terms of Participation (B) and the Important Notes issued to exhibitors. These documents should be checked at the official source before stand design begins.
Messe München operates four event venues: the Trade Fair Center, the ICM, the MOC and the CCN (travel information). This guide covers the Trade Fair Center Messe München in Munich-Riem, that is, the exhibition grounds. The owner of the grounds is Messe München GmbH, Am Messesee 2, 81829 Munich (Technical Guidelines, section 1.1).
Article date: 13 October 2026.
How are the grounds and halls laid out?
According to the Trade Fair Center page, the grounds have around 200,000 m² of exhibition space and 18 halls: A1–A6, B1–B6 and C1–C6. Each hall has its own delivery zone (Trade Fair Center). Hall B0 in the ICM is separate from these. The Technical Guidelines give hall data by group (Technical Guidelines, section 3.1):
- Entrances: every hall except B0 can be reached by vehicle; each has at least 6 entrances measuring 4.50 m × 4.50 m. Hall B0 has a single entrance measuring 12.50 m × 4 m.
- Height: about 11.50 m in central areas and about 10.75 m at the sides; in the high hall B6, about 16 m and 15.25 m respectively. In B0 the clearance is 4 m at the sides and 4.20 m in central areas.
- Floor: the maximum distributed load is stated as 5 t/m² (50 kN/m²) in all halls. Hall B0 has a parquet floor, and its load-bearing capacity is tested case by case.
How do you get to the grounds?
The official page gives the distance between Munich Airport and the grounds as 42 km (travel information). From the airport, the Airport Messe München Shuttle buses run non-stop to the grounds; a single journey takes about 45 minutes. By taxi the journey takes about 35 minutes.
The grounds are reached by Underground line U2, which connects to the stations Messestadt West and Messestadt Ost and takes just under 20 minutes from Munich Hauptbahnhof without a change. By car, the grounds lie directly on the A94 motorway, with exits Feldkirchen-West (no. 6) and München-Riem (no. 5). The page asks drivers not to enter a specific destination in their navigation system.
Where do you stay?
Messe München offers an accommodation service for hotels, private rooms, apartments and holiday homes (accommodation page). Online booking channels are München Tourismus, TRADEFAIRS and CHECK-IN! for rooms, apartments and holiday homes.
What are the build-up, dismantling and vehicle access rules?
During the general build-up and dismantling periods, work in the halls and the outdoor area is carried out between 08:00 and 22:00 unless other times are set for the fair. On the last build-up day, construction work ends at 18:00 and the aisles next to the stand are kept clear from 18:00. Working outside these times is possible only in exceptional circumstances and with the written consent of the Technical Exhibitor Service (TES) (Technical Guidelines, section 1.2.1). The Guidelines note that the grounds are excessively full on the last two build-up days (section 1).
By the end of the dismantling period, stand construction material and exhibits have been removed and the area restored to its original condition; goods left behind may be removed and stored, or disposed of, by Messe München at the exhibitor's expense and risk (section 1.2.1). During a fair, the halls open one hour before the official opening time and close one hour after the official closing time; working on a stand outside this range needs TES's written consent (section 1.2.2).
- Speed and halls: the limit on the grounds is 20 km/h; inside the halls, vehicles move at walking pace and enter only to load and unload. Parking in the halls is strictly prohibited (section 1).
- During the fair: driving and parking on the grounds is strictly prohibited; Messe München can make exceptions and issue parking or entry permits (section 2.1).
What are the stand approval and technical rules?
The rules below come from the Technical Guidelines; section numbers are in brackets.
Which stands need approval?
In the halls, a single-storey stand that follows the technical rules needs no drawings submitted for approval if its floor space does not exceed 100 m² and its height does not exceed 3 m. All other stands, above all those larger than 100 m² or higher than 3 m, multi-storey stands and mobile stands, are subject to approval (section 4.2). In the outdoor area the threshold for single-storey stands is 50 m² or 5 m (section 4.2.1).
For approval, a dimensioned layout plan and elevation and sectional drawings are submitted to TES; escape and rescue routes are shown in a separate plan. For hall stands, the sketches are at a scale of at least 1:100 and are submitted by the deadline stated in the exhibitor services order documents; the Guidelines do not give the period in days. For multi-storey and specially designed stands, the "Application for Special Stand Designs" form is used; the form and the accompanying documents are in German. The cost of the approval procedure is charged to the exhibitor.
What is the stand height limit?
The standard height for stand structures and advertising hoardings is 3 m. The maximum construction height varies from event to event; it is written in the fair's Special Terms of Participation (B) or Important Notes and may be exceeded only with TES's prior written approval. Exhibits are normally not subject to this limit but should be reported to TES before the event (section 4.3).
What rules apply to ceilings and sprinklers?
All halls are equipped with sprinkler systems; every second utility duct has a main sprinkler connection from which stands can be supplied (sections 3.1 and 3.1.4). On stands with a single covered area above 30 m², a sprinkler system is installed, with one sprinkler unit for every 12 m² or part thereof; rooms and cabins beneath the stand ceiling are included. A stand ceiling may not hinder the sprinkler system; all stand ceilings need TES's prior written approval and registration (section 4.4.2).
How do suspended loads and suspension points work?
Each suspension point in the hall ceiling carries a maximum vertical load of 100 kg (1 kN) (section 3.1 and section 4.7.5.1). Only Messe München provides the points, and changes to the ceiling structure are made only by specialist subcontractors it appoints. The exhibitor attaches a plan to the order showing the desired position and height; where structurally feasible, a point is provided at the desired position above the stand. Suspended items may only be located above and within the stand confines. Heavier loads are considered only on request.
The limit for distributed load depends on the period: for events from 1 October to 15 May, at most 5 kg/m²; from 16 May to 30 September, at most 20 kg/m² if the load is distributed evenly and close to the girder; in halls C5 and C6, at most 20 kg/m² year-round. If the limit is exceeded or the load is uneven, static inspections may be necessary at the exhibitor's cost. Stand structures cannot be supported by securing them to the hall roof (section 3.1).
What is required for a two-storey stand?
Two-storey stands can be built only in halls A1–A6, B1–B6 and C1–C6, and only with prior approval; hall B0 cannot accommodate them (section 4.9.1). Approval is given jointly by the Munich Municipal Fire Department, the Messe München exhibition management responsible for the fair, and TES; the effect of the stand on the design and transparency of the hall and on neighbouring stands is a key factor. The application is made on the "Application for Special Stand Designs" form, in German, by the deadline (section 4.2.1). The limits:
- Clear height: at least 2.40 m on the lower and upper floors (section 4.9.2).
- Sprinklers: a sprinkler system according to VDS regulations if the covered area exceeds 30 m², with one unit for every 12 m² or part thereof (section 4.9.2).
- Upper-floor load: 3 kN/m² for meeting and office areas; 5 kN/m² for exhibition and sales areas (section 4.9.3).
- Escape: the escape route from the upper floor to a main hall aisle is at most 25 m. One stairway is enough for an upper floor up to 100 m²; a larger one needs at least two stairways at opposite ends (section 4.9.4).
How is electricity supplied?
The halls supply 230 V (±10%) 50 Hz single-phase and 3 × 400 V (±10%) 50 Hz three-phase current; the hall capacity is 200 W/m² (section 3.1.1 and section 3.1.2). The main connection, cabling, master fuse and meter are fitted only by Messe München or its appointed contractors. Electrical work within the stand is done by the exhibitor's own electrical fitters or approved contractors in line with VDE and VDS regulations; the installation is inspected by an expert organised by Messe München. Generators may not be used without TES's prior written approval (section 5.3.1 to section 5.3.3).
What limits apply to the hall floor, building fabric and escape routes?
- Building fabric: hall components and technical facilities may not be drilled, nailed or screwed, and paint, wallpaper or adhesives may not be applied to them; no bolts or anchorages for stand structures may be fitted (section 4.7.3).
- Floor coverings: carpets and coverings are fixed only with adhesive tape that leaves no traces when removed (section 4.7.4).
- Exits: the exits and aisles shown in the hall plans are kept clear over their full width; on main aisles a passage at least 2 m wide stays clear (section 2.3.2). A stand with a floor area up to 100 m² needs one exit, a larger stand two; each exit is at least 0.90 m wide (section 4.5.1).
How do shipping, delivery and customs work on the grounds?
The Technical Guidelines state that Messe München's contracted official forwarding agents exercise sole forwarding agent rights on the grounds: haulage on site, forklifts, cranes and work platforms, and customs clearance for temporary or permanent importation are left to them. Only official forwarding agents may be appointed; in special cases TES's approval is needed. Messe München assumes no liability for risks arising from the activities of the official forwarding agents (sections 5.2 and 5.14, Technical Guidelines). Loading and unloading is reserved for Messe München's logistics partners (logistics and traffic page). For the Trade Fair Center, CCN and ICM, the forwarding agents are listed on the official page.
According to the page, parcels go directly to the stand by a carrier of the exhibitor's choice, while loading and unloading is reserved for the logistics partners as above. The page does not state where the line between parcels and loading falls (size, weight); the fair's traffic guide is consulted. The address is written as: fair name and year, exhibitor name, hall and stand number, Am Messesee 2, 81829 Munich. Messe München cannot accept goods on the exhibitor's behalf; the page says someone from the exhibitor's company, its employees or business partners must sign for the delivery on site. An exhibitor may instead have the forwarding agent accept the goods, store them and bring them to the stand at an agreed time after arrival (logistics and traffic page).
According to the logistics and traffic page, vehicle access during build-up and dismantling follows the traffic guide published for each fair. FairLog time-slot booking applies only on the days stated in the traffic guide, and the portal is open only at the times given there. Depending on expected traffic, entry to the grounds on the days stated in the guide may be tied to a deposit for a defined period: the deposit is paid in cash only, is refunded at the gate if the site is left within the period, and is not refunded on departure if the period is exceeded. The page also says that an exemption can be requested from the ban on driving on Sundays, public holidays and, in summer, Saturdays.
Which tasks does Inside Exhibition carry out on the exhibitor's behalf at fairs abroad?
Inside Exhibition is an Istanbul-based company focused on the design, technical documentation and build of custom-designed exhibition stands. For unplanned developments there are subcontractors abroad.
Who handles the approval drawing, technical application and correspondence?
For stands that need approval, Inside generally handles the drawings and technical applications, together with the correspondence on stand infrastructure, on the exhibitor's behalf. Messe München's approval rules and application documents are in the section above.
Which fairs have a published traffic guide at Messe München in 2026?
Messe München's logistics and traffic page publishes the 2026 traffic guides of these fairs: Performance Days Herbst, Wessels + Müller, INTERFORST, expopharm, Munich Show, Beauty Forum Festival, EXPO REAL, INTERGEO and electronica / SEMICON Europa. The list does not show the full range of fairs at the grounds. For dates, tickets and conditions of participation, see Messe München's events page and each fair's own website.
What does a visitor need?
Tickets and registration are handled on each fair's own website; visitor hours vary from fair to fair. For travel, accommodation and food and drink, see Messe München's pages on the Trade Fair Center, travel information, accommodation and gastronomy.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Messe München, and what is the address?
From Munich Hauptbahnhof, Underground line U2 reaches the grounds in just under 20 minutes without a change. By car, the grounds lie on the A94 motorway, with exits Feldkirchen-West (6) and München-Riem (5). The owner of the grounds, Messe München GmbH, has the address Am Messesee 2, 81829 Munich.
Where do you find a hotel for Messe München?
Messe München offers an accommodation service for hotels, private rooms, apartments and holiday homes; the online booking channels are München Tourismus, TRADEFAIRS and CHECK-IN!
Who handles shipping, cranes and forklifts at Messe München?
On the grounds, haulage, forklifts, cranes, platforms and customs clearance for temporary or permanent importation are left to Messe München's contracted official forwarding agents; in special cases TES's approval is needed (section 5.14). According to the logistics and traffic page, parcels go directly to the stand by a carrier of the exhibitor's choice; Messe München cannot accept goods on the exhibitor's behalf.
Which stands need approval at Messe München?
In the halls, single-storey stands that follow the technical rules need no drawing approval if they stay within 100 m² and 3 m; larger or taller stands, multi-storey stands and mobile stands are subject to approval (section 4.2). In the outdoor area the threshold for single-storey stands is 50 m² or 5 m (section 4.2.1). The deadline for submitting drawings is stated in the exhibitor services order documents.
Can a two-storey stand be built at Messe München, and how many kilograms can a suspension point carry?
A two-storey stand is possible only in halls A1–A6, B1–B6 and C1–C6 and only with prior approval; hall B0 cannot accommodate one (section 4.9.1). A suspension point carries a vertical load of up to 100 kg. Points are provided only by Messe München and, where structurally feasible, at the desired position; a distributed-load limit of 5 or 20 kg/m², depending on the period, applies in addition, and heavier loads are considered only on request (section 4.7.5.1).
How many halls does Messe München have?
According to the Trade Fair Center page, the grounds have 18 halls: A1–A6, B1–B6 and C1–C6. Hall B0 in the ICM is separate. The distributed floor load in all halls is stated as at most 5 t/m² (50 kN/m²) (Technical Guidelines, section 3.1).
For other grounds in Germany see the Messe Köln guide, the Messe Düsseldorf guide, the Messe Frankfurt guide, the Messe Nürnberg guide, the Messe Stuttgart guide and the Hannover Messe guide.