Comparison matrix
Two to four shows, side by side, on the numbers that decide a booth: delegations, attendance, floor space and what a credible stand costs. Rows marked estimate come from the research layer, not from an organiser price list.
| Attribute | European Defence Tech Hackathon (EDTH)Remove European Defence Tech Hackathon (EDTH)17–18 Oct 2026 | MSPO – International Defence Industry ExhibitionRemove MSPO – International Defence Industry Exhibition8–11 Sept 2026 | NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days 2026Remove NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days 202619–20 Sept 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | 17–18 Oct 20262 days | 8–11 Sept 20264 days | 19–20 Sept 20262 days |
| Registration | 1 Oct 2026Closes in 5W | — | — |
| Location | Munich, Germany | Kielce, PolandTargi Kielce Exhibition & Congress Centre | Ostrava, Czech RepublicLeoš Janáček Ostrava Airport (Mošnov) |
| Format | Hackathons & innovation challengesEuropeNATO | Trade shows & exhibitionsEurope | Trade shows & exhibitionsEuropeNATO |
| Attendanceestimate | 200-400 participants | ~39,000 visitors from 56 countries (2025) | ~100,000 visitors in 2025 (25th edition); organizers historically cite up to ~200,000 |
| Exhibitorsestimate | — | ~1,000 exhibitors from 35 countries (2026 record; 811 in 2025) | — |
| Delegationsestimate | — | 170 official delegations from 42 countries (2025) | Under flags of 17 partner nations and NATO in 2025; distinguished guests include Czech government, NATO/EU officials, ambassadors and military attachés |
| Floor spaceestimate | — | ~40,000 sqm, fully sold out for 2026 | — |
| Budget tierestimate | — | Flagship | — |
| Exhibitor costestimate | — | Est. EUR 200-400/sqm raw space; typical stand EUR 15,000-80,000+ (no public rate card; 2026 sold out) | — |
| Visitor costestimate | free | 180 PLN (~€42) single-entry; 330 PLN (~€76) 4-day pass; free for military/uniformed services with invitation | Free admission for all visitors (both days) |
| Audience | StartupsInvestorsSMEs | PrimesSMEsStartupsInstitutions | PrimesInstitutionsSMEs |
| Topics | C-UASAIISR & SensorsDual-use | Land systemsAirMaritimeCyberUAS / DronesC-UASAutonomy & RoboticsAir & Missile DefenceMunitions & MissilesSoldier SystemsC2 / Battle ManagementISR & SensorsEWAISimulation & TrainingCBRNDefence MedicalLogisticsProcurement | AirLand systemsAir & Missile DefenceUAS / Drones |
| Organiser | European Defense Tech Hackathon | Targi Kielce S.A. | Jagello 2000 (with the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces and regional integrated rescue services) |
| Editionestimate | — | 34th edition (annual since 1993) | 26th NATO Days & 17th Czech Air Force Days in 2026 (first held 2001) |
| Patronageestimate | — | Honorary patronage of the President of Poland; co-organized with the Ministry of National Defence, PGZ as Strategic Partner | Held under the auspices of the President of the Czech Republic and under NATO flags; supported by the Czech MoD, MFA and NATO's Public Diplomacy Division |
| Why it matters | The fastest way for engineers and early founders to plug into the European defence-tech builder scene, meet operators and get noticed by funds active in the space. | MSPO is one of the highest-value contracting forums in Europe: the 2025 edition saw over PLN 6 billion in defence contracts signed on-site, making it a critical venue for business development in Central and Eastern European procurement markets. Poland's status as one of the EU's most active defence spenders — with the largest NATO GDP-percentage defence budget — gives suppliers direct access to live procurement pipelines and senior ministry decision-makers. For SMEs and startups, the Canadian Lead Nation programme, B2B matchmaking, and the DEFENDER awards offer structured pathways to partnerships, export opportunities, and visibility with global primes and government buyers. | As NATO's flagship public-communications event in Central Europe, it puts allied air, land and rescue capabilities in front of national leadership, ambassadors, military attachés and hundreds of thousands of visitors, giving suppliers high-visibility exposure alongside primes and government forces. The Special Partner Nation mechanism (Germany in 2026) has historically opened industrial and political cooperation opportunities, and the show serves as a debut platform for new platforms and modernization programs relevant to Czech and allied procurement. |
| Links | DossierOfficial site | DossierOfficial site | DossierOfficial site |
Estimates are compiled from public organiser material and press coverage, and are indicative only. Confirm pricing with the organiser before committing budget. Research confidence: European Defence Tech Hackathon (EDTH) — not researched; MSPO – International Defence Industry Exhibition — high; NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days 2026 — medium.