Performance Days 2025 Fair Breaks Attendance Records

Performance Days concluded its latest edition on October 30, 2025, in Munich with record-breaking attendance and strong industry participation, reaffirming its status as the leading business platform for functional textiles.

Over two days, the event attracted around 4,500 professional visitors and 515 exhibitors from across the globe. The fair impressed with its expanded show areas, high visitor quality and a top-class programme that combined innovation, education and sustainability. The mood was described as energetic and forward-looking, with the organizers emphasizing that the event truly reflected the pulse of the industry.

This year’s focus topic, ‘Textile to Textile – The Role of Recyclers,’ was a unifying theme throughout the fair, featured prominently in the Trend Forum, exhibitor booths and expert presentations. The topic underlined the textile industry’s growing commitment to circularity and recyclability, two defining issues for the sector’s future.

Performance Days CEO Marco Weichert said the event’s success lay in its ability to inspire, connect and create a productive yet relaxed atmosphere. “Our goal is to offer two days filled with inspiration, education, new ideas, fabric innovations and a spirit of collaboration,” he noted. “The feedback we received shows we’re on the right track.”

Innovation was a clear focus throughout the show. The redesigned Innovation Area and the new Innovation Hub by FFE (Future Fabrics Expo), created in collaboration with the London-based Future Fabrics Expo, offered visitors deep insights into sustainable material development and upcoming EU regulations.

The area also presented tangible solutions for building the textiles of tomorrow, encouraging the industry to explore materials that can replace traditional fibres like virgin polyester and conventional cotton. The newly launched Creative Area, developed with designer and colour specialist Nora Kühner, drew large crowds with its unique blend of design and function, featuring upcycled design pieces and material combinations that perfectly embodied the theme of “Fashion meets Function.”

The Footwear Area was another major highlight, presenting the latest developments in sole technology and hosting interactive workshops with experts and designers Defne Yalkut and Richard Kuchinsky.

Meanwhile, the Wool Area, organized in partnership with the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO), Woolmark, and the Campaign for Wool, received high praise for its focused layout and rich technical content. Magdalena White of IWTO described the area as a “well-curated material library,” emphasizing how the fair allows professionals to access concentrated, relevant information without having to navigate endless aisles.

Sustainability also took centre stage at the newly designed Sustainability Lounge, which adopted a more open and interactive format this year. According to Anna Rodewald of Greenroomvoice, the new concept attracted a diverse audience, including more young professionals eager to learn and exchange ideas.

Visitors appreciated the clarity of information and the depth of content presented, while Niccy Kol of Raddis Cotton highlighted the event’s positive energy and thoughtful design, saying, “The fair has evolved beautifully, visitors stay, learn and connect in a relaxed, inspiring atmosphere.”

The DAY 0 Conference, held on the eve of the show, was another standout success. Returning for its second edition, it continued to redefine the traditional conference format with an interactive, workshop-based concept under the theme “In Nature, There Is No Waste.” Led by textile expert Bowie Miles, the session encouraged participants to rethink processes and reconnect with natural principles through collaboration and creativity.

Attendees described it as dynamic, engaging and filled with energy. Stewart Sheppard, S2 Consultant, praised the format for “pushing participants out of their comfort zone and fostering genuine interaction,” while Thermore’s Andrea Ingrosso called it “the most inspiring and energizing start to the fair.”

Throughout both days, the Expert Talks Stage remained a central attraction, hosting discussions and panels focused on recycling, circularity, innovation and new regulations. Industry leaders and sustainability pioneers shared insights on how functional textiles are evolving to meet the demands of a more responsible future.

Eva Doll, Brand Strategy Manager EMEA at Polygiene, commented that each edition of Performance Days continues to raise the bar in quality and relevance, calling it “the best show out there.”

With record visitor numbers, an impressive lineup of exhibitors, and an atmosphere of optimism, Performance Days 2025 demonstrated its role as a vital platform for innovation and sustainability in the functional fabric industry.

The event’s combination of forward-thinking concepts, meaningful collaboration and global engagement left a clear message: the functional textile sector is evolving rapidly, and Performance Days continues to lead that transformation. The organizers have already set their sights on 2026, with confidence and momentum carrying forward into the next edition.