SEMA’s own home page says it in one sentence: “The SEMA Show is a trade-only event and only open to the general public on Friday, November 6th.” The dates are “NOVEMBER 3-6, 2026” at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road, with show hours 9am to 5pm Tuesday through Thursday and 9am to 4pm Friday. Its attendee FAQ closes the door on enthusiasts the rest of the week: “If you are unemployed, retired, a car club member, hobbyist, collector, or car enthusiast, you do not qualify to receive a badge.”
The public Friday
The ticket is “SEMA Show Friday – Public Day (Must Be 16+),” valid on Friday 6 November only, for the show floor from 9am to 4pm, at “$130 No Hidden Fees” on the show’s site and $140 on the SEMA Fest site. Bundles with the concert are $170 general and $210 VIP, the VIP sold out. The rules: “Each person must pick up their own ticket. NO EXCEPTIONS,” with government photo ID, “No day-of purchases,” pickup Friday 7:30am to 2pm at show registration in the South and West Halls, and all sales final. The Friday ticket “Does not grant access to the SEMA Fest concert in the Bronze Lot.”
SEMA Fest
The Friday-night public event is SEMA Fest in the convention center’s Bronze Lot, gates at 3pm, with The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World, 311 and Alive on the 2026 bill. Fest-only tickets are $80 general; VIP at $120 is sold out. A SEMA Show badge does not include it. SEMA Ignited, the older after-party, no longer appears for 2026; its domain does not resolve and the only mention left on SEMA’s site carries 2023 prices.
Before you go
If you are not in the trade, buy the Friday ticket in advance and bring the ID that matches it. If you are, the show runs four days and the Friday is the one to avoid. Next year’s dates are already posted: 2 to 5 November 2027.
Can the public attend the SEMA Show?
Only on Friday 6 November 2026, with a $130 public day ticket for ages 16 and up, bought in advance, per SEMA. The rest of the show is trade only.
When is SEMA 2026?
Tuesday 3 to Friday 6 November 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 9am to 5pm, closing at 4pm on the Friday.
What is SEMA Fest?
The public Friday-night concert in the Bronze Lot, gates at 3pm, $80 general admission, with The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World, 311 and Alive. The show badge and the public Friday ticket do not include it.
- Source: SEMA Show, home page (dates, trade-only line), read 26 October 2026
- Source: SEMA Show, Public (Friday ticket, pickup rules, SEMA Fest lineup), read 26 October 2026
- Source: SEMA Show, Attendee (badge eligibility, hours), read 26 October 2026
- Source: SEMA Fest (tickets), read 26 October 2026