JEDDAH: Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia, organizer of Automechanika Riyadh and Beautyworld Riyadh, has announced the postponement of the upcoming editions to next year, according to official statements.
Originally scheduled to take place from May 4 to 6 and May 18 to 20, respectively, the two events will now return to the Kingdom in 2027, Messe Frankfurt said.
A wave of scheduling adjustments is sweeping major regional events, as organizers reassess timelines in response to the evolving Iran war, which has disrupted travel, logistics, and business confidence across the Middle East.
With airspace closures, supply chain disruptions, and heightened security concerns, planners are prioritizing safety while aiming to preserve international participation and commercial impact.
Automechanika Riyadh is part of the global Automechanika network and plays a key role in connecting manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and buyers across the country’s rising automotive sector.
“The decision follows a careful and ongoing assessment of the current regional environment and prioritizes the safety, well-being, and confidence of customers, partners, and staff, while ensuring the event maintains the full international scale, high-calibre, and value for which the global Automechanika brand is renowned,” the statement said.
As for Beautyworld Riyadh, the German-based global trade fair, congress, and event organizer said following recent developments in the region and an ongoing assessment of their implications, the event’s organizers determined that rescheduling the show to 2027 would help maintain its international scale, high quality participation, and strong commercial value, while placing the safety, wellbeing, and trust of exhibitors, sponsors, partners, and staff at the forefront.
Martyn Cox, show director at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, or MFME, said the decision to postpone Automechanika Riyadh was not taken lightly.
“Automechanika Riyadh has quickly established itself as an important platform for the Saudi automotive aftermarket. However, our responsibility is to bring the industry together in a way that is safe, commercially valuable, and truly international in scale,” he said.
He added that, given the current environment and with the event only weeks away, the decision ensures the delivery of the “strongest” possible business outcomes for exhibitors, partners, and visitors.
Chris Lee, portfolio director for mobility and logistics at MFME, said: “We have taken the decision to focus on returning with a stronger, larger and more impactful event in 2027, one that reflects the ambition of the Saudi market and the strength of the global Automechanika brand.”
Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia noted that further information regarding the new 2027 dates will be released in due course, stressing that it remains fully committed to the long-term development of Automechanika Riyadh and to supporting the growth of the automotive aftermarket sector in the Kingdom, in line with Vision 2030.
Commenting on the postponement of Beautyworld Riyadh, an exhibition that connects global and regional players in the beauty, cosmetics, and personal care industry to showcase products and explore business opportunities, Teresa Heitor, portfolio director of consumer goods at MFME, said: “This decision follows extensive consultation with our stakeholders across the market and a careful assessment of the current operating environment.”
Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia’s portfolio of exhibitions also includes ACHEMA Middle East, AERO Middle East, and Intersec Saudi Arabia, and in 2025 it brought together more than 1,300 exhibitors and 60,000 visitors from over 70 countries to the Kingdom.
The postponements come amid a broader wave of scheduling adjustments for major regional events, including the Bloomberg-backed Qatar Economic Forum.
Organizers announced that the 2026 edition has been postponed to a later date in the year, citing ongoing developments in the region, similar to Messe Frankfurt’s justification.
The event organizers said that the decision was taken by Bloomberg Media and Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry in consultation with partners, considering ongoing developments in the region.
“The forum will be held again under conditions that allow strong international participation and a high-quality experience for all,” Qatar News Agency reported, citing a statement by the organizers.
