The 83rd OLMA will take place from 8 to 18 October 2026. Eleven days, around 330,000 visitors, 640 exhibitors. The slogan is ‘OLMA – and Action!’. What this means is that games, sport and hands-on activities will be given significantly more space in 2026. Agriculture and food remain the central theme around which everything revolves. Added to this are culinary delights, research, folk culture and family activities.
The Swiss trade fair for agriculture and food has been running for over 80 years. It brings producers and consumers together in one place, as well as experts and families, and the city and the countryside. This is achieved through products, tastings and face-to-face conversations.
The guest of honour is the canton of Schwyz. Its exhibition is entitled ‘Schwyz delivers’. Across around 1,000 square metres, the canton is bringing people, products, culture and traditions to St. Gallen – from trade and tourism to the Hölloch. The special exhibition showcases what Schwyz stands for: agriculture, trade, industry, tourism, living folk culture and regional products.
Schwyz isn’t confined to the exhibition hall. Throughout the city of St. Gallen, there will be Schwyz-style cuisine and musical performances, followed by the parade on 10 October 2026. Around 1,300 people from Schwyz will be taking part.
The biggest new feature is in Hall 9.0. This is where the OLMA Action Area is being created – a space for play, sport, gaming and physical activity. Visitors don’t just watch here; they join in and stay longer. The format is aimed at families, young people and adults who enjoy being active.
ArboPark occupies the largest part of the space. Its ‘Action & Fun Arena’ measures over 2,200 square metres and features more than ten attractions: interactive games, skill-based activities and exercise opportunities. In addition, ArboPark plans to unveil a world first at OLMA.
Other partners round out the hall. Padelwerk is providing courts for an easy introduction to the trendy sport of padel. Bau-Chaschte is building a LEGO landscape featuring over 100 metres of tracks, moving models and open-plan building areas where visitors can join in the construction. There’s also Farming Simulator and Bull Riding.
The Swiss Army is hosting one of the major special exhibitions. Across around 2,000 square metres, it will showcase tasks that remain abstract in everyday life: cyber defence, drone technology, mechanised troops and international missions. Vehicles, simulations and insights into operations bring the technology, organisation and the people behind them to life.
Logistics, catering, veterinary services and military music are also represented, along with information on career opportunities. On 14 October 2026, Army Day will take place, featuring demonstrations in the arena.
EPFL is setting up its own research area. Under the title ‘Protect, Cultivate, Nourish – Research for the Agriculture and Food of Tomorrow’, the university is showcasing projects and start-ups from the agriculture and food sectors. The focus is on plants under stress, healthy soils and the question of how food systems are changing.
Start-ups will have their own space in Hall 2.1. At Startup Square, they will present new products and engage directly with the public. For the founders, OLMA serves as a test run with immediate feedback.
In 2026, the special exhibition ‘Erlebnis Nahrig’ will focus on the potato, under the motto ‘Small when planted, much loved’. It traces the journey from field to plate: farm, processing, shop. This includes live cooking stations, tastings and a potato cinema for children.
The OLMA Gourmet Market, presented by LAVEBA, brings together producers from all over Switzerland. The ‘Brennwerk’ complements the area with regional distilleries, spirits and liqueurs. The OLMA Alpine Cheese Awards are being held for the 25th time, featuring tastings and discussions with the producers. Also on the programme are the ‘Alles Gurkä?!’ product showcase, Farmers’ Wives’ Day and the LandStadtTisch organised by the St. Gallen Farmers’ Association.