By Fuelish Media
Every year, our calendar is filled with a number of major events, but none compares to the annual SEMA Show held during the first week of November at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The next Sema Show takes place November 3rd through November 6th, 2026. Put on by the Specialty Equipment Market Association, aka SEMA, this event was first created in 1967 when it was hosted in the basement of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. It was formed as a trade show for businesses to showcase the latest and greatest products to industry buyers to purchase and media to boast about.
What some people don’t realize is that this event is not a car show; it is a trade show to support aftermarket manufacturers. That means this really isn’t an event you bring your family to share memories with some cool vehicles, or one where you casually drive your pride and joy in hopes of winning a trophy. In fact, this event is only open to industry professionals for the first few days, and all vehicles must be invited by an exhibiting company.
So yeah, the 1.2 million square feet of show floor isn’t an open field of custom vehicles but rather a space for aftermarket manufacturers to set up booths and conduct business. Now, it just so happens that companies with larger budgets rent out larger spaces that can command a better presence. Most of the time, these booths are large enough to display vehicles and products to capture attention and start conversations about future trades.
A centerpiece of the show is the Battle of the Builders competition, which showcases extraordinary creations by top global customizers. The sheer variety was impressive, showcasing everything from meticulously restored vintage hot rods to dramatically customized iconic haulers. Every vehicle is a testament to design and engineering prowess, with judges rigorously scoring each entrant based on its originality, craftsmanship, and visual impact.
This year we noticed a few trucks in the mix with a couple finalists, too. First up we had Dustyn Dell’s LT4-powered, all-wheel-drive 1969 Chevy C10, which was a perfect mix of form and function and a Top 12 finalist. Then there was Thomas Dickerson’s 1967 Chevy C10 that featured many unique pieces and was the Young Guns category winner. Other rides we liked seeing were Rockford Smith’s “Spirit of ’76” Chevy K10, Chris Pate’s Chevy Tahoe, Legacy EV’s electric “the Ghosted ’66” C10, and Terry and Sara Rose’s “Wicked” 1959 Chevy Suburban.
We do have to state the obvious: there have been a few changes to the SEMA Show that made this year’s experience a bit different. First of all, the convention center is going through a bit of a facelift that has created obstacles when walking around, but will make for a grander event in the future. The other is the welcoming of paid public attendees on the final day, which coincides with the recent addition of the SEMA Fest finale of the show.
Though there have been some changes with additional activities and openness to who can join in, we had an amazing time cruising the field and seeing all that the automotive aftermarket has to offer. Of course, seeing all the breathtaking trucks is definitely the highlight for us, but we have to be honest: there is no other automotive event in the world (and yes, we have circled the globe attending other events) that comes close to the weight of the SEMA Show.
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
More great SEMA coverage and news here.
