The Jeddah International Motor Show 2026 is placing technological innovation at the centre of its accompanying programme, with a hackathon designed to draw pioneering ideas into the automotive sector and give them room to develop, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The event, held at the Jeddah Center for Exhibits and Events, runs from November 4 to 7, 2026.
The hackathon is organised around four main tracks: artificial intelligence and smart mobility; electric mobility and sustainability; the digital customer experience; and the future of business and innovation. Participants move through an intensive programme that combines training, mentorship and the building of technological solutions, which they then present before specialised judging panels, with the programme also opening doors to incubate and refine promising ideas.
A central element of the programme is a 36-hour international automotive innovation challenge that brings together university students, innovators, entrepreneurs and startup founders, who work in teams to develop advanced technological solutions. The format is intended to turn early-stage concepts into workable proposals that can be carried forward beyond the exhibition floor.
The technological focus adds a further layer to the معرض جدة الدولي للسيارات 2026, which opened its twentieth edition with international participation and future mobility technologies. By pairing the exhibition with a competitive innovation programme, the organisers are positioning the event as a meeting point for industry players and emerging talent alike.