NTHEGA Congress 2026 sets another attendance record; the Association of Touring Theatres announces expansion of the theatre market from 2027 onwards

From 29 June to 1 July, around 900 cultural leaders, event organisers and performing arts professionals from across the German-speaking world flocked to the 2026 INTHEGA Congress. As the leading trade fair for touring theatre in the German-speaking world, the conference thus set a new visitor record and impressively demonstrated that the demand for exchange, networking and high-quality touring productions is greater than ever. The event was organised by INTHEGA e.V. – the trade association for the touring theatre sector. The aim of the annual industry gathering is to facilitate dialogue between organisers and producers, as well as to plan programmes for upcoming seasons. A particular focus this year was on the INTHEGA Theatre Market: 180 exhibitors presented their productions there, covering drama, musical theatre, children’s and youth theatre, variety shows and cabaret – all available for booking for the 2027/28 season. The high level of demand underlines the importance of the theatre market for those towns and local authorities that do not maintain their own theatre companies or permanent venues.

Expansion in 2027

To meet the rapidly growing demand from exhibitors, INTHEGA will expand the Theatre Market from 2027 onwards. In particular, providers and partners from the music and concert industry are seeking to increase their presence here. INTHEGA President Dorothee Starke: “With the targeted expansion of the Theatre Market, which underlines INTHEGA’s leading position in the touring theatre sector, we are continuing our core mission of facilitating intensive exchange between artists, organisers and service providers, whilst at the same time harnessing new impetus from the music and concert sector. Our visitors will benefit from an even more comprehensive range of offerings, resulting in concrete business connections, partnerships and – above all – high-quality cultural programmes for our local communities.”

An appeal to cultural policy

On the evening of the INTHEGA Awards ceremony, President Dorothee Starke spoke forcefully about the current state of cultural policy. Referring to social studies showing that around three-quarters of people in Germany are concerned about social cohesion, she described the theatre as a place of guidance and democratic understanding. The idea of democracy has been closely linked to the idea of theatre since ancient Greece. Particularly in a time of growing uncertainty, the theatre therefore possesses a special power: it opens up spaces for exchange, a change of perspective and social dialogue. In no uncertain terms, Starke warned against the political instrumentalisation of art and culture. “No political party must call the freedom of art into question,” she said. This criticism was explicitly directed “not only against the AfD, but also against the so-called established mainstream parties at federal level”, emphasised the INTHEGA President.

What is INTHEGA?

INTHEGA (Interessengemeinschaft der Städte mit Theatergastspielen e. V.) is the trade association for the touring theatre sector, representing more than 400 local authorities in German-speaking countries. Its members include towns, municipalities, associations and other institutions responsible for local cultural programmes, which draw on the offerings of touring theatre producers for this purpose. The association aims to support the work of touring production organisers and thus promotes high-calibre, high-quality cultural events, including in rural areas.