Upcoming Trade Shows Wels, Austria for Sports & Fitness

When you hear the words sports and fitness your mind goes to gyms, contact sports, gadgets and yoga, but for Wels, equestrianism is what makes up the bulk of the city’s sport and fitness industry. Wels, located in Upper Austria, has always had ties to horse breeding and horse riding, which led it to becoming the home to PFERD Wels and as a result brand the city as one of the big national epicenters for the equestrian industry. Austria’s premier horse trade fair is only growing bigger and better and in 2025 moved to a new location and debuted a brand new layout. The event is expected to draw significant interest from both professionals and leisure riders, highlighting Wels’ growing importance in Austria’s wider sports and fitness industry. At the core of PFERD Wels is its role as a big marketplace. In collaboration with the Austrian Warmblood Breeding Association (AWÖ), the A-Horse Sales presentation will again give prospective buyers a rare chance to view and acquire three- to seven-year-old sport horses. Following strong demand in 2024, the 2025 edition will feature elite young jumpers and dressage horses from renowned breeders. Competitive sports also take center stage. A new Western Horse Show will debut, including the Federal State Team Championship (BLMM), while the Working Equitation Tournament (another first for Wels) will bring elite national and international riders to the fore. Show jumping remains a main attraction, with the CSN-A National Tournament culminating in the Grand Prix of the Wels Trade Fair. The show’s big signature events, among which is the acclaimed “Night of the Horses – It's Magic!” also draw in a large, non-professional crowd. The broad supporting program, high-end infrastructure and the loving support of Austria’s equestrian heritage are what keep PFERD Wels at the top of international horse events and drives economic growth to the city’s sports industry.