aquanale is the leading International Trade Fair for Sauna.Pool.Ambience, hosted every two years in Cologne. It brings together the entire value chain in the private and public pool, sauna and wellness industries – covering everything from innovative swimming pool and sauna technologies to water treatment, design, materials and sustainability all the way through to holistic concepts for operation and use.
As the international platform for business and innovation, aquanale attracts manufacturers, skilled trade businesses specialising in swimming pools and saunas, designers, garden landscaping companies, architects, landscape architects, planners, operators and investors from across the world. The high proportion of international exhibitors and visitors underscores the event’s role as the global gathering for showcasing forward-looking water and wellness solutions.
aquanale was created in 2003 in response to a clear need within the German swimming pool and sauna industries for an independent, innovative event platform with a global orientation. As an internationally recognised leader in quality and innovation, the sector was looking for a format that would cover technological excellence, ambitious design and sustainability with a 360° approach and a strong health focus – in short, an event that went far beyond a conventional product showcase or technology expo. Cologne was consciously chosen because of its central location and international reputation as an event venue: FSB was already established as an international format aimed at relevant target groups, creating an ideal environment for positioning aquanale.
Since its debut, aquanale has therefore been conceived as the leading international trade fair for the sector: as a forum for knowledge transfers, networking and strategic discussions about the future of sauna, pool and wellness concepts in private and public facilities.
International standing and #bettertogether with FSB
aquanale occupies a unique position in the international event landscape. It is the only event in the world that strategically links the sauna, pool and wellness sectors with FSB, the co-located International Trade Fair for Public Space, Sports and Leisure Facilities.
Under the banner of #bettertogether, they create a trade fair format in Cologne that is one of a kind worldwide and brings together indoor and outdoor spaces, private and public facilities, and sports, leisure and health infrastructure. For exhibitors and visitors, these synergies mean expanded target groups, new business opportunities and a comprehensive overview of forward-looking living environments and spaces for movement.
aquanale has made presenting sauna culture as a cultural and social asset one of the cornerstones of its mission. Continuing its strategic partnership with the industry association Sauna from Finland underscores the credibility of this goal and further enhances its international appeal.
As the birthplace of the sauna, Finland is synonymous worldwide with authenticity, quality, craftsmanship and a vibrant sauna culture. Collaborating closely with its Finnish partners enables aquanale to combine traditional values with modern applications, contemporary design approaches and sustainable technologies – and to position saunas as an essential element of twenty-first century health and wellness concepts and modern living.
aquanale responds to major developments in the international sauna and wellness industries:
In collaboration with Koelnmesse, the European Waterpark Association presented a special Digital Waterpark event at aquanale 2025, demonstrating that the dramatic developments in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and digital tools have long since also left their mark on the pool and leisure industry. Our EWA Lounge once again became the central meeting point in Hall 8, and we were delighted to welcome many guests.
Dr Klaus Batz, Managing Director
European Waterpark Association e.V.
We were impressed by the professionalism of everyone involved and the superb organisation – from the trade fair itself to the trade fair party. Despite a challenging economic environment, we sensed an overwhelmingly positive mood – among both German and international participants. It has encouraged us as we plan for the coming season.
Armin Herger, Managing Director
SPECK Pumpen
aquanale was an inspiring and well-organised event with an outstanding atmosphere and valuable sector contacts. For Sauna from Finland, it’s an important platform for meeting partners, discovering new trends and exchanging ideas. We came away with lots of new contacts and plenty of fresh inspiration for future projects. We’re already looking forward to aquanale 2027!
Carita Harju, Executive Director
Sauna from Finland
A Warm Invitation
No matter where you are on your sauna journey, aquanale invites you to be part of a global community that shares a passion for sauna. Meet our team and connect with fellow enthusiasts at the World Sauna Forum 2026 this June.
