The National Farm Machinery Show returns to Louisville, Kentucky next week (February 11–14, 2026), bringing together more than 1,600 exhibitors and an expected 300,000+ attendees at the Kentucky Exposition Center. It’s the largest indoor farm show in North America—and admission is free.

Here’s what to watch for.

The Big Picture

NFMS spans 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space across multiple wings of the Kentucky Expo Center. The show runs Wednesday through Saturday, with doors opening at 9 AM daily. Unlike many trade shows that charge hefty admission fees, NFMS remains free to attend—a tradition that’s helped it become the go-to winter gathering for farmers, dealers, and equipment enthusiasts across the Midwest and beyond.

Kubota: Autonomous Tractors and M6 Series Updates

Booth: South Wing B, #7023

Kubota Tractor Corporation is bringing some notable technology to Louisville this year:

Autonomous M5 Vineyard Tractors — Through a partnership with agricultural robotics startup Agronomy, Kubota will showcase fully autonomous M5 narrow tractors designed for vineyard operations. The autonomous units are slated for field deployment in the first half of 2026, targeting specialty crop operations where labor shortages have hit hardest.

M6 Series Redesign Preview — While the full release isn’t expected until late 2026, Kubota is giving show attendees an early look at what’s coming to its 100-140 horsepower M6 line:

  • Redesigned cab switching from six-post to four-post configuration
  • Curved glass for improved visibility
  • Significantly quieter cab environment
  • LED lighting package including under-loader illumination
  • Rear lights integrated into cab pillars
  • New heated air-ride seat options

The M6 updates signal Kubota’s push upmarket in the mid-size utility tractor segment, where comfort and visibility features increasingly drive purchase decisions.

What Else to Watch

Precision Ag and Data Tools

Expect heavy emphasis on precision agriculture platforms, variable-rate application technology, and farm management software integration. The convergence of equipment data with agronomic decision-making continues to accelerate, and NFMS has become a key venue for these product demonstrations.

Seminars and Education

The show floor includes educational sessions throughout each day. Highlights include Beck’s “Root Reveal” research presentation on corn root architecture and nitrogen management (South Wing B) and numerous dealer and manufacturer product clinics.

Championship Tractor Pull

Running concurrently at Freedom Hall, the Championship Tractor Pull draws crowds for evening entertainment. Separate tickets are required, but it’s become a fixture of the NFMS experience for many attendees.

Practical Info

Dates: February 11–14, 2026 (Wednesday–Saturday)

Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Saturday closes at 5:00 PM)

Location: Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY

Admission: Free

Parking: Paid parking available at the venue

Why It Matters

NFMS hits at a critical time in the agricultural calendar—after harvest wrap-up, before spring planting prep kicks into high gear. It’s when buying decisions get made, dealer relationships get renewed, and operators get hands-on time with equipment they’ve been researching all winter.

For equipment manufacturers, it’s a chance to set the narrative heading into the selling season. For farmers and contractors, it’s 1.2 million square feet of comparison shopping under one roof.

If you’re in the equipment business and within driving distance of Louisville, it’s worth the trip.

The National Farm Machinery Show runs February 11–14, 2026 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. Admission is free. For more information, visit farmmachineryshow.org.