From November 6 to 8, 2026, Hungary’s capital hosts the region’s biggest carp fishing expo as PontyShow takes over the Hungexpo Budapest Congress and Exhibition Center. With close to 100 exhibitors, this Central European heavyweight is all about top Hungarian and international brands, huge deals on gear, live demos, and expert talks. If you’re into carp, rigs, rods, boilies, bait science, or simply the buzz of a hands-on anglers’ fair, block out the weekend.
Where to find it
PontyShow sets up at Hungexpo, at 10 Albertirsai Road (Albertirsai út 10) in Budapest’s 10th District, Kőbánya. The venue offers the floor space and infrastructure a show this size needs: big stands for marquee brands, roomy demo zones, and conference-ready stages for talks and Q&A sessions.
What’s happening
Think three days of fishing immersion. Exhibitors roll in with new-season carp tackle, from bivvies to bite alarms, reels to rods, lines, end tackle, and all the flavor-loaded bait you can carry. Expect show-only prices, bundle deals, and kit you’ll want to test on the nearest water as soon as you leave. The program mixes main-stage presentations with practical demonstrations—rig building, casting technique, bait prep, watercraft—delivered by seasoned Hungarian and international anglers. It’s an ideal chance to pick the brains of people who’ve put in the hours, and to get eyes and hands on the latest tech before it hits the banks in force.
Dates and practicals
– Dates: 2026.11.06 (Friday) – 2026.11.08 (Sunday)
– City: Budapest, Hungary
– District and address: 1101 Budapest, Kőbánya, Albertirsai út 10
Organizers reserve the right to adjust times and programming, so it’s worth checking for updates closer to the event.
Staying near the action
If you want to beat the morning queues and maximize your time on the floor, there are places to sleep nearby and across the city, from wallet-friendly pitches to four-star comfort.
One of Budapest’s most affordable campsites sits in the heart of the city, wrapped by a creek and shaded in green—a quiet, clean, year-round option that’s popular with budget travelers. It’s simple and functional, and it keeps costs low so you can put more into your tackle budget. Pitch availability and specifics vary by season, so book early for the show weekend.
For those after a high-rise reset, the four-star Expo Tower by Mellow Mood Hotels rises about 1,640 inches over Budapest and neighbors Hungexpo. The city views are best from the top-floor Exploré Sky Bar, a good end-of-day perch after a circuit of the stands. The hotel offers elegant, comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and smoke-free policies; free parking and complimentary Wi‑Fi keep things smooth. Fitness is covered with a gym stocked with modern machines, while the relaxation wing features Finnish and infrared saunas plus a steam cabin—perfect if you’ve been lugging catalogs and testing rods all day. Conference rooms serve business travelers, and the restaurant blends Hungarian staples with international picks, useful if your crew has mixed tastes.
Over toward Üllői Road (Üllői út) and the Ferihegy expressway, the Milky Way Hotel at Monori Center offers four-star ease with quick airport access. It’s practical for those flying in and out on tight schedules. The attached Milky Way restaurant specializes in Chinese cuisine—handy if you’re craving something beyond the show’s snack runs. Rooms come as twins or doubles with the option of extra beds, and there’s also a nine-bed dorm available for students and tourists—ideal if you’re rolling with a fishing gang and want to keep costs lean.
If you prefer an inn-style setup, a local guesthouse offers both en‑suite and washbasin rooms with straightforward, flexible pricing. The pitch is simple: tailor the offer to each guest’s budget and needs, and strike a fair deal that leaves both sides happy. It’s the kind of no-frills, good-value base that lets you rest up before another lap of the expo.
Refuel between sessions
Kőbánya and the wider area dish up easy eats, from Hungarian comfort to Italian classics and made-to-order café fare. If you love a quintessential Hungarian specialty you won’t track down anywhere else in the world, there’s a spot devoted to it—its spice blends, veggie stews, homestyle plates, and desserts are protected and kept under wraps, so the flavor profile is truly one of a kind. It’s a brag, sure, but also an invitation to try something you can only get here.
Kő Café, inside the Kőbánya Children and Youth Center, serves giant sweet and savory crêpes, lunch menus, and coffee specialties—perfect for a quick bite that actually fills you up. Over at the Árkád shopping center, Okay Italia serves straightforward, authentic Italian: pizzas, pastas, the comfort carbs you might want after hours on your feet. There’s also a friendly self-service restaurant with room for about 30 people inside and another 30 in the garden. They start at 6 a.m. with freshly made breakfasts and switch to 20–25 ready dishes and fresh grills from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., always including diet-friendly and vegetarian options. Another local kitchen skews Hungarian but keeps a few international detours on the menu, updating selections based on regulars’ requests—if a dish gets enough love, it lands on the card.
For a more intimate sit-down, Zila Restaurant in Kőbánya rotates a seasonal menu of Hungarian and international specialties with a sommelier-curated wine list matched to the food. It’s a solid end to a day of gear talk and demo watching, especially if you want to toast new kit with a glass that actually suits your plate.
Tickets and contacts
Online ticketing is available, and you’ll find standard channels—phone, email, website, plus Facebook and Instagram—linked from official listings. Note that in basic listings, links may not be active; use the information request button if needed. With show dates set for November 6–8, 2026, the countdown is on. Pack your wish list, clear your trunk, and get ready to stock up.
