Moscow Dive Show 2026 – Preparation Updates

Home News Moscow Dive Show 2026 – Preparation Updates

28 Aug 2025

The summer break is over, and the countdown to the Main Waterman Exhibition has officially begun. Only 175 days left - the timer on diveshow.ru is ticking, keeping participants on track with preparations and reminding visitors not to miss out.



Every week, we’ll share the latest updates across our website, social media, and newsletters - from news about participants and exciting cultural and business programs to new products, discounts, and exclusive offers.

All news is now published only on VK and Telegram, so make sure to join the exhibition groups there. This change comes ahead of the September 1 law banning advertising on Facebook* and Instagram*. Don’t forget to subscribe to our email updates to stay informed.
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Where and When?

February 19–22, 2026, at Gostiny Dvor, one of the most beautiful and atmospheric exhibition venues, just steps from the Kremlin, and the site of the very first diving exhibition in 2005. A place that has inspired generations of water enthusiasts. The only downsides are a tight unloading schedule for exhibitors and no dedicated parking. Aside from that, the venue has only advantages.


What is the Exhibition About?

For first-time booth bookers or visitors, here’s what to expect. In short, under one roof you’ll find everything for underwater and surface water sports enthusiasts, as well as for anyone who simply loves being near the water.

Based on the 2025 visitor survey (we process 8,000+ questionnaires each year), the distribution of interests looks like this (many pursue more than one activity, so the total exceeds 100%):


The exposition layout reflects this: more than half the booths represent diving in some form - equipment, tourism, or training. Spearfishing and freediving share second place, followed by surface water activities - yachting, surfing, SUP, and rafting.


Visitor Structure

This information is important for future exhibitors, affecting both product choice and presentation. Most underwater activities attract mature, independent, financially stable adults. The ratio of men to women in diving, freediving, and yachting is roughly equal, with a slight male majority, while spearfishing remains predominantly male.

The oldest visitors are spearfishers (median age 45), and the youngest are board riders (kite, surf, SUP), usually under 40.

Beginners are younger than the average visitor, and women outnumber men among them. These 17% of newcomers represent significant growth potential, as they are likely to become the new water sports enthusiasts and divers.
Many visitors don’t stick to just one activity and like to explore related underwater and surface water sports. Two out of five divers also practice freediving, and one in four freedivers and divers take part in spearfishing. Even sailors and surfers are drawn to underwater pursuits: four out of five (79%) reported having additional underwater hobbies, such as diving, freediving, spearfishing, or underwater photography.

In 2025, the exhibition attracted 20,500 visitors over four days, of whom 70% were from Moscow, 16% from other regions and abroad, 9% from the Moscow suburbs, and 6% from Saint Petersburg.

Beyond recreational activities, the exhibition features the Diving Project, highlighting the more serious, professional side of diving, such as commercial and military applications.



Ticket Prices

Ticket prices will remain stable - 500 RUB for a standard ticket and 700 RUB for a family ticket. Purchasing in advance on the website is much cheaper - 350 RUB and 500 RUB, respectively. Sales open on November 15 at diveshow.ru.

Discounted group bookings are also available and can be paid for via bank transfer.

In 2026, professional visitors will continue to enjoy free admission. Personalized badges are available upon completing the online registration form for:
— Divers with instructor or divemaster qualifications,
— Freediving and spearfishing instructors,
— Divers certified at levels 4-7,
— Yacht skippers,
— Managers and owners of retail stores, dive clubs, and sailing or surfing schools.

In 2025, more than 1,500 professionals registered. Registration for 2026 opens on November 15 and closes on January 15.


Booth Pricing

You can choose any booth size from 4 to 100 sq.m. From 2026, the smallest booths (4 sq.m) will be available only in lines A, E, and F. In the central part of the hall, the minimum booth size is 6 sq.m.

The price for a furnished booth is 18,500 RUB per sq.m, including wall panels, lighting, furniture, and all taxes and fees. The Moscow Dive Show has no registration fees or hidden charges.



We strive to grow and diversify our exhibitor community. Special discounts are available for:
— Russian dive clubs and dive centers,
— Freediving and spearfishing schools,
— Sailing schools and GIMS (State Inspection for Small Vessels) courses,
— Manufacturers of custom or small-batch equipment and accessories,
— Organizers of children’s educational and recreational programs,
— Companies participating for the first time.

Manufacturers and sellers of large equipment, such as boats, yachts, camper vans, all-terrain vehicles, and similar, will be located in unfurnished areas (raw space) under special conditions (please send inquiries to sale@diveshow.ru).

Booths can be easily booked in one click using the interactive floor plan (available booths are highlighted in blue): https://www.diveshow.ru/shema.php


Equipment

The Moscow Dive Show has long earned its reputation as the leading platform for showcasing and selling water sports equipment. This is where new collections are announced, last year’s stock finds buyers, and presentations and business meetings take place.

In recent years, more exhibitors from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have joined, showcasing underwater equipment, electronics, underwater photography and video gear, as well as all kinds of inflatables and floating products. This is a great opportunity to establish direct supply to retail stores or select an OEM line for your own brand. Many booths feature not only presentations but also on-site retail sales.



Russian manufacturers are also expanding their range each year, presenting new products at the Moscow Dive Show. While in the past most offerings were simpler items such as wetsuits, bags, and accessories, high-tech gear is now increasingly featured, e.g. regulators, dive computers, underwater communication devices, robots and drones, underwater lights, and much more.

Particular attention should be given to premium lines that are rarely found in regular stores and make visiting the show worthwhile. We’re talking about elite neoprene wetsuits for freediving and spearfishing, carbon fiber fins and monofins, specialized weight belts and harness systems, wooden spearguns, and spearfishing accessories for trophy hunting.


Tourism

Most of our regular exhibitors representing foreign hotels, liveaboards, and dive centers have already confirmed their participation. The exhibition features almost all countries and regions that attract underwater and surface water tourists, but two destinations stand out in booth numbers: Egypt and the Maldives. These have consistently ranked among the top three most popular destinations for Moscow Dive Show visitors over the past several years. Based on more than 8,000 visitor surveys collected in February 2025, the overall country popularity ranking is as follows:



If your hotel, dive center, or liveaboard operates in any of the countries on this list, participation in the Moscow Dive Show is highly recommended; otherwise, your competitors are likely to take your piece of the pie.

Appearing in the top ten indicates that a destination is considered as comfortable in terms of value for money for accommodation, flight convenience and cost, and overall appeal for diving and water activities.

The automated electronic visa program makes traveling to Russia easy for residents of most countries. Visitors simply need to complete a special form on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at least four days before departure and, once approved, can head straight to the Moscow Dive Show.

In addition to buying equipment, visitors often book trips for the upcoming season at the Moscow Dive Show. The event is an ideal opportunity to compare offers from different exhibitors, get detailed information, meet managers and owners of hotels and boats in person, and sometimes even negotiate attractive discounts.



Domestic tourism is steadily increasing its share at the exhibition. Key regions include the Barents and White Seas, as well as the Russian Far East - Primorye, Sakhalin, Moneron, Kamchatka, and the Kuril Islands. These areas feature the most coastal locations, ships and boats, and organizers of unique, tailor-made trips. We are keeping our fingers crossed for the return of exhibitors from Crimea.

If all you want is a regular Black Sea resort, you can probably skip the show. But if you’re after a truly unique adventure, the Moscow Dive Show is the place to be. Think the Shantar Islands, wild bays and rivers of the Sea of Okhotsk, the Putorana Plateau, Novaya Zemlya, and more - programs that are worth exploring in detail at the show.


Cultural Program

From morning until late evening, the stage and conference hall are alive with a nonstop lineup of performances, film screenings, masterclasses, presentations, and prize draws. This festive atmosphere draws not only Moscow locals but also visitors from the most remote corners of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. About a third of attendees stay for more than one day (tickets are valid for all days!). The busiest day is Saturday, when the Heroes of the Deep show and the Gift Hour take place, giving everyone a chance to win something useful - from a diving mask to a trip to the Maldives. If you’ve done something outstanding or heroic, you can submit yourself for the Heroes of the Deep program (write to pr@diveshow.ru).



Underwater Photography Exhibition

The largest underwater photography exhibition in Russia is another major attraction for visitors. From macro shots and shipwrecks to large sea creatures and even pond inhabitants, from underwater erotic art to staged compositions, whether created by professionals or passionate hobbyists, all photographs are carefully curated for quality. By the way, if you fall in love with a particular piece, there’s a good chance you can take it home: almost all works are available for purchase - just request the authors’ contacts at the exhibition office.



Delicious and Wild

One of the most common questions in the days leading up to the show: "Will there be oysters? And what else will be on offer?” The answer: yes, oysters will be back, along with snails, sea urchins, caviar, fish, game, and other wild delicacies. The gourmet fair ensures no one leaves the exhibition hungry.



Our Team

Maria Gaydukova Booth Booking and Setup sale@diveshow.ru
Galina Serova PR Department: pr@diveshow.ru
Lara Lockier International Participants Coordination: lara@diveshow.ru
Dmitry Danilchenko Design Assistance (Booth Setup) danila1971@gmail.com
Olga Stankevich Accounting info@diveshow.ru
Sergey Kolesnichenko Website Support: it@diveshow.ru
Ahmed Gabr Ambassador and Representative in Egypt: ahmed.gabr@ahmedgabr.com
Vladimir Gudzev Underwater Photography Exhibition Curator: gudzev_foto@mail.ru
Georgy Zdanovsky If you don’t see the right contact above or have a grand idea, feel free to write directly to the project manager: georgy@diveshow.ru