Canadian International AutoShow - CIAS 2027
Event Date
February 12–21, 2027
Location
Toronto, Canada
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS) is the country's largest automotive show, held annually each February at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto. Presented by the Toronto Star, it brings together the latest production vehicles, concept cars, exotics, classics and electric vehicles from major automakers under one roof, alongside interactive features and test drives. Billed as "Canada's total automotive experience," the AutoShow spans a show floor of more than 650,000 square feet.
The show attracts a broad public audience — car enthusiasts, families, and prospective buyers — as well as automotive media and industry professionals. Each manufacturer exhibit is staffed to provide vehicle details and pricing, and while some vehicles can be purchased on site, most sales staff direct visitors to the appropriate dealership after the show.
Beyond static displays, the AutoShow is worth attending for its hands-on programming and feature exhibits. The show offers indoor and outdoor test drive programs that let attendees experience a wide range of vehicles from exhibiting brands, with on-site registration for participants aged 21 and over. Recent editions have added curated collections of classics and exotics and immersive, non-traditional brand experiences, making it a marquee winter destination for anyone interested in cars.
Show Highlights
Signature features and attractions from recent editions include:
- Feature exhibits and marquee vehicles — recent shows have included the North American auto show debut of the McLaren W1, a life-size LEGO 1950s Cadillac, and the Aston Martin Valhalla. The 2026 AutoShow, themed "Driven By Choice," showcased everything from the McLaren W1 debut to a life-size LEGO 1950s Cadillac and the latest vehicles from leading brands.
- Test Drives — indoor and outdoor test drive programs let visitors experience vehicles from exhibiting brands (must be 21+, on-site registration only).
- Auto Exotica — a curated selection of classics and exotics presented on the 100 Level of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
- Immersive brand experiences — recent examples include Audi's "Audi Haus" and BMW's transformation of the MTCC's 600 Level into "LEVEL ///M."
- Special attractions — recent editions have featured the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony and displays from the Canadian Automotive Museum.
Attendance
The 2026 Canadian International AutoShow set an attendance record with nearly 375,000 visitors. The organizers also note that recent editions have repeatedly broken all-time attendance records, with the 2024 show setting a record that was surpassed again in subsequent years. No formal demographic breakdown is published on the official website.
Registration
General admission is for the public; all tickets are digital, and the organizers recommend buying in advance online. Tickets go on sale on the official website (with a limited-time discounted Black Friday price around late November ahead of the show), and all tickets are provided digitally.
Approximate 2026 online pricing (for reference; 2027 pricing to be confirmed):
- Adult: $28.00
- Youth (ages 12–16): $18.00
- Child (ages 7–11): $8.00
- Child (ages 6 and under): Free
- Senior (65+): $19.00
- Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children 7–11): $60.00
- 2-Day Pass: $43.00
The show also offers a GO Transit + AutoShow combo ticket that includes a round-trip GO Transit fare to and from Union Station from any GO Station in Ontario on the selected day of admission. A student rate of $13.00 is available for school groups, with one free chaperone ticket for every twenty student tickets, usable only on select weekdays. Groups of 20 or more can receive a discounted rate by contacting the show. Note: the only authorized channels for tickets are the official AutoShow.ca website and its partnered ticketing platform, Unity.
History
The show began in 1974 as the "Toronto Auto Show," held at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, welcoming 85,000 visitors to a 100,000-square-foot show floor. It was established by the Toronto Automotive Dealers Association (TADA), today known as the Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario.
After 12 years at the International Centre, the AutoShow moved in 1986 to the newly built Metro Toronto Convention Centre, which it has called home ever since. In 1991 it expanded into the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre), growing floor space to more than 800,000 square feet, and used that venue through 1998 and again between 2001 and 2008.
The 2020 edition was one of the last major global events before the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the cancellation of the 2021 and 2022 shows. The show reopened in February 2023 to celebrate its 50th edition, marking the first time Camp Jeep ran in Canada and introducing an EV Test Track on the show floor. Subsequent editions in 2024, 2025 and 2026 set successive attendance records.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2027 Canadian International AutoShow?
The Canadian International AutoShow runs February 12–21, 2027 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto, Ontario. The show uses both the North Building (255 Front St West) and the South Building (222 Bremner Blvd).
How do I buy tickets and how much do they cost?
All tickets are digital and the organizers recommend buying in advance online through the official AutoShow.ca website or its partnered platform, Unity. At the 2026 show, online adult admission was $28, with discounted rates for youth, children, seniors, families and multi-day passes; 2027 pricing will be confirmed closer to the show.
How busy does the show get and when is the best time to visit?
The AutoShow is busiest between 1:00 and 4:00 PM, with peak crowds on Saturday, Sunday and Family Day Monday afternoons. Visiting on weekday mornings or evenings, or using discounted ticket options, makes for a more free-flowing experience.
How do I get to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre?
The venue connects directly to Union Station, so it is easily reached by subway, GO Transit, UP Express and VIA Rail, with TTC buses and streetcars nearby. Paid parking is available on site and at nearby Green P lots, and a GO Transit + AutoShow combo ticket bundles round-trip transit with admission.
Can I test drive vehicles and sit in the cars?
Yes. The AutoShow offers indoor and outdoor test drive programs featuring vehicles from exhibiting brands; participants must be 21 or older and register on site. Most vehicles on the floor are open to sit in, though access can vary by manufacturer.
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