# Canadian National Exhibition

> The Canadian National Exhibition is a Toronto not-for-profit that turns Exhibition Place into an 18-day consumer marketplace, entertainment festival, agricultural showcase and end-of-summer ritual. Its real product is a dense bundle: admission unlocks concerts, exhibits, animals, shows and the air show, while rides, food, shopping, casino play and premium experiences add separate transactions. After pandemic cancellations wiped out more than C$70 million in revenue, the CNE returned by combining public recovery support, a reduced cost base, deep vendor participation and pent-up demand.

- **Founded:** 1879
- **Headquarters:** Toronto, Canada
- **Team size:** Approximately 250 employees in the supplied company data; public impact reporting says the CNE hires about 1,200 people from spring through production, while partners hire roughly 5,000 more during the fair.
- **Products:** Canadian National Exhibition, Vendor and exhibitor marketplace, Sponsorship and brand activations, Corporate and group ticketing, CNE Casino
- **Notable:** Founded in 1879 and renamed the Canadian National Exhibition in 1912., Recognized by the organization as Canada’s largest annual fair and one of the top five fairs in North America., Recorded 1.604 million visitors in 2023, its highest attendance in 25 years.

## Products & services

- **Canadian National Exhibition** — An 18-day annual fair combining entertainment, concerts, rides, games, food, shopping, exhibits, agriculture, kids’ programming and the Labour Day weekend air show.
- **Vendor and exhibitor marketplace** — Indoor and outdoor selling space connecting hundreds of food, retail and demonstration businesses with more than 1.4 million annual visitors.
- **Sponsorship and brand activations** — On-site sampling, product launches, consumer research, naming rights and multimedia promotional opportunities for corporate partners.
- **Corporate and group ticketing** — Discounted admission programs for corporate groups, associations and social clubs, including prepaid consignment options.
- **CNE Casino** — A seasonal casino at the Better Living Centre offering table games, poker, a licensed patio and entertainment under Ontario gaming oversight.
- **CNE Foundation programs** — Community programs spanning youth employment, accessibility, heritage preservation and charitable initiatives beyond the fair itself.

## Achievements

- Founded in 1879 and renamed the Canadian National Exhibition in 1912.
- Recognized by the organization as Canada’s largest annual fair and one of the top five fairs in North America.
- Recorded 1.604 million visitors in 2023, its highest attendance in 25 years.
- Attracted 1.49 million visitors in 2024 and 1.42 million in 2025.
- A 2025 assessment estimated annual economic impact of C$129 million in the Greater Toronto Area and more than C$164 million in Ontario.
- The 2024 operating picture included 800 vendors and exhibitors, 44 sponsors, 1,085 performers, 61 midway rides and 96 midway games.
- Rescued more than 25,000 pounds of surplus food with Second Harvest in 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — The 2026 CNE is scheduled for August 21 through September 7, with new programming including a Space Experience and Big Dip High Dive Show alongside returning farm, gaming, kids, skating, wrestling and air-show attractions.
- **2026** — The fair announced an NXNE music partnership and a 2026 Bandshell lineup.
- **2025-09** — The 146th season closed with 1.42 million visitors after variable weather; attendance remained slightly above the pre-pandemic average cited by organizers.
- **2025-09** — CNE food vendors and Second Harvest rescued more than 25,000 pounds of surplus food.
- **2025-06** — The annual report described a C$40.5 million recent operating budget, with 70% invested in jobs, plus 800 vendors and exhibitors and 44 sponsors.

## Links

- Website: https://www.theex.com/
- LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/canadian-national-exhibition
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/letsgototheex
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CNEToronto
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsgototheex/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEx
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@letsgototheex

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Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-24