Canadian National Exhibition

Name

Canadian National Exhibition

Legal name

Canadian National Exhibition Association

Website

https://theex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1879

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Annual Fair and Exhibition Services

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Community & Multi-Category Fairs (MPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lifestyle, Home & Garden Shows (MPAGAFAB), Outdoor, Sportsman & Recreation Shows (MPAGAFAM), Collectibles & Hobby Shows (MPAGAFAN)

Keywords

• Annual community fair
• Amusement midway rides
• Agricultural exhibitions
• Outdoor entertainment events
• Live concert performances

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from admission passes, ride all-day passes, and VIP experience add-ons. Advance sale tickets available at discounted rates, with standard pricing at gate.
2. Sponsorship: Presenting partners (Bell, Coca-Cola) and program partners provide financial support in exchange for brand visibility across the event grounds and marketing materials.
3. Vendor Fees: Food vendors, retail vendors, and entertainment acts pay for booth/exhibit space at the CNE. Applications accepted for various pavilions including Arts/Crafts, Home & Garden, International Pavilion, Shoppers Market, and Warehouse Outlets.
4. Corporate Sales: Bulk ticket purchases by corporations and organizations for employee outings or promotional purposes, with discounted group rates for 30+ tickets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Canadian National Exhibition is a not-for-profit operator of Canada's largest annual 18-day end-of-summer community fair held at Toronto's Exhibition Place, drawing over 1.4 million visitors. It sells daily admission passes, unlimited-ride passes, and VIP concert add-ons directly to consumers while also monetizing the event through 800+ vendor booth rentals across themed retail pavilions, food vendor concessions, and presenting/program sponsorships from partners such as Bell and Coca-Cola. Programming spans amusement rides, live concerts at the Bell SOUNDSTAGE, agricultural exhibits, family attractions, and competitions.

Product overview

The Canadian National Exhibition (The Ex) is an 18-day annual fair held at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Canada's largest community event attracting over 1.4 million visitors. The fair operates a platform-plus-modules business model offering a diverse portfolio of entertainment, agricultural, food, retail, and educational attractions. Core entertainment venues include the Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell concert venue and Coca-Cola Coliseum for shows. Major attractions encompass the Canadian International Air Show, SuperDogs performances, The Farm with ~100 animals, Ice Skating & Acrobatic Show, Kids' World, Gaming Garage with Innovation Garage for indie developers, Casino, and Midway with thrill rides. The fair features extensive food programming through the Food Building, Food Truck Frenzy, Bandshell BBQ Fest, and Featured Food items. Competitions include Rising Star (talent), Peewee Baseball Tournament, Garden Show, Cat Show, and Ambassador of the Fairs. Educational exhibits cover the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Unity Pole, and historical CNE Sign. Additional offerings include parades (Warriors' Day, Labour Day), walking tours (Exhibition City, Ghost Walks), virtual programs through CNE Connected, and shopping pavilions. Digital services include an interactive map and EXpress Train shuttle. Ticket products include Advance Sale Admission Pass ($25.11), Ride All Day Pass ($51.66), and Front Row VIP Experience Add-Ons for concerts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advance Sale Admission Pass A daily grounds admission pass providing entry to Exhibition Place and access to all shows and exhibits on any one day of the 2026 CNE; intended for individual consumers and families visiting the fair.
• Advance Sale Ride All Day Pass An upgraded daily pass combining grounds admission, access to all shows and exhibits, and unlimited midway rides on any one day; intended for families and thrill-ride visitors.
• Bandshell Front Row VIP Add-On A premium add-on ticket granting access to an exclusive VIP viewing area, private lounge, private bathrooms, VIP bar access, and a complimentary drink ticket at the Bell SOUNDSTAGE concerts; does not include gate entry which must be purchased separately.
• Group / Corporate Pre-Paid Ticket Consignment A bulk ticket program providing discounted CNE admission for organizations purchasing 30 or more tickets for a single fair day, intended for corporate outings and team events.
• Vendor Booth & Pavilion Space Rental Seasonal booth and exhibit space rentals across themed pavilions (Arts/Crafts & Hobbies, Home & Garden, International, Shoppers' Market, Vintage Market, Warehouse Outlets, Food Building, Outdoor Food Concessions) sold to vendors, artisans, and food operators for the 18-day CNE.
• Sponsorship & Program Partnership Packages Presenting and program sponsorship packages sold to consumer brands (e.g., Bell, Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited) providing on-ground brand visibility, venue naming rights (e.g., Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell), and inclusion in CNE marketing materials across the 18-day event.
• Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell Concert Series The CNE's flagship outdoor concert venue featuring major artist performances included with CNE admission, with paid VIP front-row upgrade available; presented in partnership with Bell.
• Canadian International Air Show An annual air show in its 77th year featuring Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 and F-16 demonstrations and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, included with CNE admission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.4+ million visitors annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• BellflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting partner for Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell concert series. Bell branding appears on main stage venue and marketing materials. All performances at the Bell SOUNDSTAGE are included with CNE admission.
• Coca-Cola Canada Bottling LimitedflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting partner providing beverage services and branding throughout the CNE grounds. Coke products available at concession areas and partner branding visible at events.
• NXNE (North By Northeast)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Landmark music partnership announced for 2026, combining two iconic Canadian entertainment staples. NXNE brings music festival programming expertise to enhance the CNE's concert offerings.
• Scouts CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWheelchair and scooter rental program operated in partnership with Scouts Canada. Scouts provide volunteer staff and equipment rental services at two locations on the grounds during the 18-day event.
• Second HarvestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood rescue partnership with Second Harvest to reduce waste and support communities facing food insecurity. In 2025, rescued 11 tonnes of surplus food through this partnership.
• CHUM Limited (Bell Media)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner providing radio station coverage including 102.1 The Edge, 104.5 CHUM FM, 98.1 CHFI, and Virgin Radio 99.9 for promotional support and artist interviews.
• Rogers Media/SteamscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner including Q 107 and City News radio stations providing promotional coverage and event marketing support.
• Corus EntertainmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner including Kiss 92.5, Global News Radio stations, and Country music stations for promotional coverage and listener giveaways.
• Zoomer Media GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner including Classical 96.3 FM, Zoomer Radio, and Jazz FM 91 for promotional coverage and community engagement.
• Toronto StarcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrint and digital media partner providing news coverage and promotional visibility for the CNE event.
• Indie 88minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent radio station media partner providing alternative music coverage and promotional support for the event.
• Chelsea Hotel TorontominorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial CNE hotel partner located in downtown Toronto, offering CNE package deals for visitors. Features 1590 guestrooms and exclusive CNE attraction discounts for guests.
• Equine GuelphminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for the CNE Farm's HorseCapades program, providing interactive exhibits on horse anatomy, farm safety, nutrition, and horse careers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eastern States Exposition (The Big E): Largest agricultural fair in the northeastern US, a 17-day multi-state fair with midway, livestock, food, and vendor pavilions. Closely comparable multi-week format and multi-state/multi-region draw to the CNE.
• State Fair of Texas: Major US state fair in Dallas with 24-day run, midway, livestock, auto show, concerts, and food competitions. Comparable as a multi-week, large-attendance annual exposition with similar revenue diversification across admissions, vendors, and sponsorships.
• Iowa State Fair: Top-ranked US state fair with livestock competitions, midway, food, and concerts, operated as a non-profit on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Comparable in not-for-profit governance, agricultural roots, and broad entertainment programming.
• Calgary Stampede: One of Canada's largest annual fairs/exhibitions with rodeo, concerts, midway, agricultural exhibits, and similar not-for-profit/society governance. Directly comparable in scale, Canadian market, and programming mix to the CNE.
• Minnesota State Fair: One of the largest state fairs in the US by attendance, with a 12-day run featuring livestock, midway, food, concerts, and vendor exhibits. Strong functional analogue in scale, programming mix, and 501(c)(3)-style non-profit governance.
• Royal Melbourne Show: Australia's pre-eminent annual agricultural show and exhibition run by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria with rides, livestock, food, and entertainment. Closest international peer by mix of agricultural programming, midway, and multi-venue entertainment.
• Pacific National Exhibition (PNE): Vancouver-based annual fair at Hastings Park with midway, concerts, agricultural exhibits, and Playland amusement rides. Closest geographic peer to CNE with comparable multi-week format and municipal venue relationship.
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Massive annual Houston event combining livestock show, rodeo, midway/carnival, and a concert series at NRG Stadium. Comparable scale, concert-forward programming, and non-profit / charitable structure (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund).
• Erie County Fair (Hamburg, NY): One of the largest county fairs in North America by attendance, operating 12 days with midway, livestock, and grandstand concerts. Comparable in private non-profit governance and integrated midway/entertainment model.

Others

• North American Midway Entertainment: The midway ride operator that runs the CNE's rides and games. Comparable as an enabling infrastructure provider for the CNE's midway experience and a partner rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/letsgototheex
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CNEToronto
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheEx
• Instagraminstagram.com/letsgototheex
• TikToktiktok.com/@letsgototheex

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Canadian National Exhibition