Frankfurt RheinMain has been designated as World Design Capital® 2026. This prestigious title, awarded every two years by the World Design Organization (WDO)®, recognizes cities that leverage design as a key driver of economic, social, cultural, and environmental development. Through a year-long program of projects and events, the World Design Capital® (WDC) initiative highlights best practices in sustainable, innovative, and inclusive design, improving quality of life for all.
World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 brings together individuals who are passionate about shaping the future, developing ideas for a world that is both livable and visionary. Since 2024, the region has been actively engaging communities through various formats, with even more opportunities for exchange and participation set to follow.
By 2025, Frankfurt RheinMain will present itself on the global stage as a thriving hub of creativity. Leading up to 2026, the region will participate in major international design festivals, exhibitions, and conferences. Through the global sharing of local ideas, the strengthening of international networks, and the showcasing of the region’s innovative spirit, World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 is building powerful momentum for the future.
Exciting projects will unfold across seven key thematic tracks:
→ Save Democratic Spaces – Protecting and creating spaces of possibility
→ Better Together – A society built on collaboration
→ With All Senses – The role of sensory perception in design
→ Moving Forward – From heritage to visionary futures
→ Design in Schools – Educating future generations through design
→ Design Meets Society – Expanding the discourse on design’s social role
→ Cooperations with Universities – Collaborations with the region’s vibrant academic landscape
As World Design Capital 2026, Frankfurt RheinMain is not only celebrating design but also shaping its role in creating a more inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking world.
