How 2026 went
- 3,500+ attendees watched live
- 330,000+ content views
- No.1 attraction at SMW 2026
- 5 branded robots
2026 was the first outing for the format at Smart Manufacturing Week. Five brands backed a machine, the arena held a standing crowd through both days, and the coverage that followed travelled further than any other feature at the show. Visitors came from right across UK industry, with engineering and maintenance teams from automotive, aerospace, energy, food production and medical manufacturers all stopping at the rail.
Thinking of backing a machine?
Ten brands will compete under their own colours in 2027. Sponsorship runs through Accu, whose engineers build the machine with you, from the choice of weapon through to the livery, while your own people work the pit bay alongside it during the show.
Places are allocated in build order, so the earlier a brand commits the more influence it has over the design.
What happens on the floor
FightFest brings together the excitement of Robot Wars with the engineering precision and competitive intensity of Formula 1.
Each machine is a featherweight, up to 13.6kg, carrying weapons that spin to 6,000RPM. Bouts last three minutes and are settled by knockout or on the judges' call, with two fights an hour, every hour, through both days of the show. Live commentary runs across the arena screens throughout.
Engineering under pressure, at the heart of Maintec
For 2027 FightFest sits inside Maintec, where maintenance, reliability and engineering under pressure come to life.
There is no backstage area. Between bouts the repair crews work in an open workshop rather than behind a screen, so visitors can watch machines stripped down and put back together against the clock. For anyone whose day job is keeping equipment running, it is the closest thing on the floor to a live case study.
Where to find FightFest
Maintec, Hall 5, NEC Birmingham.
Wednesday 9 June 2027, 09:30 to 17:00. VIP entry from 09:00.
Thursday 10 June 2027, 09:30 to 16:00. VIP entry from 09:00.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)