Toy Fair 2026: The Best Brick Highlights from Nuremberg
Toy Fair 2026 in Nuremberg is history – and we were there! From January 27 to 31, 2026, more than 2,300 exhibitors presented their new releases on more than 175,000 m² of exhibition space. Max and Kamill from reBricker fought their way through the trade fair halls for you and documented everything related to bricks.
From gigantic LEGO models to innovative startups to established alternative manufacturers – Toy Fair 2026 had a lot to offer. Here are our highlights!
The Spectacular Entrance: LEGO TIE Fighter with 100,000+ Pieces
Right at the entrance we were greeted by a monumental LEGO TIE Fighter. With over 100,000 bricks and a build time of 550 hours, this masterpiece is a real eye-catcher. We wouldn't have that much time, but the attention to detail is impressive!
KiddiCraft: Necromancers Meet Orcs
At KiddiCraft there was a true figure explosion. The complete third series with the Necromancers was on display – and we are smitten! The sets stay true to the proven concept: small, child-friendly sets with many combination possibilities.
A particular highlight: the speed challenge! Who can build the most curious figure? The result: an orc with a construction worker's helmet. We have to say – without hair he looks pretty silly!
The new sets include:
- Complete Necromancer series
- New Orc sets
- Fire station (one of the largest sets)
- Police station
KiddiCraft consciously positions itself differently from LEGO and focuses on affordable, play-friendly sets for children.
BRYX: Stadiums for True Fans
BRYX (not to be confused with Brixies) was still in the middle of setting up the booth, but presented their classic stadium sets and Berlin attractions. Unfortunately, we couldn't find out much more – they weren't ready for conversations yet.
AddPower: The German Startup with Motor Wheels
A real highlight was AddPower – an innovative German startup that has developed an ingenious solution for motorizing brick vehicles.
The special thing:
- Motors are built directly into the wheels
- Works with normal LEGO tires
- 3D-printed rims with integrated drive
- Compatible servo for steering
- Own remote control or any RC remote control usable
- Scale 1:8
The system is not yet available, but can already be pre-ordered. As a startup, we naturally like to support other startups – a really innovative solution!
Yamba: The Helix Track for Wooden Train Sets
Yamba presented brick adapters that are compatible with all common wooden track systems. The 5-piece and 2-piece set makes it possible to build helix tracks on which marbles or wooden figures can roll down.
A creative bridge between classic wooden toys and modern bricks!
Freakware: Less Bricks, More Electronics
At Freakware, the focus has unfortunately shifted. While in previous years significantly more brick sets were exhibited, electronic gadgets now dominate:
- Luminous Bricks (formerly Funhole) – LED lighting systems
- Mega programming cube – With sensors and motors for racing snails
- Various CaDA vehicle models – Beautiful car models
The car models were impressive, but overall there were fewer classic brick novelties than in previous years.
Cobi: B-2 Spirit Bomber & Military Sets
Cobi stays true to itself and once again presented an impressive selection of military sets. The absolute highlight: the B-2 Spirit Bomber – a model that's too military for Max, but technically fascinating.
Cobi's Technical Innovation: Prints Across Multiple Parts
What really stands out at Cobi: prints across multiple parts in different colors. The transitions between blue and gray are clean and precise – a quality you don't find with many other manufacturers.
More highlights:
- Bismarck in 1:300 scale
- Matching mini submarines
- Aircraft carrier with working elevators
- Various military vehicles and aircraft
- New logo sets (Cobi is also jumping on the trend)
Particularly impressive: the microscale models that show how small Cobi can work.
Pantasy: The "Secret Chamber"
At first glance, Pantasy only had Jujutsu Kaisen sets – no bricks? Far from it! Behind closed doors (literally!) the "Secret Chamber" was waiting with:
- Astrobot series
- Flower coffee sets
- More new releases not yet officially announced
Psst – if LEGO is reading this: you didn't get it from us!
Cogo: No Major News Yet
Cogo continued to present classic girls' and boys' sets, but no significant new releases compared to the previous year. To be honest, we were also looked at a bit strangely – they probably thought we were customs officers.
We were on site on Tuesday. On Wednesday, customs came... Let's see how many sets were left at the end!
Build Army: Detailed Minifigures Without Mold Parts
Build Army was a real surprise! While Cobi relies on special mold parts, Build Army works exclusively with brick-built constructions – and the result is impressive.
The Revolutionary Minifigure
The Build Army minifigure is something very special:
- Can sit
- Countless poses possible
- Scale 1:33 (slightly larger than classic minifigures)
- Significantly more detailed than Cobi figures
Military Sets with History
Build Army focuses on historical and modern military sets:
- World War II soldiers
- Modern Bundeswehr
- Crusaders and Renaissance
- Tanks like the M1A4 (Battlefield 3!)
- Microscale board game in development
The level of detail of the tanks is remarkable – all without additional mold parts!
A highlight: the printed baseplates from Open Bricks, which fit perfectly with the system.
Brixies: Steampunk, Booknooks & Fire Service
Brixies had one of the most beautiful trade fair stands with an impressive brick-built logo. The new releases are diverse:
Build-Your-Own Remote Controls
An ingenious idea: the remote control is built yourself and color-matched to the respective model. So every tractor has its own green remote control!
New Product Lines
Steampunk series:
- Airships with golden accents
- Detailed sail prints
- Hot air balloons with elaborate details
The golden accents are simply spectacular and set new standards!
Booknooks (Book Nooks):
- Enchanted towers
- Miniature trees in different variants
- Flower shop / flower lab
- Mountain landscapes
The attention to detail of these small dioramas is impressive – perfect for bookshelves!
Fire service series:
- Licensed fire service vehicles of various brands
- Complete fire station
- Various vehicle types
Space Series: New, but Not for Everyone
The new Space series is rather cartoony and childlike. Personally, not the highlight for us – too colorful, too playful. But tastes vary!
What stays: tractors, commercial vehicles and beautiful dioramas. Brixies stays true to its line!
CaDA: AMG in Red & Illuminated Gas Station
CaDA stayed true to the Japan trend, but there were also interesting new releases:
- AMG in Red – The well-known Technic highlight now in a new color
- Illuminated gas station with a small car wash
The AMG felt like it was on display at every other booth – everyone wants it! Rightly so, as it is considered one of the best Technic models on the market.
New flower sets: Looking rather lifeless (realistic?), but well crafted.
LEGO Press Conference: Smart Bricks, Pokémon & World Cup License
The highlight for us: the LEGO press conference! For the first time, we were there and experienced the major topics up close:
Smart Bricks in Detail
Smart Brick technology was the main topic. Two LEGO developers explained the system:
How does it work?
- NFC coil in the Smart Brick recognizes electronic parts
- No optical recognition (unlike Mario)
- Parts are equipped with electronics
- Do not wash!
Minifigures: The Smart minifigures have the "ugly Smart logo" on the back and the "wonderful trash can" on the side. Rather unattractive for collectors.
Five new compatible sets: LEGO presented five sets that are Smart Brick compatible – but do not contain a Smart Brick! You have to already own one from another set.
Pokémon Comes to LEGO!
Probably the most awaited license of all time was presented:
- Pikachu – €200 (not everyone was convinced by the design)
- Eevee – Better executed
- Starter trio set – €650 (!) – seems not big enough compared to the Death Star
More LEGO Highlights
- Death Star – €1,000 salami slice/pancake (Max is hungry)
- Enterprise D with minifigures (Obi-Wan is surely included, right?)
- Ninjago turns 15
- World Cup license and Formula 1
Revell: Giant Submarine in Bricks
Revell is increasingly betting on bricks! The highlight: a gigantic submarine – larger than all Cobi models!
Details:
- No stickers, but printed parts
- Gray pins instead of blue
- View into the interior possible
- Very detailed
The classic model kits are decreasing, bricks are increasing – an exciting development!
Lonester Fireworks / Bausteinreich
Our colleagues from Bausteinreich were represented with their Lonester Fireworks booth. We are unfortunately not allowed to reveal what's coming next – but in March 2026 there will be new sets!
Stay tuned!
Keeyplay: Aircraft Carrier with Microscale Aircraft
Keeyplay presented impressive aircraft carrier sets:
- Printed runways (unfortunately large gaps between panels)
- Elevators as a play feature (with a crank)
- Microscale aircraft (unfortunately not brick-built but mold parts)
The system is interesting, but the implementation could be better.
Brix'n: Custom Licensed Stadiums
Brix'n does something very special: they create licensed stadium sets to order:
- FC Barcelona stadium
- Young Boys (Switzerland)
- Different sizes and scales
- With players, houses or buses
Minimum order quantity: 1,000 pieces – interesting for companies or fan clubs!
Open Bricks: Brick City Designer & Revolutionary Train System
Open Bricks was one of the most innovative booths at the fair!
The Magic School of Animals
The "Magic School of Animals" license was finally on display. The sets are coming soon – very soon, very, very soon!
Brick City Designer: Mini-City Revolution
The new Brick City Designer System is inspired by SimCity, but even smaller than LEGO City!
The highlight: a magnetically driven train system integrated into the baseplate!
- Only 2 bricks high
- Magnets drive the train through the rail system
- Stopping and starting possible
- Develop your own rail system
Simon from Open Bricks guided us through the system – a real innovation that brings Mini-Wunderland into your own living room!
Now that's real innovation in the brick segment!
XQ: THE ABSOLUTE HIGHLIGHT of the Fair
Last but not least, the absolute highlight: XQ – a company we had never heard of before, but which completely blew us away!
Motorization at the Highest Level
Similar to AddPower, XQ motorizes brick vehicles – but on a completely different level:
- Complete crankshaft
- Differentials
- Proper motors
- Remote control
- Automatic turn signals
- Brake lights
- Reversing lights
- Fully customizable
This isn't just a motor in the wheel – this is a complete RC system!
License Power: Audi & Toyota
What really shocked us: XQ has the Audi Quattro license! The Audi Quattro that you can buy at Bluebrixx is from XQ – we had no idea!
More licenses:
- Toyota Supra – absolutely brilliantly designed
- Many details in the engine
- Beautiful workmanship
Why We Didn't Know XQ Before
We accidentally stumbled over a car at the fair (literally) and then got stuck at the booth. How can a company that works so high-quality and has Audi and Toyota licenses be so unknown?
That has to change!
Conclusion: Toy Fair 2026 – A Wild Ride!
Toy Fair 2026 was packed with innovations, new releases and surprises. Here are our key takeaways:
The Big Trends
- Motorization & RC systems – AddPower and XQ show where the journey is going
- Smart technology – LEGO is betting on interactive experiences with Smart Bricks
- Detailed prints – Cobi, Brixies and others are perfecting print quality
- New licenses – Pokémon, Audi, Toyota
- Innovation in baseplates – Open Bricks with magnetic train system
The Surprises
- XQ – Unknown, but unbelievably good
- Build Army – Detailed minifigures without mold parts
- Open Bricks train system – Real innovation
- AddPower – German startup power
What Was Missing
- Bluebrixx – The big German brick retailer was not represented
- Fewer sets at Freakware – Unfortunate lack of variety
Our Highlight
XQ impressed us the most. The combination of high-quality engineering, license power and attention to detail is unique.
Were you also at Toy Fair 2026? What was your highlight? Write it in the comments!
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