Since its inception in 2009, Overland Expo has grown exponentially, expanded to five events across the United States, each featuring hundreds of vendors, over 100 presenters, trainers, and VIPs, and nearly 500 session hours of education. With so much to do during the event, it can be both exhilarating and a bit overwhelming for the first-time attendee to an Overland Expo.
Here’s a brief introduction to what we have going on, along with some tips to get you going, whether you’re an Overland Expo veteran or a newcomer experiencing all the excitement for the first time.
Things to Do Before You Arrive
First things first. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, head over here and do that. With your tickets in hand, be sure to download the Overland Expo app from your phone’s app store (links below). The official app gives you access to the event map, event schedule, and an easy way to find the vendors or classes you are looking for. Once you have the app, be sure to select “Overland Expo West 2026” as the event and let it download the event-specific data.
In addition to the official Overland Expo app, we’ve teamed with onX Offroad to bring you a complete venue map with point-to-point navigation instructions via the onX Offroad app. Discounts for onX Offroad subscriptions will be available at the event.
Once you arrive, the overland world is your oyster. Here are the highlights to get you on your way:
Education
One of the highlights of Overland Expo is the quality (and quantity) of overland education offered all weekend. The programming spans 12 different education areas and nearly 200 session hours of classes. There is no shortage of opportunities to learn a new skill, get inspired by your fellow travelers, brush up on your fundamentals, or engage the experts at a roundtable. You can learn more about the weekend’s classes, including descriptions of all 12 areas, suggested classes, and the jam-packed schedule here.
Exhibitors
No doubt, the exhibitor area is one of the most popular parts of Overland Expo. This year, the West event will have more vendors than ever with hundreds of exhibitors showcasing thousands of products to support your vehicle-based adventuring. Just about anything overland-related you can imagine can be found for sale, but the most enjoyable thing may be just wandering around and discovering new and interesting kit. You’ll find some in-booth demos, giveaways, and demonstrations going on in the vendor area – a further reward for wandering about a bit. The complete list of vendors can be found here.
Relax at the Bivvys
With all the activity that the event brings, sometimes you just need to find a place to sit, rest for a bit, recharge your phone, fill your water bottle, and plan your next move. If that’s what you are looking for, the bivvys are the place for you. There will be three bivvys set up around the venue, sponsored by Hankook Tire, OPENROAD4wd, and Kumho Tire. Here you’ll find smaller, less formal classes all weekend long.
Daytime Events
Saturday
Woman Who Wander Networking Event Sponsored by MAXXIS Tires – 10:00 am to noon
Aimed at providing women-oriented education, networking, and training, The Women Who Wander program has grown to be one of the most exciting and popular parts of Overland Expo. Don’t miss this great event happening at the Oasis Bar & Food Court sponsored by Nexen Tire America. In addition to the Women Who Wander education opportunities offered throughout the event, there will be a Women Who Wander networking event and brunch sponsored by MAXXIS Tires. Come for some mimosas and a great lineup of speakers.
Breakfast with Firestone – 10:00 am to noon
Stop by the Firestone booth at Q56 to get your morning coffee and nosh with the Firestone reps and your fellow attendees, checking out the latest the company has to offer the adventure traveler.
Camp Subaru LIVE! – 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
The Subaru area at map location A8 will see the return of Camp Subaru LIVE! where you’ll find live music, snacks, and special programming you won’t want to miss. Plus, Saturday morning Camp Subaru LIVE! is hosting a puppy adoption event, so if you’re considering a new four-legged adventure pal, be sure to stop by.
Sunday
Dogs and Donuts Sponsored by Far Fetched Adventures– 10:00 am to noon
Join Dr. Stacey Thomas, a shelter veterinarian, search and rescue EMT, and longtime Overland Expo instructor, for a session aimed at getting you the knowledge and hands-on skills you need to deal with pet emergencies while adventuring. The session will cover the 10 Essentials you need to carry to keep your dog safe on the trail; how to understand common trail injurious, illnesses, and toxins, plus how to respond appropriately; and what you need in a dog first aid kit and when to use it.
Instruction will be complemented by hands-on breakout sessions where you can put your newly acquired first aid skills to work with supplied materials. In addition to great instruction, there will be first aid games, dog trivia, and giveaways to inject some fun into the otherwise serious subject. You can learn more about Dr. Thomas and Dogs and Donuts here.
Evening Festivities
While you will spend your days attending classes, visiting our amazing vendors, and dreaming about your next overland adventure, we’ve got plenty in store for you in the evening.
Thursday
Start off the weekend right at the Welcome Happy Hour sponsored by Barebones. The happy hour takes place at the Oasis Bar and Food Court sponsored by Nexen Tire America from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. There you can join us for drinks, sample what the food trucks have to offer, and get amped up for a fun weekend alongside your fellow overlanders.
Friday
Friday night, 5-7 pm, come back to the Oasis Bar & Food Course, sponsored by Nexen Tire of America, for Happy Hour sponsored by TOPS Knives. Mingle with your new-found overlanding friends and expand your circle before the rest of the evening activities ramp up.
Following the happy hour, there are several great opportunities vying for your attention. From 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the Oasis Bar & Food Court sponsored by Nexen Tire of America will host the Overland Expo Film Festival sponsored by Remote Vans. The start of the Overland Expo Film Festival season will get off to an exciting start with the much-anticipated premiere of XOVERLAND’s Milestones: Global Expedition Season Finale, Episode 10: To the Final Mile, along with a panel featuring the cast, as well as a brand-new episode from Richard and Ashley Giordano’s From Desk to Glory series.
For the adventure motorcycle enthusiasts in the crowd, come to the world-famous Moto Party and Dinner sponsored by Rider Justice at 7:00 pm. Taking place at the ADV Skills Area Sponsored by Quad Lock, experience a night of dinner, entertainment, great conversation, and an impressive set of raffle prizes. Tickets for the Moto Party can be purchased with your ticket to the event, or email [email protected] to add on a Moto Party and Dinner ticket to your current order.
Also starting at 7:00 pm is Toyota Game Night at booth A2. Join the folks at Toyota for an evening of fun and games alongside light appetizers, mocktails, and raffle prizes.
READ MORE: Moto Programming at Overland Expo West: Skills, Stories, and Inspiration
Saturday
Saturday night, start off at 5:00 pm with the Happy Hour sponsored by BRS OFFROAD NORTH AMERICA. Enjoy refreshments, live music, and a chance to get to know thousands of your fellow overlanders at the Oasis Bar & Food Court sponsored by Nexen Tire America from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
After Happy Hour winds down, stick around for the Overland Expo Foundation Raffle, which kicks off at 7:00 pm. The mountain of raffle prizes grows bigger and bigger every event, with some truly impressive gear that just might be going home with you. It’s no exaggeration that this is one of the most popular parts of the event. Raffle tickets go toward the Overland Expo Foundation’s work in the community. Purchase raffle tickets on the website and on site at the Overland Foundation booth.
You’ll also want to check out a very longstanding Overland Expo tradition, the AT Overland / Equipt / XOverland Party at map locations Q35, Q37, Q19, and Q20 (yes, it’s that big!). This is the original evening party going back to the early days of Overland Expo and will be bigger than ever. Come grab a beer and be a part of the tradition from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Ready to Join Us?
Now that you know what to expect and what can’t be missed, click the link below to make sure you join in on the fun in just a few short weeks at the Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, Arizona.
