The Chicago Auto Show is shifting gears for 2026 with a brand-new, high-energy addition to the show floor: Chi-Town Alley. This immersive exhibit celebrates the city’s vibrant car culture and invites attendees to experience and engage with Chicago’s diverse automotive communities. Designed to spotlight the pride and creativity of local enthusiasts, Chi-Town Alley will reimagine the show’s former marketplace as a dynamic area showcasing everything from performance cars and custom builds to street-inspired rides and exotics.
“Chi-Town Alley is all about celebrating the heartbeat of Chicago’s car culture,” said Jim OBrill, Chicago Auto Show senior director of marketing and strategy. “From classic restorations to cutting-edge customizations, this space gives local car enthusiasts a place to share their passion and creativity with the entire city. It is truly a reflection of the community that keeps our automotive scene thriving year-round.”
Chi-Town Alley will transform a section of the show floor into an energetic hub of automotive expression, featuring community-built vehicles, interactive displays and cultural touchpoints inspired by Chicago’s streets and neighborhoods. Debuting at the 2026 Chicago Auto Show, Chi-Town Alley is a fresh platform for the city’s homegrown car community. Partners who have already confirmed participation in Chi-Town Alley include Chi-Town Exotic Car Group, FullyDrivn (JDM style/import vehicles), Orale Chicago Car Club (LowRiders) and Northern Mustang Corral, among other custom shops and vendors. Drifter: A Film by Sung Kang will also be featured, showcasing two vehicles from the film and welcoming Sung Kang himself for a meet-and-greet. From sleek show cars to creative customizations, the space is designed to capture the individuality and energy that define Chicago’s car scene, bringing enthusiasts, creators and fans together in one exhilarating destination.
To kick off this exciting new feature, show organizers launched the Chi-Town Alley Showcase, a contest that invited car enthusiasts from across the Chicagoland area to share their stories for a chance to have their vehicles featured at the 2026 Chicago Auto Show. Car lovers eager to be part of the action were invited to submit a 60-second video highlighting their vehicle and explaining why it deserves to be featured in the Chi-Town Alley exhibit. The contest generated strong interest, receiving over 50 submissions. From those entries, six winners were selected, and their vehicles will be on display throughout the 2026 Chicago Auto Show.
“The Chi-Town Alley Showcase contest gives local enthusiasts a real opportunity to shine,” said OBrill. “We know Chicagoans take pride in their rides, and this contest lets the public decide who represents the best of our city’s car culture. It’s a fun, authentic way to bring that community spirit onto the show floor.”
The final winner will be chosen by attendee voting during the show, making it a true celebration of the community that defines Chicagoland’s car scene.
The 2026 Chicago Auto Show public event will take place Feb. 7-16 at McCormick Place. The Media Preview date is Feb. 6, and the First Look for Charity black-tie gala will be held the evening of Feb. 6. For more information, visit ChicagoAutoShow.com.
