Mercedes-Benz Classics & Coffee 2026 Returns With Expanded Format

Classics & Coffee 2026 returns to the Mercedes-Benz Museum with themed events, simulators and loyalty rewards. Explore details and plan your visit.

Classics & Coffee returns in 2026 as a growing meeting point for thousands of classic car enthusiasts, turning the Mercedes-Benz Museum into a regular destination rather than a one-off event.

Between April 12 and October 11, the museum hill in Stuttgart will host 26 Sunday gatherings, all open to the public and free of charge. Participation requires a vehicle at least 20 years old, yet the format is designed just as much for visitors without cars. The scale has already been proven: in 2025, nearly 11,500 vehicles and more than 28,000 guests attended over the season.

This expansion is reflected in the programme itself. The 2026 edition goes beyond informal meetings, introducing themed events, evening sessions with DJs, talks and direct interaction with industry figures. Among the guests is Bernd Mayländer, the official Formula 1 safety car driver since 2000, whose role places him at the centre of race safety in modern motorsport.

Practical aspects of classic car ownership are also part of the concept. Experts from Mercedes-Benz Classic provide on-site advice on restoration, servicing and genuine parts, with the option to book workshop appointments directly. This shifts the event from a display format to an active interface between the brand and its customers.

The calendar is structured around themed highlights tied to key models and heritage lines. These include the S-Class, formally introduced as a model designation in 1972, and the G-Class, produced since 1979. The programme also references motorsport history and iconic vehicles such as the 1954 300 SL Gullwing and the 190 E Evolution II, associated with DTM success.

An additional layer is provided by the Roarington simulator hub. This is part of a broader digital initiative to preserve automotive heritage, allowing visitors to experience classic Mercedes-Benz models on historic circuits in a virtual environment. Three high-end simulators are installed at the museum, featuring cars like the 300 SLR “722” and the 300 SL.

The loyalty programme, Classics & Coffee Members, continues into its second year. Participants collect digital stamps for each visit, unlocking rewards ranging from museum tickets to an annual pass and the opportunity to present their vehicle on a red carpet. In 2025, twenty participants reached this milestone, and the programme has been expanded for the new season.

The 2026 season is also framed by Mercedes-Benz’s 140-year anniversary, marking the invention of the automobile in 1886. The celebration extends globally through the “140 Years. 140 Places” initiative, where three S-Class saloons travel across six continents. The opening event of Classics & Coffee directly reflects this theme, connecting the local gathering with a wider brand narrative.

As a result, the format is evolving beyond a traditional car meet. It combines community interaction, technical expertise, digital experiences and brand heritage into a single platform, positioning itself as both a cultural event and a long-term engagement strategy around classic mobility.