Parking
We know that getting on site safely and efficiently with vehicles is critically important for our exhibitors. The NEC has overall responsibility for traffic systems and parkings at the venue but we have produced some guidance for our exhibitors to help you access the show as quickly as possible.
Please be aware that everyone bringing vehicles onsite must adhere to the NEC’s Traffic Rules.
Navigation
To help you understand the various systems in place at the show please refer to the following definitions.
Build-Up
The period 13-19th April 2026 when the show is being built and stocked prior to opening.
Breakdown
The period of the show after 1600 on Friday 24th April and Monday 27th April when the show is being dismantled.
Car Parks
General car parking outside of the Inner area that is available for Exhibitors during all phases of the show tenancy. For MACH these are generally the ‘North’ car parks designated in green on the NEC Site Plan.
Inner Area
The controlled space around the halls which can be accessed to load/unload during the Build-up and Breakdown.
Lifting Park
Lorries arriving to offload equipment that has been assigned a lifting slot with ILS should report to the designated Lifting Park by following the onsite electronic signage – they will then be let down to the Inner Area when required. These vehicles are not required to book in through the Voyage Control system.
Pay-On-Foot
These are machines stationed within the NEC where exhibitors can validate their parking during the Build-Up and Breakdown periods of the show. This is done using a bar code or the Voyage Control delivery pass/QR Code
Premier Parking
Paid parking within the Inner Area that can be purchased for the Open Period of the show only.
Validation
Unlike in previous years, all Car Parks at the NEC are now digitally controlled. Exhibitors MUST validate their parking in order to exit the car park. This should be done in advance of arriving onsite and parking during Open Days or at the Pay-On-Foot machines during other times.
‘Voyage Control’
The NEC’s online pass system that controls exhibitor access to the Inner Area during the Build-Up. Drivers are issued with a ‘delivery pass’ or QR code that enables them to validate their parking in the main Car Parks after they have exited the inner area.
There are some big changes for those parking at the NEC in 2026 so please read this guidance carefully.
The NEC has made access to all its car parks both digital and ANPR enabled so simply put it is no longer possible for exhibitors to just park during Build-Up or use paper passes during the Open Days. You must ensure that your vehicle is in their system and that you parking is Validated before trying to exit.
Exhibitors will no longer be issued with paper passes for use on Open Days and will need to manage all vehicles online in advance of the exhibition in order to avoid penalty charges.
On the Sunday before the show all vehicle access to MACH is controlled by the NEC’s ‘Voyage Control’ system.
This is a pre-booking system that controls vehicles coming on site during the Build period of MACH this is to:
- To simplify your arrival process
- Remove queuing at a kiosk to pay your deposit
- Remove the need to send in a cheque to pay in advance
- Fast track access
- Remove the need to return to the lorry park after unloading
What Happens?
You will need to login to Voyage Control and create an account.
Once your account is verified you will be able to login and book parking for MACH. Please be aware that on days when access is restricted to a certain build type then you will need to book this day seperately and enter a password – passwords will be emailed to eligible exhibitors.
On the Sunday prior to the show opening the NEC deposit system will be in effect and vehicles overstaying their unloading time will lose their deposit.
You will need the following information to book a vehicle into the system:
- A payment card
- Stand Number
- Stand Name
- Driver Details
- Vehicle Registration
- The Date/Time of your desired deliver slot
If you do not know the driver’s details at time of booking then you can proceed without this but please note that the booking will not be complete until the information is entered.
Pre-booked vehicles arriving at the lorry park with your printed pass (or pass on a smart phone) will be able to use the “fast track” lane and avoid having to get out of your vehicle, queue up at a kiosk and pay your deposit fee. You will simply hand your pass to the Traffic Officer who will validate your entry and check you in. Subject to availability at the hall you will then be released to access the hall. Once you have unloaded there is no need to return to the lorry park. Your vehicle will be “checked out” of the inner area using our Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. You can simply drive off site or move your vehicle to one of our outer car parks for free parking or simply leave site.
The MTA is given a limited number of parking passes by the NEC, for MACH 2026 physical passes will no longer be available – you will be issued a number of unique codes to allocate to staff members, additional guidance on using and managing these codes will be available.
Codes will be allocated to exhibitors based on stand-size, as per below:
| Stand Size | No of Parking Codes Allocated |
| 6 – 12m² | 1 |
| 13 – 50m² | 2 |
| 51 – 100m² | 3 |
| 101 – 200m² | 4 |
| 201 – 300m² | 6 |
| 301m² and over | 10 |
You do not need to fill in any forms to receive your allocation of parking passes – they will automatically be issued to you ahead of the exhibition.
Stands over 50m² can request additional passes by applying in person at the Organisers Office during tenancy. The organisers will issue additional passes on a discretionary, case-by-case basis and reserve the right to decline to do so.
Re-stocking deliveries are permitted during the show but these must be booked through Voyage Control. No pallet trucks, trolleys or barrows are permitted during open hours so deliveries will need to be hand carried.
Please note that a new NEC parking system is going live in December 2026 – a user guide and advice will be issued after this point when we have seen it in operations and are in a better position to advise on any challenges.
It is important to be aware that different rules apply to exhibitor parking during Open Days then during the other periods of the show. This is because visitors are also arriving onsite and different systems are needed to manage the higher volume of traffic.
Exhibitor’s will need to register for parking using their unique promo codes – THIS MUST BE DONE BEFORE ENTERING THE CAR PARK OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED. Once your car is in the car park it will be logged in the system and your free of charge exhibitor code cannot be added afterwards so makes sure you do this in advance – the codes are activated 48 hours before the event so we strongly advise activating your code before travelling.
Exhibitors not covered by the allowance of promo codes issued to their company are strongly advised to book in advance to take advantage of the £5 discount for pre-booked parking that can be found on the NEC Website.