The 2026 Sim Racing Expo in Frankfurt just wrapped up after three packed days in Germany. Even following along from home, it was easily one of the biggest weekends for new sim racing gear and game updates we have seen all year.
Over 70 companies packed into Hall 12 in Frankfurt to show off their newest stuff. From more affordable active pedals to the first public test drives of Assetto Corsa EVO's open-world map, here is a simple breakdown of the biggest stories from the weekend.
$1000 Active Pedals
Simagic and Simucube suddenly created an affordability for premium gear. Active pedals are now fighting for mid tier market space.
1. Active Pedals Reach Sub $1000 Range
Right before the doors opened in Frankfurt, Simagic launched its belt-driven P-Active pedal for $999USD, and Simucube fired right back with the ActivePedal Sport for around $1000USD before tax. Being able to switch from a stiff race car brake to a soft street car pedal in software without changing rubber springs by hand is getting closer to normal rig prices.
2. Assetto Corsa EVO Free Roam Hits the Floor
Kunos Simulazioni and 505 Games had huge crowds around their booth all weekend because fans finally got to drive Assetto Corsa EVO Free Roam in person.
Instead of being locked inside pit walls, drivers got to cruise out onto the real country roads and towns around the Nürburgring. Seeing actual gameplay on those laser-scanned backroads made the wait for the home release even tougher.
3. New Licensed Wheels & Console Direct Drive
Simagic also turned heads by revealing two official replica wheels: the Aston Martin Valkyrie wheel with a 5-inch touchscreen in the middle and the KTM X-Bow GT2 wheel. Over at the Moza Racing booth, console players got a look at new PlayStation 5 direct drive wheelbases and a wild MotoGP motorcycle handlebar controller.
4. Jorrel in Frankfurt
While we were following the news from back home, Sim Racing Nation driver Jorrel Julius made the trip out to Frankfurt to walk the show floor, meet up with other racers, and check out the setups in Hall 12. We will be catching up with Jorrel to hear what stood out to him most from his time at the show.
