Sony skipping CES 2027: what it said and what it means
Sony skipping CES 2027 ends a streak reported to date back to 1967. What Sony said, what happened to Bravia and Afeela, and what it means for PlayStation.
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Sony won't exhibit at CES in January 2027, and the company confirmed it on September 28, 2026. Sony skipping CES 2027 matters because it had been part of the Las Vegas show for decades, and because the two products that kept it there lately, Bravia TVs and the Afeela electric car, are no longer fully Sony's to show.
Key takeaways
- Confirmed by Sony. In a statement quoted by Bloomberg and Engadget, Sony says it is putting more weight on entertainment, its intellectual property and technology for creators.
- A streak said to start in 1967. Reports say Sony had been at every CES since the first one in 1967, which would make 2027 its first absence. Sony's statement doesn't mention the streak.
- Its two CES showpieces are gone or going. The Afeela car project was cancelled in March 2026, and Bravia TVs move to a joint venture that TCL controls with 51%.
- Nothing was said about PlayStation. Sony's statement lists games as part of its entertainment focus, but it made no PlayStation announcement.
What Sony said about skipping CES 2027
Sony told Bloomberg that it will not take part in CES 2027, which runs January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas. As Engadget reports, the company said: "We continuously and strategically evaluate our approach to events and communications based on the needs and priorities of our diverse business." Sony added that it is placing more emphasis on entertainment (games, anime, films and music), on its intellectual property and on technology that supports creators.
Bloomberg's report ties the decision to the end of Sony's electric car venture with Honda. According to Gadget Review, Sony says it will keep its relationship with the Consumer Technology Association, the group that runs CES, even without a booth.
How long Sony's CES streak ran
Japan's Nikkei reported the news first, according to heise online, which says Sony was present at every CES from the first edition in 1967 through 2025. That Sony CES record comes from press reports, not from Sony's statement, so treat the exact year as reported rather than confirmed.
The exit also didn't happen all at once. Engadget and heise both note that Sony had no booth of its own at CES 2026; the Afeela car, shown by the Sony Honda Mobility joint venture, was the Sony-branded presence instead. January 2027 is the first show with no Sony company exhibiting at all. Sony isn't the only long-time name stepping back: heise reports that Panasonic won't have a booth in 2027 either.
Why it matters for Sony hardware
CES is a show for things you plug in, and Sony's biggest reasons to be there have shrunk this year.
- Afeela. Sony, Honda and Sony Honda Mobility discontinued the Afeela 1 and the planned second model in March 2026. In an April 21 announcement, the three companies said they would scale down Sony Honda Mobility and review its structure while they discuss how to keep working together.
- Bravia. On March 31, 2026, Sony and TCL signed definitive agreements to form BRAVIA Inc., with TCL holding 51% and Sony 49%. The new company takes over development, manufacturing, sales and support for Bravia TVs, projectors, professional displays and home audio, and is expected to start operating in April 2027.
Put together: after the TCL Bravia deal, the TV line that used to anchor Sony's booth will soon be run by a company TCL controls, and the car that replaced it is cancelled. That reading is ours; Sony's statement talks about priorities, not about either product.
What about PlayStation?
Sony said nothing about PlayStation beyond listing games among its entertainment priorities. Engadget points out that Sony still makes gaming hardware, including PlayStation-branded monitors, headphones and speakers, and notes that if a PlayStation 6 is announced next year, it won't be at CES. That is the outlet's observation, not a Sony plan: Sony hasn't announced a PlayStation 6 or a date for one. For a look at how PlayStation hardware demand looks right now, see our story on the PS5 Pro lottery in Japan.
What happens next
CES 2027 opens January 6 without Sony. BRAVIA Inc. is due to start operating in April 2027, and Sony Honda Mobility's future is still under review. More coverage of the show and the companies around it is in our tech section.
Bottom line
Sony skipping CES 2027 is confirmed by the company itself, which says the reason is a shift toward entertainment, IP and creator tools. Reports put its unbroken CES run back to 1967. The timing lines up with Sony handing control of Bravia to TCL and cancelling Afeela, though Sony didn't draw that link itself. PlayStation isn't part of the announcement, so anything about a PlayStation 6 reveal is speculation for now.
FAQ
Is Sony going to CES 2027?
No. Sony said it won't take part in CES 2027, which runs January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas. Heise reports that no Sony company will exhibit.
When did Sony first attend CES?
Press reports, including heise online's, say Sony has been at CES since the first show in 1967. Sony's own statement doesn't give a year.
Does TCL own Sony Bravia now?
Not yet. Sony and TCL agreed to form BRAVIA Inc., 51% owned by TCL and 49% by Sony, which is expected to start operating in April 2027.
Will Sony still make PlayStation hardware?
Nothing in the CES announcement changes PlayStation. Sony's statement lists games as a priority, and Sony still sells PlayStation consoles and accessories.