The world’s largest consumer board game fair will expand into a new hall with a record 200,000 visitors set to attend
More than 200,000 visitors are this year expected to attend Spiel Essen, the world’s leading trade fair for board games.
Around 890 exhibitors from 51 countries will present their new and classic products at the show between 23-26 October, prompting a major expansion into Hall 7 for the first time.
“The world’s largest B2C trade fair in the board game sector has outgrown the existing halls in recent years. That’s why we’ve added Hall 7 to our exhibition space this year,” explains Florian Hess, Managing Director of Spiel.
More than 200,000 visitors are this year expected to attend Spiel Essen, the world’s leading trade fair for board games
The growth means exhibition space will cover an impressive 77,500 sq-m, a new record for the third time in a row. Exhibitors are divided thematically across the seven exhibition halls and the Galeria. Smooth transitions between the areas allow visitors to discover a wide range of focal points. Visitors to Spiel can also look forward to another new feature in Hall 4: a stage area for live sessions.
“Our varied supporting programme – consisting of panels, lectures, discussion forums and live shows – enriches the trade fair experience,” says Carol Rapp, Managing Director of Spiel.
Of particular note is Educators Day on Friday, which offers exciting insights from German and international speakers into current research on games and teaching. The programme is complemented by the popular Cosplay Show and a live stage show by the American Youtube channel The Dice Tower.
Beyond the stage, other hobby highlights include the return of Games Workshop’s renowned Golden Demon painting competition, attracting numerous fans of the miniature scene. Another highlight is a world record attempt from Cosmos, the Catan – Connect, which invites 1,200 players to set a new record together, accompanied by commentary from Smudo, member of the German band Die Fantastischen Vier.
The diverse program is rounded off by the appointment once again of a games ambassador. In 2025, Mháire Stritter, presenter of Orkenspalter TV, cosplayer and role-player, will take on this role and, as the face of the fair, will guide the community through the event.
