SPIEL Essen opens October 22 with record space and a new tool for business meetings

SPIEL Essen, the world's largest public board game fair, opens at Messe Essen in Germany on Thursday, October 22, and runs until Sunday, October 25. For the first time the fair fills all eight halls of the venue, about 81,200 square meters, after Hall 8 was added this year. According to Spielwarenmesse, the organiser of the Nuremberg Toy Fair, this year's edition has 921 exhibitors from 53 countries and more than 1,500 new games, and up to 230,000 visitors are expected.

The fair keeps growing. Last year it drew about 220,000 visitors from more than 80 countries and 948 exhibitors from 50 countries, and every day sold out. This year Saturday is already sold out, and Thursday is close to it. Tickets are sold online only.

New this year for business visitors

The official SPIEL app now includes a business matchmaking tool. Publishers, designers, retailers, manufacturers and other professionals can create a profile, search for contacts, chat and book meetings in a calendar before and during the fair. Trade tickets cost 46 euros, allow entry from 9:30, half an hour before the public, and include access to the B2B Lounge in Hall 7.

The Key Dates Include:

• October 22 to 24: open 10:00 to 19:00.
• October 25: open 10:00 to 18:00.
• Before you arrive: exhibitor lists and hall plans are already in the app, so meetings can be booked now.

What it means for buyers

• Book meetings before you fly. The matchmaking tool makes it easier to meet manufacturers and service providers at quieter times instead of queuing at busy stands.
• Bring a real brief. Have your component list, quantities, target ship date and destination ready. Manufacturers can only give useful prices when they know exactly what they are quoting.
• Ask who actually makes it. Some companies at trade fairs make goods in their own factories, and others pass the work to partners. Both can work well, but ask directly so you know who controls quality.
• Handle and compare samples. Fairs are a good chance to feel miniatures, plush, cards and boxes side by side. Ask for sample quotes in writing so you can compare them like for like after the fair.
• Mind the calendar. Chinese New Year falls on February 6, 2027, and many factories close for two to four weeks around it. If you want goods in spring or summer 2027, aim to approve samples before the end of the year.

This article is general information and not purchasing or legal advice.

Top image: Hall 6 at SPIEL Essen 2024. Schrapers, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Source: Spielwarenmesse and SPIEL Essen