News · Board games
SPIEL Essen 2026: 230,000 visitors, every hall in use, no move planned
SPIEL Essen 2026 reports new records: 230,000 visitors, 997 exhibitors, 2,012 new releases and all eight halls in use for the first time. No move is planned.
The world’s largest consumer fair for board games has grown again. According to the organiser Merz Verlag, 230,000 people came to SPIEL in Essen from 22 to 25 October 2026, 10,000 more than at the previous record in 2025 with 220,000. All four days were sold out.
The figures
- Visitors: 230,000 (2025: 220,000)
- Exhibitors: 997 from 53 countries
- New releases: 2,012
- Floor space: 81,200 square metres in eight halls
The increase was mainly made possible by Hall 8. It was used as exhibition and play space for the first time this year, which means the entire Messe Essen site was in use. According to the organiser, there is a cap on visitors per day, and the extra hall allowed it to be raised slightly. Even so, many interested exhibitors were on a waiting list for stand space.
No move
There is no more room to grow in Essen. Carol Rapp, managing director of Merz Verlag, says: “We are aware that we are using every last bit of Messe Essen.” She directly rejects rumours of a change of venue: “A move is not planned.” Instead, SPIEL is to be developed further in Essen, for example with the “Essen spielt!” project launched this year, which holds events outside the exhibition halls.
New this year
Warhammer 40k laser tag made its debut, played twelve against twelve. The TCG Awards for trading card games were also presented at SPIEL for the first time. Games Workshop’s Golden Demon painting competition returned to Essen, with well over 1,000 miniatures entered in 14 categories according to the organiser.
Next date
The next SPIEL Essen takes place from 21 to 24 October 2027.
Update 3 November 2026: six thefts during setup and dismantling
According to BoardGameWire, six thefts were reported during setup and dismantling at SPIEL. Publisher Tossit in hall 6 was hit hardest: goods, equipment and tools worth around €14,000 disappeared overnight. The Rolling Inn had €4,000 in cash stolen during dismantling. Organiser Merz Verlag has informed the police. There was no CCTV at the affected stands, and according to Merz exhibitors are responsible for protecting their own goods. The organiser is still evaluating changes for 2027.
Update 6 November 2026: police confirm further cases
According to Brettspiel-News, citing the German broadcaster WDR, Essen police count five thefts from exhibitors during or after the fair, while the organiser Merz Verlag speaks of six. Two computers and a laptop worth around €2,500 disappeared from a storage room shared by two exhibitors. Messe Essen rejects cameras for data protection reasons. The organiser is still considering whether there will be new rules for 2027.