SPIEL (Essen Game Fair) 2026

A fair for board games, card games, and roleplaying games, attracting hobbyists and industry professionals. Organized by Friedhelm Merz Verlag, it also features toy and collectible exhibitors.

SPIEL Essen 2026

SPIEL Essen runs October 22–25, 2026 on the fairgrounds of Messe Essen in Essen, Germany. The halls open at 10am every day, and close at 7pm Thursday through Saturday and at 6pm on Sunday.

What it is

SPIEL is a public fair for board games, card games and roleplaying games, held every October at Messe Essen since 1983. The organizer calls it "the world's largest public fair for board games." Publishers from Germany and abroad show and sell new titles, many for the first time. Explainers at the booths teach games so visitors can sit down and play, and authors sign their games.

The fair is run by Merz Verlag, the company of founder Friedhelm Merz, whose founding idea was that anyone can come in, test the games at the booths and buy them. The organizer reports that the 2025 fair drew 220,000 visitors from over 80 nations and 948 exhibitors from 50 countries.

Opening hours

• Thursday, October 22: 10am–7pm
• Friday, October 23: 10am–7pm
• Saturday, October 24: 10am–7pm
• Sunday, October 25: 10am–6pm

Tickets and business visitors

Tickets are sold only through the online ticket shop, with no box office on site. Each day has its own quota, so a day ticket is bought for a named day and cannot be changed to another; individual days can sell out before the fair, and the organizer recommends buying well ahead.

A ticket covers every hall and booth, and trying games at the booths is included. There are separate ticket types for children aged 4 to 12 and for families, and reduced tickets exist for pupils, students, severely disabled visitors and people in full cosplay.

A separate business ticket is for people working in the board game industry and needs personalized proof, such as a business card or employer letter. It gives entry from 9:30am through fast lanes at the East, South and West entrances, access to the B2B Lounge in Hall 7, and use of the fair's B2B matchmaking tool.

Program and getting there

The program includes SPIEL.TALKS on stage, an Educators Day in Hall 4 (open to anyone with an admission ticket; a certificate of attendance is an add-on), an Artist Alley, the Golden Demon miniature painting competition, a Warhammer laser tag game and the Essen spielt city partner program. The organizer recommends public transport: the U11 tram runs from Essen main station to the grounds in about five minutes.

Visitor parking is at lots P2 and P10 with shuttle buses, and you can't leave cars there overnight. To leave and come back on the same day you need a re-entry wristband from the exit.