Visiting Essen Spiel
What is Essen Spiel all about?
The Internationale Spieltage SPIEL is the world's largest fair for board games.
It has been held each year in Essen, Germany since 1968 when it was called "Spielwarenmesse".
Nowadays, it's known as 'SPIEL'. Many people refer to it by its full name "Spieltage" (or "Spielwarenmesse").
While the name may sound like it's German for 'play,' Spiel is actually short for Spielesammlung, or collection of games.
The Spieltage SPIEL – a.k.a. the Internationale Spieltage SPIEL.
When is it?
The four-day show runs from Thursday to Sunday each October.
Where is it?
Essen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Located on the Ruhr River, it is the second-largest city of the Ruhr area and is the eighth-largest city in Germany.
The convention is held at the Messe Essen Exhibition Centre, which, traditionally has been the host site for many large events. It was built between 1909 and 1910 as a trade fair and exhibition venue. The hall can be divided into two areas:
- For conferences holding up to 14,000 people and
- For gaming conventions that hold up to 24,000 people.
Why Visit?
It's where new and established game makers can access prototype copies of the latest creations without travelling across Europe to try them out. If you're lucky enough to be there at the right moment, you might even get to play with some prototypes yourself!
Attendees are introduced to new games and meet publishers, designers, artists, and authors; they can also play with friends or make new acquaintances. The gaming industry sees it as a place to be seen, to interact with fans and publishers, who wish to expand their networks.
Remember the first time you played Catan? Or how awesome it was when you discovered The Resistance?
Well, if you do, you will want to know all about Spiel.
Spiel is an interaction point for fans and publishers. It's the venue where some of the most popular board games are released each year by some of the World's top publishers.
It’s also where you can playtest many upcoming titles before they are placed on general release. So, get an early viewing and decide if it's worth the investment (or simply try them out).
If you're looking for something specific, it may already be displayed at Spiel, as distributors tend to attain new titles early, enabling them to test them out amongst retailers before they're placed for sale on store shelves throughout Europe during the Christmas period each year!
Will UKGE be attending Essen Spiel?
UK Games Expo will be exhibiting at Essen Spiel 2025.
Next year's show takes place from 23rd - 26th October.
Rest assured, the tea urn and our brew kits will return!