Over 200,000 board game fans at the Spiel Essen

D – The Spiel Essen, the world’s largest trade fair for board and card games, breaks records again and impressively demonstrates how popular analogue games are. The mega event was staged at Essen Exhibition Centre from October 3-6, 2024. According to the organisers, not only the stand area spanning 68,500 m² spread over six halls was fully booked for the first time, the admission tickets were also sold out on all four days.

According to the official figures, 204,000 people from all over the globe visited the fair. It was possible to test over 1,500 new publications at the stands of the 923 exhibitors from 52 countries. The crowds of visitors, who in some cases queued for several hours at the entrance doors, didn’t dampen the euphoria and enthusiasm at all. Even if there was some hustling and bustling at stands with hyped games here and there, one could always find a corner, where there was a little more space to breathe. This was thanks to a new concept that aims to guarantee the safety and a pleasant trade show visit, as Carol Rapp, CEO of the organisers, Merz Verlag, explained: “We worked with a contingent of tickets for the first time this year. No more than just under 50,000 people were allowed on the grounds at one time.”

The mascot Meeps was integrated into the concept more strongly as a new aspect. The playful cat moved around the halls as a walking act to greet the visitors, displays invited guests to take part in a photo shoot and a Meeps cuddly toy could be purchased for the first time, together with other Meeps merch, including a trade show game, of course.

A colourful supporting programme comprising of lectures, competitions, a miniatures painting competition and all sorts of special campaigns by publishing companies rounded off the games pageant. Due to the successful event, Florian Hess, Managing Director of Merz Verlag and board member of Spielwarenmesse eG, is looking optimistically ahead to the future: “The path of the trade fair is heading in a fantastic direction and we have some great things planned to keep the Spiel topical and attractive for exhibitors and visitors from all over the world.”