SPIEL Essen expects over 200,000 gaming fans
From October 23 to 26, 2025, Essen will once again be the venue for four days of playing, shopping, and having fun together. At SPIEL Essen, board game fans from all over the world gather to celebrate their hobby. After the incredible rush of visitors last year, well over 200,000 people are expected to attend the world's largest fair for board games this year.
Exhibitors from all over Europe
Visitors to SPIEL will encounter around 890 exhibitors from 51 countries in the exhibition halls, including a large number from Germany and all over Europe, but also from distant nations like Japan, the USA, and New Zealand. Accommodating all these booths requires space, which is why the fair is using Hall 7 for the first time this year, bringing the total exhibition area to 77,500 square meters. This marks the third consecutive year that SPIEL Essen has announced a new area record.
New Stage Area and Open Event Program
A major new feature this year is a large stage area in Hall 4. For the first time, Merz Verlag is bringing the extensive side program of SPIEL Essen directly to visitors on a modern stage, free of charge and without registration. Anyone interested can simply come to the 1,000-square-meter area and watch the panels, lectures, discussion rounds, and live shows on stage.
Information about the stage can be found here: The new stage at SPIEL
Events and presentations
Various events will take place there every day of the fair. For example, Friday's Educators Day, where German and international speakers will present current research, topics, and ideas about games and education, will be held in the stage area this year. Other highlights include a cosplay show where all visitors in costume can show off their outfits, and a live stage show by the well-known American YouTube channel, The Dice Tower.
A complete program overview will be available in the coming days and weeks on the SPIEL Essen program page.
Source: https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/press?view=article&id=276&catid=12