Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the International Game Inventors' Fair

The Game Inventors Fair is aimed at designers of board games in the broader sense. Games like those typically carried by publishers in halls 10.0 and 10.1 of the Spielwarenmesse. In the author portrait the following game categories are distinguished: children's games, family games, games for experienced players, educational games.

Each author can present as many games as they wish. There is no limit, apart from the space available on the table. One table measures 45 x 150 cm. Additional tables (45 x 150 cm) can be booked.

In order to continue offering a moderate participation fee, the standard table size remains 45 x 150 cm. Anyone who needs a larger table surface can book additional tables. An extra table costs €15.

Anyone who is seeking a publisher to publish their game ideas.

Yes, there are a total of 140 places at the International Game Inventors Fair 2024, so that we can maintain a reasonable ratio between participants and visitors. Once the 140 places have been allocated, all further interested parties will be placed on a waiting list with a chance of receiving a replacement spot.

Registration is possible from June 2026. The registration deadline is 15 December 2026.

A completed author portrait for upload, your contact details to fill in the registration form, and the registration fee. Prices will be announced in early September. From 5 October we will provide a sample/template for the author portrait.

Your author portrait is an essential document for the game editorial teams’ preparation for the fair. Only with it can you ensure that publishers take notice of you and, if interested, arrange an appointment or visit you at your table. The author portrait briefly presents you and your prototypes to visitors at your table - for example when you are engaged in a conversation. In the contact details on the author portrait we explicitly ask whether you agree to prior publication online. It also helps us produce more substantial PR announcements to draw greater attention to the Game Inventors Fair.

You come to NCC Mitte, Level 1 and find your table using the hall plan of the International Game Inventors Fair. The Spielwarenmesse eG team will then hand you your name badge.

After payment of the participation fee, a table will be reserved for you in NCC Mitte, Level 1. You will receive your table number in advance and can locate it using the hall plan of the International Game Inventors Fair.

Many wear a name badge displaying the publisher’s logo and name.

The nearest café is in NCC Mitte, Level 0 - self‑catering is, of course, permitted. 

Please notify us by e-mail if you wish to cancel your participation. Please understand that, due to the organisational effort involved, a refund of the participation fee is not provided in the event of a cancellation. Exception: If Spielwarenmesse eG is forced to cancel the International Game Inventors Fair due to COVID‑19 hygiene regulations, you will receive a full refund of the participation fee.

For this event, the following are considered visitors: game editors, product managers, game agencies, game critics, specialist journalists and bloggers. Game designers can register as participants and present their game ideas at a table; retailers and buyers are not intended as a visitor group.

Here you will find information on Accommodation & Stay. The earlier you book, the cheaper it will be!

Upon receipt of the admission ticket, you can create a personal profile on the Spielwarenmesse Digital platform. For participants of the Game Inventors Fair, a media package for a Spielwarenmesse Digital company presentation is not included. Media packages can be purchased separately.