The world of board games came together at SPIEL Essen 2026

Held in Essen, Germany, from 22 to 25 October 2026, SPIEL Essen is one of the world’s leading board game events. The fair brought together more than 900 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including game publishers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and board game enthusiasts.

Unlike many traditional toy fairs, SPIEL Essen is also a major consumer event, where visitors can try out new games and meet game designers. The fair has a strong focus on hobby board games, strategy games and family games, but also features lighter party games and children’s games. Players’ interest and feedback provide valuable insights into the commercial potential of new games.

For Toyrock, SPIEL Essen provides an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with international game publishers and identify new growth opportunities across the Nordic markets. The aim is to discover new games and concepts that complement Toyrock’s portfolio and meet the demands of Nordic retailers and consumers.

The continued growth of trading cards was clearly visible at the fair. The category is expanding in many different directions, with more concepts, formats and ways to collect and play.

The fair also opened up exciting opportunities for Toyrock’s 2027 portfolio. Stay tuned for what’s coming next!