The world's largest public board game fair opens in just under 2 weeks. Brettspiel-News will have its own booth in Hall 2. Can't wait to see you there! 🎲
Poll
38 votes
Multiple choice: up to 5 answersends on 23.10. 12:35
ADonnerstag, 22.10.
BFreitag, 23.10.
CSamstag, 24.10.
DSonntag, 25.10.
ENein, das wird bei mir nichts
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No! I'm really bummed that the fair is in the autumn break this year. Last year it was okay because it was on the edge of the weekend, but this time it's right in the middle and I'm lounging by the pool. So I'll just watch it on stream.
Nah, it's almost always during the autumn break or over the holidays. I don’t know it any other way since I’ve been going there—after all, it’s been 9 years now... Next year it shouldn’t be entirely during the NRW school holidays, since Saturday is apparently the first day of the break.
Maybe the "SpielDoch!" in Dortmund is something for you. This year, 18,000 visitors and next year (in April) in two halls. What I personally love besides the family-friendly atmosphere is the huge gaming area with dozens of game tables and a ludothek….(Clips 2026 on YouTube)
Yeah, while the crowds at the Spiel don't really do it for me, I've been going to the SpielDoch for the last few years—way more relaxed trying stuff out at the Ludothek. Can't recommend it enough!
Yeah, it's crazy—if you want that old-school vibe, you should just come on Sunday. That's usually when it's still going. Saturday's already completely sold out.
I'm at Essen with our tried-and-tested gaming group for SPIEL. This'll be my premiere. Super excited but also a little nervous about the packed halls... Still, experiencing it all as a group is gonna be so cool!
Volle areas pop up every now and then (looking at you, Hall 3), but there are always spots to catch your breath too (outdoor areas, the SPIEL.talks section, the foyer, and so on). From the outside it seems worse than when you're actually there. Have a blast at your first SPIEL—it’s gonna be legendary! 🥳
Bin since weeks (rather months) in the preparation for it! I won't miss the highlight of the gaming year. So many exciting new releases and the great fair atmosphere always make me happy.
If anyone's still looking for an overview of great new releases in the expert and enthusiast section, they should check out my list:
https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/381320/essen-2026-great-euros-watchlist
War last year the first time I went there. This year won't happen because I'm spontaneously flying on vacation, but I could imagine a rhythm of every 2 years.
It also depends on what new releases there are.
I went there for the first time last year and would totally love to go again, even though it was super packed. But I had knee surgery and still can't walk that well. As soon as I'm good to go again, I'll head back. This year I'll just watch the videos 😀
Here’s the translation:
Here’s another heads-up for anyone who thinks the game is too crowded:
Maybe the "SpielDoch!" in Dortmund is for you. This year, 18,000 visitors and next year (in April) in two halls. What I personally love besides the family-friendly vibe is the huge gaming area with dozens of tables and a ludothek… (Clips 2026 on YouTube)
I'm also really excited to see how this year will turn out. Last year I went there for the first time with my daughter and we had a blast. This year my little son and my wife are coming along too. We'll be there on Saturday again. It might feel just as packed as, say, Gamescom, but I personally find it way more relaxed in terms of vibe.
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🇩🇪 Original in German
No! I'm really bummed that the fair is in the autumn break this year. Last year it was okay because it was on the edge of the weekend, but this time it's right in the middle and I'm lounging by the pool. So I'll just watch it on stream.
🇩🇪 Original in German
Which holidays are you on? Here in Thuringia, they end with the fair. Though I'm also at the pool 🏝️
🇩🇪 Original in German
Nah, it's almost always during the autumn break or over the holidays. I don’t know it any other way since I’ve been going there—after all, it’s been 9 years now... Next year it shouldn’t be entirely during the NRW school holidays, since Saturday is apparently the first day of the break.
🇩🇪 Original in German
That's way too much and too crowded for me. But I do enjoy watching the videos that others kindly film from the sofa.
🇩🇪 Original in German
This year, we're posting a video from the fair at our booth every day. So check out the Brettspiel-News.de YouTube channel! 😊
🇩🇪 Original in German
Maybe the "SpielDoch!" in Dortmund is something for you. This year, 18,000 visitors and next year (in April) in two halls. What I personally love besides the family-friendly atmosphere is the huge gaming area with dozens of game tables and a ludothek….(Clips 2026 on YouTube)
🇩🇪 Original in German
I miss the game. The way it was 10-15 years ago. Back then, it wasn’t so packed. I can’t handle all this squeezing through the halls anymore.
🇩🇪 Original in German
The first trade show after Corona was super pleasant. Limited number of people, nice wide aisles, room to breathe 😜
🇩🇪 Original in German
Yeah, it's crazy—if you want that old-school vibe, you should just come on Sunday. That's usually when it's still going. Saturday's already completely sold out.
🇩🇪 Original in German
Leh, no, but it's definitely on my bucket list for the next few years 🙂
🇩🇪 Original in German
Yeah, it's pretty cool there, even if it's packed. So many people from all kinds of nations just chilling and having fun together.
🇩🇪 Original in German
I'm at Essen with our tried-and-tested gaming group for SPIEL. This'll be my premiere. Super excited but also a little nervous about the packed halls... Still, experiencing it all as a group is gonna be so cool!
🇩🇪 Original in German
Volle areas pop up every now and then (looking at you, Hall 3), but there are always spots to catch your breath too (outdoor areas, the SPIEL.talks section, the foyer, and so on). From the outside it seems worse than when you're actually there. Have a blast at your first SPIEL—it’s gonna be legendary! 🥳
🇩🇪 Original in German
Bin since weeks (rather months) in the preparation for it! I won't miss the highlight of the gaming year. So many exciting new releases and the great fair atmosphere always make me happy. If anyone's still looking for an overview of great new releases in the expert and enthusiast section, they should check out my list: https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/381320/essen-2026-great-euros-watchlist
🇩🇪 Original in German
War last year the first time I went there. This year won't happen because I'm spontaneously flying on vacation, but I could imagine a rhythm of every 2 years. It also depends on what new releases there are.
🇩🇪 Original in German
I went there for the first time last year and would totally love to go again, even though it was super packed. But I had knee surgery and still can't walk that well. As soon as I'm good to go again, I'll head back. This year I'll just watch the videos 😀
🇩🇪 Original in German
Get well soon!
🇩🇪 Original in German
I'm excited to see games I wouldn't have come across otherwise and to try them out before buying.
🇩🇪 Original in German
Here’s the translation: Here’s another heads-up for anyone who thinks the game is too crowded: Maybe the "SpielDoch!" in Dortmund is for you. This year, 18,000 visitors and next year (in April) in two halls. What I personally love besides the family-friendly vibe is the huge gaming area with dozens of tables and a ludothek… (Clips 2026 on YouTube)
🇩🇪 Original in German
Die SpielDoch! I really love too. The vibe is somehow more relaxed and you can actually get to playing way easier 😊
🇩🇪 Original in German
I'm also really excited to see how this year will turn out. Last year I went there for the first time with my daughter and we had a blast. This year my little son and my wife are coming along too. We'll be there on Saturday again. It might feel just as packed as, say, Gamescom, but I personally find it way more relaxed in terms of vibe.