Spiel Essen 2025 Recap: A Fair That Keeps Surprising Us

Every October, Essen turns into something else entirely. For a few days, the halls of the Messe become the heart of the board game world. Thousands of people gather around tables, new releases pile up faster than anyone can count, and familiar faces reappear between the aisles like clockwork.

This year was our tenth consecutive visit to Spiel, a milestone that somehow made it feel both familiar and new. You’d think after all this time we’d know what to expect, but honestly, Spiel still finds ways to surprise us.

So here’s a look back at four days of games, people, and the beautiful, exhausting chaos that makes this fair what it is.

A Familiar Beginning

Spiel 2025 started with the usual press conference and novelty show on Wednesday. By now we know the rhythm, but it never really feels routine. The halls were still quiet, though you could already sense that mix of nerves and excitement in the air.

This year brought together 948 exhibitors from 50 countries, showing 1,719 new releases. For the first time, the Philippines was represented, a small but meaningful sign of how global the hobby has become. The fair also grew again, expanding to 77,500 m² by turning hall 7 into a full exhibition space. It gave family games more room to breathe and spread the expert games across several halls, which worked surprisingly well.

A Bigger Stage

One of the more noticeable changes this year was the new stage in hall 4. It replaced the tucked-away conference rooms from previous years and brought the SPIEL.talks right into the heart of the fair. Panels on careers in the board game industry, a cosplay catwalk, a live role-playing session, all happening within reach of the main crowd.

To be fair, it got noisy at times, but it also made the talks feel more connected to the event. The Golden Demon miniature painting competition returned too, drawing huge crowds and stunning work. Albert Moreto Font took home the Slayer Sword, and deservedly so.

Inside the Halls

When the doors opened on Thursday morning, the buzz hit immediately. That collective cheer as the crowd rushed in gets you every time.

This year felt larger and more polished, yet somehow calmer. The layout changes helped spread visitors across the halls, and even during peak hours you could still find space to pause, breathe, or grab a coffee. Spiel has a rhythm of its own. It’s intense, but in the best possible way.

If you’re curious about the games themselves, what stood out, what surprised us, and a few that didn’t quite land, you can find all that over on our Instagram. We’ve shared photos, first impressions, and some honest thoughts about this year’s new releases.

The Rhythm of the Days

Every morning started with the same mix of excitement and exhaustion. Let’s face it, Spiel doesn’t really let you rest. You’re constantly walking, talking, watching, and somehow trying to keep track of everything.

By the afternoon, the energy shifts. People slow down a little, conversations get longer, and the atmosphere softens. That’s often when the best moments happen, spontaneous chats, a shared table, someone explaining a rule with genuine passion.

And even when the halls close at seven, the fair doesn’t stop. The evenings bring booth gatherings, small parties, or simply quiet talks over a drink. It’s these in-between moments that remind you that Spiel isn’t just about games. It’s about the people behind them.

Looking Back

By Sunday morning the realisation hit, it was already the last day. Time moves differently at Spiel. The first day feels endless, and then suddenly you’re packing up.

We used the final hours to walk through the quieter halls, say a few goodbyes, and take in the atmosphere one last time. What still amazes us, even after ten years, is how much effort everyone keeps giving until the very end. You see it in the publishers, demo teams, and volunteers who somehow still smile through the fatigue.

The drive home takes about three hours, which is just long enough to reflect. Spiel 2025 was the biggest edition so far, with 220,000 visitors, four sold-out days, and 948 exhibitors, but it never felt overcrowded. The organisers kept attendance below full capacity, and honestly, that was the right call. It gave the event space to breathe, and people seemed happier for it.

Highlights Beyond the Games

Not everything was about new releases. Something that really stood out this year was the world’s largest Catan game, celebrating 30 years of the classic with an incredible 1,170 players gathered in the Grugahalle.

The new SPIEL.talks program in hall 4 also reminded us that Spiel is more than just tables and releases. Panels discussed things like accessibility in game design, how to turn a hobby into a job, and the growing educational role of board games. It’s a good sign that Spiel is opening up to broader conversations, though, to be fair, the sound bleed from nearby booths made some panels a bit tricky to follow.

And of course, the Deutscher Spiele Preis brought well-deserved attention to some excellent titles:

1️⃣ SETI: Auf der Suche nach außerirdischem Leben by Tomáš Holek
2️⃣ Endeavor: Die Tiefsee by Carl de Visser and Jarratt Gray
3️⃣ Bomb Busters by Hisashi Hayashi

The Best Children’s Game went to Die kleinen Alchemisten by Matúš Kotry.

The Heart of It All

Talking with publishers throughout the fair, the overall feeling was clear: relief, satisfaction, and genuine joy. Tables were busy, people were curious and engaged, and for once there were fewer complaints about logistics or overcrowding.

Spiel isn’t just where new games are revealed. It’s where designers see their ideas come to life in front of an audience for the first time. It’s where players get that spark, that moment of real connection. And yes, it’s still exhausting, loud, and overwhelming at times, but maybe that’s part of its charm.

A Growing Fair

Each year we see the same cycle repeat. Small publishers grow, new faces appear, and returning ones bring something unexpected. Spiel changes a little every time, yet it keeps the same heartbeat.

Spiel 2025 was bigger, smoother, and maybe a bit more polished, but it still had that familiar chaos, the warmth of shared discovery, and the joy that makes you forget how tired you are.

Now it’s time to decompress, sort through notes and photos, and catch up on sleep. But let’s be honest, it won’t take long before we’re counting the days again.

See you in Essen, October 22 to 25, 2026.

📝 All photos courtesy of SPIEL Essen / Lars Heidrich.