Passion Explorer
Essen · Board Game & Tabletop Tourism
Known as the Board Game Mecca, Essen hosts SPIEL, the world's largest board game fair. The event attracts 200,000+ visitors, 1,200 exhibitors, and showcases over 1,500 new games each October. The purpose-built Messe Essen convention center features 12 halls and offers a perfect infrastructure rating of 10/10. Attendees can enjoy demo tables, publisher meetings, and world premieres. The city combines its rich Ruhr industrial heritage and the Zollverein Coal Mine with this vibrant gaming culture.
Destination Overview
Known as the Board Game Mecca, Essen hosts SPIEL, the world's largest board game fair. The event attracts 200,000+ visitors, 1,200 exhibitors, and showcases over 1,500 new games each October. The purpose-built Messe Essen convention center features 12 halls and offers a perfect infrastructure rating of 10/10. Attendees can enjoy demo tables, publisher meetings, and world premieres. The city combines its rich Ruhr industrial heritage and the Zollverein Coal Mine with this vibrant gaming culture.
Trip insights
Key planning notes tailored to this passion-forward getaway.
- Best season
- Autumn
- Difficulty
- 3
- Region
- Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia
Location
Explore the area and find nearby points of interest on the map.
Tours & Experiences
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GetYourGuide
Atacama Stargazing by Night
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Viator
Moon Valley Adventure
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