It’s that time of year again! SPIEL Messe 2024, the event I wait for annually, is back. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the novelty show on Wednesday this year—a bit of a letdown, but that’s life. Thanks to some insider tips, though, I learned that my home country received a spotlight during Press Day.
What’s really impressive is how fast tickets sold out this time around. Both Thursday and Friday are already booked solid (as of writing), and the full-event passes? Those vanished ages ago. Brace yourselves—the halls are going to be packed. I think it’s because of the long weekend. Some of those tickets have been entering the black market, as far as the rumor goes.
This year also features the new mascot, Meeps, roaming the halls, but as a dog person, I’m not really paying attention to that. Sorry, feline fans.
In other news, Mischwald clinched the Deutscher Spiele Preis 2024. I haven’t had the chance to try it yet, but maybe this is the year I track down a copy. For the younger crowd, Die Magischen Schlüssel won the segment for Bestes Kinderspiel 2024.
Spiel Messe 2024 in numbers
There will be 923 exhibitors coming this year. It’s a slight dip from last year’s 935, but still, a solid number. New exhibitors are hailing from Indonesia, Brazil, and Malaysia—they are parts of 52 represented nations. They brought 1,562 new releases, showcasing across 68,500 square meters of area.
The 9.5% increase in floor space is perhaps necessary. The annual trend is spiking high for the number of attendance. And it’s also true for 2024. They are expecting a new attendance record, from 193 thousands in 2023 to potentially reaching 200 thousands visitors this year.
ENJOYING THE EVENT
With such a large crowd expected this year, long lines at every hot game are inevitable. My advice? Prioritize what you really want to try first. The rest can wait—there’s always time later.
And don’t forget the basics. Hydrate! Last year, I found myself raising my voice more than I’d expected. The uproar will dampen your sound. Bring enough water to keep yourself going because you’ll need it.
Lastly, downloading the app is a lifesaver for navigating the massive floor space. With the size of this event, it’s easy to get lost if you’re not prepared.
See you there!
I am a full-time food technologist during weekdays. However, when the calendar hits weekends, I transform into an avid board gamer. I am a hardcore Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) LCG player from Fantasy Flight Games (FFG). Current hobby: buying board games. My shelf of shame’s list is getting longer, thanks to you, Kickstarter.
