IAAPA Expo Europe 2026 has officially drawn to a close following a historic week at Excel London, setting new benchmarks for the attractions sector and highlighting the remarkable momentum driving the industry forward.
As the premier event for the leisure, amusement, and attractions industry, this year’s expo welcomed 16,530 verified attendees out of 18,719 total registered individuals. The gathering brought together 11,710 qualified buyers representing 8,956 buying companies hailing from 118 countries.
Record-Breaking Exhibition Space
The scale of the event matched the enthusiasm of its participants. The trade floor stretched across more than 22,800 square metres, marking the largest exhibition space in the history of IAAPA Expo Europe. More than 870 exhibitors seized the opportunity to showcase cutting-edge products, emerging technologies, innovative services, and immersive experiences. Notably, this record-breaking footprint reflects an impressive 50% growth since the convention was last held in London back in 2022.
Peter van der Schans, Executive Director and Vice President of IAAPA ESA, reflected on the milestone week:
“The growth we’ve seen since we were last in London four years ago speaks volumes about the strength of the attractions industry. You could feel the momentum across the show floor all week long. From collaborative innovations being unveiled to new information being shared, Expo Europe is ultimately about bringing our industry together, and London gave us an incredible stage to do just that, while also looking ahead to what’s next.”
Professionals from across the global leisure sector converged on the capital, with representatives spanning theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, family entertainment centres, zoos, aquariums, museums, resorts, and cultural institutions.
Education, Innovation, and Immersive EDUTours
Beyond the bustling exhibition halls, the comprehensive educational programme delivered more than 70 sessions led by 190 speakers. Attendees engaged with subject matter experts to tackle critical topics shaping the future of attractions, including the evolving guest experience, the integration of artificial intelligence, safety protocols, environmental sustainability, leadership, and operational excellence.
The learning experience extended far beyond the convention centre walls via exclusive EDUTours at several of the UK's leading leisure destinations. Participants enjoyed behind-the-scenes access to Chessington World of Adventures Resort and LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, alongside a special seasonal showcase titled A Merlin Entertainments Halloween, hosted at Thorpe Park.
Global Media Attention and Daily Highlights
Global media interest was exceptionally high, with more than 160 journalists and media professionals passing through the onsite Press Office. Outlets from the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and beyond chronicled the groundbreaking reveals and broader industry trends.
Theme Park Network was proud to serve as an official media partner for IAAPA Expo Europe 2026. For those wanting to catch up on all the announcements, interviews, and breaking news from the event, readers can explore our dedicated daily coverage through the round-ups for Day One, Day Two, and the Final Day.
Looking Ahead to Vienna 2027
As the curtain falls on London 2026, the attractions community is already looking ahead to the future. IAAPA Expo Europe 2027 is scheduled to take place in Vienna, Austria, from 20 to 24 September 2027.
