As was expected, today it was announced the massive annual German gaming convention International Spieltage (or SPIEL for short) has been cancelled for 2020, with new 2021 dates revealed for the show’s return. This certainly comes as no surprise as over 200,000 people attended last year’s event and the current COVID-19 pandemic makes that number of attendees in one location untenable. SPIEL 2021 will take place October 14th-17th in Essen, German.
From Spiel Messe:
Dear SPIELers,
With great regret we have to announce today that we have to postpone this year’s SPIEL, which was planned for 22nd to 25th of October 2020, to the date 14th to 17th of October 2021.
The health of our exhibitors, visitors, guests and employees is very important to us.
We have been observing the very dynamic national and international development regarding Covid-19 very closely over the last weeks and months and have explored all possibilities for the implementation of SPIEL ’20, also in coordination with the authorities. Unfortunately, this has led to the conclusion that due to force majeure, we will not be able to run SPIEL ’20 on the intended date, either factually or technically. After a long time of consideration we have come to the painful conclusion that SPIEL will have to be postponed by one year.
However, we are already looking ahead to SPIEL ’21 and can’t wait to welcome you next year again.
Until then, please stay safe and healthy.
Your SPIEL-Team