--- title: Spiel 2025 description: The premier board game, card game, and roleplaying convention at the heart of gaming in Essen! A weekend of industry meet, greet, and play. image: https://wotangames.co.uk/hubfs/Events/Spiel/2025/20251024_133351.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/spiel-2025#main-content) ![The gateway to the world of gaming with Wotan games](https://wotangames.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Linear%20Logo%202.png?width=630&height=110&name=Linear%20Logo%202.png) - [Home](https://wotangames.co.uk/) - [Blog](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog) - [About Us](https://wotangames.co.uk/team-wotan) - [Shop](https://shop.wotangames.co.uk/) - [Games](https://wotangames.co.uk/#:~:text=A%20suite%20of%20games%20for%20you%20to%20try) - [Competition Time](https://wotangames.co.uk/competition-page) - [Contact Us](https://wotangames.co.uk/a-chance-to-ask-us-anything-you-want) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://wotangames.co.uk/) - [Blog](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog) - [About Us](https://wotangames.co.uk/team-wotan) - [Shop](https://shop.wotangames.co.uk/) - [Games](https://wotangames.co.uk/#:~:text=A%20suite%20of%20games%20for%20you%20to%20try) - [Competition Time](https://wotangames.co.uk/competition-page) - [Contact Us](https://wotangames.co.uk/a-chance-to-ask-us-anything-you-want) 2 Jan 2026, 15:57:20 # Spiel 2025 ![Picture of Laurence O'Brien](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/c5424f252f851c5971aa476c5a9c0cf0) [Laurence O'Brien](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/author/laurence-obrien) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/spiel-2025) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/spiel-2025) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/spiel-2025) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/spiel-2025) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/spiel-2025) Wotan Games finally returned to Spiel in Essen, not as an interested party, but the fact this was the first time at this event as a full time professional. ![Dawn as we Travel in](https://wotangames.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Events/Spiel/2025/20251022_070624.jpg?width=960&height=720&name=20251022_070624.jpg) Now I would like to immediately thank Carol and all the team that organise this exceptional event, not only for the sheer scale, but for the breadth of content as well. From before I could get in, this was going to be a very different Spiel.  ![Ready to Rock ](https://wotangames.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Events/Spiel/2025/20251022_153512.jpg?width=960&height=720&name=20251022_153512.jpg) We had been to Spiel before but had not returned since Covid, and we had changed careers, placing all the eggs into the board game basket. The weather was fitting for the time of year, but did not dampen spirits. Another convention brimming with laughter, engagement, and the kind of camaraderie that only massive halls full of board and TTRPG gamers and families can deliver. ![Yes this is a quiet area](https://wotangames.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Events/Spiel/2025/20251024_145705.jpg?width=960&height=720&name=20251024_145705.jpg) From meetings with key people in our journey, like Matt Leacock, Rory O’Connor, Frank Yeager, Roberto and Christoph from Ares Games and Roberto from Raven. A chance to meet with the teams from GAMA and AGR for the first time outside of the UK. Highlights? Liesbeth from AGR, of course, and the guidance of Will Niebling. The most significant change since our last time at Spiel is the live stage sessions and the bigger Trade Café! So much business went on in that Café, and much serendipity. ![Big Tony reacting the audience](https://wotangames.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Events/Spiel/2025/20251025_112718.jpg?width=960&height=720&name=20251025_112718.jpg) The amount of just being in the right place at the right time is amazing, so many new contacts from Big Potato Games to Catan, Fabryka Kart to BoardGameWire. So, should you come, with the number of people I hear at other conventions saying I have always wanted to go, just go. It does not have to be expensive to travel; you could take a coach from London Victoria. Admittedly, you may need to get there first. The accommodation can be as little as £50 a night, like mine, just a short walk away in the evening. Food is not expensive, the atmosphere is incredible, and Essen is very understanding. ![Mama Kusche](https://wotangames.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Events/Spiel/2025/20251026_200145.jpg?width=960&height=720&name=20251026_200145.jpg) Spiel 2026 is on my calendar, and I hope to see you there. We did not have a stand this year, but as always, if you missed the chance to snag one, fear not—they’re all waiting for you at [shop.wotangames.co.uk](https://shop.wotangames.co.uk/), alongside some games from our equally delightful industry pals. [Events Attended](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/topic/events-attended) ## Related posts [![](https://wotangames.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Events/Airecon/20250316_121539.jpg?height=200&name=20250316_121539.jpg)](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/airecon-2025-harrogate) [Insider](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/topic/insider) ## [Airecon 2025 Harrogate](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/airecon-2025-harrogate) ![Picture of Laurence O'Brien](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/c5424f252f851c5971aa476c5a9c0cf0) [Laurence O'Brien](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/author/laurence-obrien) 18 Jun 2025, 18:28:38 A tremendous time as always, that's how every answer to, How was Airecon 2025? Starts. [Read more](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/airecon-2025-harrogate) [![](https://wotangames.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Events/London%20Toyfair/2026/20260122_123358.jpg?height=200&name=20260122_123358.jpg)](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/london-toyfair-2026) [Insider](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/topic/insider) ## [The London Toyfair 2026](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/london-toyfair-2026) ![Picture of Laurence O'Brien](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/c5424f252f851c5971aa476c5a9c0cf0) [Laurence O'Brien](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/author/laurence-obrien) 6 Jun 2026, 22:31:15 A chance to head out as a team to the London Toy Fair this year has made a great difference. [Read more](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/london-toyfair-2026) [![](https://wotangames.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Events/Dragonmeet%20CTA%202026/20260418_134615.jpg?height=200&name=20260418_134615.jpg)](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/dragonmeet-call-to-adventure-2026) [Insider](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/topic/insider) ## [Dragonmeet Call to Adventure 2026](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/dragonmeet-call-to-adventure-2026) ![Picture of Laurence O'Brien](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/c5424f252f851c5971aa476c5a9c0cf0) [Laurence O'Brien](https://wotangames.co.uk/blog/author/laurence-obrien) 11 Jun 2026, 10:59:59 If you have been attending gaming conventions for a few decades, you will remember that there was a... 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