SPIEL Essen Security Questioned After Exhibitors Report Thousands in Losses

4th of November 2026, 15:36 CET

Six reported thefts at SPIEL Essen 2026 have raised concerns about security outside public opening hours, with one exhibitor reporting around €14,000 worth of missing stock and equipment.

According to BoardGameWire, organiser Merz Verlag believes all six incidents happened during setup or dismantling. Access to the exhibition halls was restricted during those periods, and venue security was present.

Tossit reports hundreds of products missing

French games company Tossit reported one of the largest losses. Co-founder Gaëtan Ekszterowicz said the team left its stand late on Sunday, October 25, planning to return the next morning to finish packing.

When they came back, more than 500 products were missing, along with equipment and tools. The company estimated the total loss at €14,000. Even tools needed to dismantle the stand had reportedly been taken.

Other exhibitors described separate incidents. Tabletop accessories business The Rolling Inn said €4,000 in cash, representing its convention takings, disappeared during Sunday’s dismantling period.

Julian Hill of board game media outlet Boxed Meeples also reported a stolen bag during setup on October 21. He said it contained money, payment cards, recording equipment and interviews already recorded at the event.

Organiser defends security and disputes complaints

The losses have prompted criticism of both the security arrangements and the response to affected exhibitors.

Tossit alleged that staff dismissed its concerns and described a confrontation involving an attempted phone grab. Merz Verlag denied that its representatives laughed at the team or grabbed a phone. It said the disagreement involved attempts to film people who did not consent to being recorded.

The organiser told BoardGameWire that it takes theft reports seriously, had helped exhibitors contact police and was cooperating with investigations.

Merz Verlag also said exhibitors remain responsible for securing their belongings outside opening hours. Dedicated overnight guards were available to book at an additional cost.

No camera coverage at the affected stands

Merz Verlag confirmed that CCTV did not cover the stands where the thefts occurred.

In a separate response reported by Wargamer, venue operator Messe Essen pointed to privacy and data protection considerations. It also argued that footage cannot always distinguish theft from legitimate packing and transport when large numbers of people are moving goods.

That leaves a practical concern for exhibitors: restricted access and general venue security did not prevent the reported losses during periods when stands were being assembled or taken apart.

Security arrangements for 2027 remain under review

Merz Verlag said it was gathering information and evaluating the incidents, but had not announced changes for the next event.

The reports come after a record-breaking edition of SPIEL Essen, which recorded attendance of 230,000 and sold out all four days. For the affected businesses, however, strong visitor numbers were overshadowed by losses discovered before opening or during the final pack-down.

SPIEL Essen 2027 is scheduled for October 21–24.