EAG 2026 Breaks Records

EAG Expo 2026 closes as biggest-ever edition, setting the tone for the year ahead

The EAG Expo has closed its doors today at ExCeL London, with organisers confirming the 2026 edition as the largest and most ambitious in the show’s history.

This year marked the first EAG in the chair for Nick Harding, who brings more than 30 years’ experience of attending the show in its previous guises, first as ATEI and later as EAG, giving him a deep understanding of what operators want from a business exhibition.

Reflecting on his first year as Chairman, Harding paid tribute to his predecessor, Martin Burlin, crediting him with successfully rehabilitating the exhibition post-COVID and launching the co-located SIE Expo and London Casino and Gaming Show, both of which debuted 12 months ago.

“My first year in the EAG ‘hot seat’ has very much been about building on the great work already done,” said Harding. “I’ve attended this exhibition for more than three decades, so I know how important it is that EAG delivers genuine value for operators.”

Record-breaking numbers and international reach

The 2026 edition of EAG Expo welcomed 105 exhibitors, a record figure, occupying over 6,000sqm of net space, also the largest footprint in the event’s history. Exhibitors travelled from 11 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Jordan, the Netherlands, Poland, Taiwan, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Almost 30 percent of exhibitors were first-time participants, with 29 debutantes bringing what organisers described as the “X-Factor” to the show floor, adding fresh perspectives and new ideas to the out-of-home entertainment showcase.

“Visitors could explore the established amusements exhibition, the SIE Expo for competitive socialising, and the London Casino and Gaming Show for domestic and European casino products — all in one place,” Harding explained. “It’s a time-efficient, integrated platform to discover innovation, meet suppliers and access more business opportunities, setting the tone for the year ahead.”

Education and networking at the heart of EAG

In addition to the exhibition itself, EAG 2026 featured a free-to-attend seminar programme comprising 23 individual streams and 50 expert speakers, covering key issues including competitive socialising trends, arcade technology, social responsibility and compliance, licensing, challenges facing the UK pub sector, brand-building and customer engagement.

“The purpose of the educational streams is to add another dimension to the EAG experience,” Harding said. “All of the seminars were curated to deliver tangible take-outs, informed by experts in their respective fields.”

High-profile speakers included Australian entrepreneur Steve Wools, Simon Thomas of Hippodrome Casino, Mike Kill of the Night Time Industries Association, Jade Craig of Gamechangers, Matt Zarb-Cousin of Gamban and licensing consultant David Lucas.

The show also featured a busy programme of networking events, including the Bacta Awards and drinks reception, reinforcing EAG’s role as both a commercial and social focal point for the industry.

As EAG Expo 2026 draws to a close, organisers and exhibitors alike are already looking ahead, with this year’s record-breaking edition widely seen as setting a strong and confident tone for the out-of-home entertainment sector in the year ahead.

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12 January 2026

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