The show floor at IAAPA Expo Europe 2026 opens today, 22 September, at ExCeL London and runs through 24 September. The education programme takes place from 21 to 25 September. The current official event page lists more than 870 exhibitors.[1]
IAAPA Expo Europe brings together ride manufacturers, FEC and water park suppliers, designers, digital technology companies, ticketing providers, theming specialists and operational service companies. For developers and integrators, the value lies in comparing not only new products, but also delivery terms, certification, service support and each supplier’s ability to work in a specific market.
What to watch in London
The organisers have announced more than 180 speakers and over 70 education sessions. Topics include the future of the attractions industry through 2035, AI and personalisation, edutainment, immersive storytelling and the commercial role of food and beverage.[2]
A new Food & Beverage area includes 20 companies. Its addition reflects a wider shift among parks and FECs: food service is increasingly treated as a revenue stream and part of the guest experience rather than a supporting function.[2]
The show will also host several product and project announcements. Vekoma and Efteling plan to present a new family attraction; The Gravity Group, MagicLand and MV Rides will unveil the lead car for a €15 million family wooden coaster scheduled to open in 2027. DOF Robotics is preparing the global debut of SphereFly and a new licensed collaboration with The Smurfs.[2]
Dedicated parts of the programme cover indoor entertainment, theme parks and water attractions. The event also includes networking sessions for FEC, theme park and water park professionals, together with a reception focused on the Middle East and North Africa.[2]
What Central Asian buyers should examine
The size of a trade show is not useful on its own. The important question is whether a product fits the operating model and economics of a specific project.
When evaluating equipment, buyers should check:
- verified hourly capacity and staffing requirements;
- required footprint, ceiling height and engineering loads;
- certification and local approval requirements;
- manufacturing and delivery lead times;
- warranty terms, spare-parts availability and regional service;
- installation, training and commissioning costs;
- total landed cost, including logistics and customs.
Notable themes this year include compact active entertainment and mixed-reality products for FECs, new ride systems, digital guest journeys, licensed IP and formats that can be retrofitted into operating venues. Blooloop’s independent preview also identifies ride systems, immersive experiences, operations, sustainability and guest engagement among the main areas to watch.[3]
UZAMUSE view
For Uzbekistan and Central Asia, the value of IAAPA Expo Europe is the ability to separate an effective demonstration from equipment that can be operated reliably in the region. A strong booth presentation does not answer questions about certification, spare parts, service response, uptime or return on investment.
New products should therefore be assessed against the requirements of an actual project: audience, available space, budget, expected attendance, climate, safety standards and access to technical support. UZAMUSE will follow the most relevant announcements and examine which products can realistically work in parks, FECs and water entertainment projects across Central Asia.
