Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) is set to record its largest edition to date, with current exhibitor numbers up 13% year-on-year.

The event takes place from 6-8 October 2026 at ExCeL London, serving as Europe’s primary trade show for licensing and brand extension.

Over 300 exhibitors representing thousands of licensable brands have confirmed their participation, including 84 first-time exhibitors. Visitor registration remains free of charge until October 5, after which standard passes will be priced at £30.

Showfloor Expansion and Market Overview

The expanded showfloor reflects the continued growth of the global brand licensing sector, currently valued at nearly $400 billion. The incoming exhibitor lineup features companies from key global markets, including six new participants each from the US and China, four from Spain, and three each from the Netherlands, UAE, Italy, and Japan.

• Sports Zone Growth: The dedicated sports section has expanded by 17% year-on-year, welcoming new entrants such as ATP Tour and CR7 Life.
• Heritage & Culture: New cultural participants for 2026 include Tate Enterprises, The National Gallery, The National Trust for Scotland, and René Magritte.
• New Entrants: Major debuts include Universal Music Group alongside 83 other first-time brand showcases.
• Returning Brands: Reconfirmed exhibitors include Warner Bros. Discovery, Mattel, The Lego Group, Paramount Skydance Corporation, Sanrio, BBC Studios, Amazon, Crunchyroll, and Universal Studios.
• Retail & Licensee Attendance: Registered buyers and partners include representatives from Lidl, Decathlon, H&M, Inditex, Tesco, Primark, Pandora, and Clementoni.

Executive Perspective

“The fact so many exhibitors, including 84 new to show, will be at BLE next month is testament to the relevance of this event in Europe, and also the power of brand licensing in business – for brands, for manufacturers, for retailers and for consumers. The industry is now worth nearly $400bn globally,” stated Ella Haynes, Event Director for Brand Licensing Europe.

“What I love this year about BLE is the breadth of businesses on the floor – from huge studios in character and entertainment, to fashion brands, heritage, sport, design, food and beverage, publishing, music and so much more,” Haynes added.

Registration Details

Trade visitors can secure free registration prior to October 5 by visiting the official website here.