The London Book Fair (LBF) will move from Olympia in West London to ExCeL London starting in 2027. The first event at ExCeL is set for March 16 to 18, 2027, as part of a multi-year deal.
The announcement marks the end of an era for the fair, which has been held at Olympia for over a decade and, before that, at Earl’s Court.
Emma Lowe said the main reason for the move is to make the experience better for both exhibitors and visitors.
“We’ve found a place and a partner to deliver our vision for a truly improved show experience,” Lowe said. She described ExCeL as a venue designed for large events and big goals. She pointed out that seating, catering, Wi-Fi, meeting spaces, and transport connections will all be better at ExCeL, which have been ongoing issues at Olympia.
Lowe also confirmed that prices for existing exhibitors will be frozen for the 2027 fair, a move likely to be welcomed by publishers navigating rising costs across the industry.
LBF representatives said the relocation follows extensive consultation with the publishing community and reflects a growing demand for a more inclusive and accessible venue. ExCeL London offers step-free access throughout, accessible toilets, complimentary wheelchair and mobility scooter reservations, and dedicated accessible parking bays.
The new venue is also much larger. It will have wider aisles, more seating in the atrium, better meeting rooms, and more built-in seating on the exhibition floor to help with crowding, which was a common problem at Olympia. ExCeL will also become the permanent home of the International Rights Centre, an important part of the fair.
A major improvement is better digital connectivity. Organisers say ExCeL will be Europe’s first exhibition venue with full 5G, able to support up to 200,000 devices at once. This is a big step up from Olympia’s often-criticised Wi-Fi.
Some long-time attendees may have mixed feelings about moving to East London. When the fair was at ExCeL in 2006, some people thought it was too far from central London. Organisers now say that transport and local infrastructure have improved a lot, especially with the Elizabeth line, making it easier to get to the venue.
Meanwhile, Olympia’s narrow aisles, limited seating, and old facilities have become more noticeable, even though it is in a central location.
With the 2026 fair coming up, set for March 10 to 12 at Olympia, Lowe reflected on the change.
“We’ll bid a fond farewell to Olympia,” she said, “and look forward to the new chapter at ExCeL in 2027.”
For exhibitors, agents, and publishers around the world, this move shows that the London Book Fair wants to modernise its main event. The goal is to keep some traditions while meeting the changing needs of the global publishing industry.