Decision to move show from its January slot comes in the face of rising COVID-19 infection rates and further travel restrictions.
Spielwarenmesse will not take place in its traditional January time slot in 2021, instead running in the summer for the first time.
The show had been due to run in Nuremberg from January 27-31, 2021, but organisers took the decision to postpone as a direct result of the persisting COVID-19 pandemic.
For the first time in its long history, the world’s largest toy fair has been postponed until the summer by organiser Spielwarenmesse eG. The decision was made by the supervisory board on September 24 and comes in the face of rising infection rates and further restrictions on travel.
“We very much regret the decision to postpone the Spielwarenmesse 2021,” stated Ernst Kick, ceo of Spielwarenmesse eG.
Preparations for what would have been the 72nd event in January were already well under way. Based on the guidelines of the Bavarian State Government, the Health & Hygiene Concept drawn up in collaboration with the local health authorities and venue operator NürnbergMesse, had been well received by all participants.
However, with the new change in circumstances and concerns over the health of all participants, the organisers believed it would be almost impossible to stage the show and guarantee the customary level of quality at the end of January.
Ernst continued: “I’d like to thank everyone who joined us on this path, and I feel sure that the improvements we have made will benefit all future events and appearances.”
Spielwarenmesse eG is currently in talks with NürnbergMesse to find a suitable date for the show in 2021.
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